My Body, My PPE: Global Safety Equity and the AWESOME Alliance
Sally Morse joins Natasha Ozybko to discuss the "My Body, My PPE" global survey results, the formation of AWESOME, and the business case for women's safety gear.
In this twenty-first episode of Conversations with MOXY, host Natasha Ozybko welcomes back repeat guest Sally Morse, co-founder of Spectra Supply and Unify Safety Supply. The discussion focuses on the critical need for gender-specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), the launch of the global "My Body, My PPE" campaign, and the formation of AWESOME (Alliance of Women’s Safety Apparel Manufacturers).
The "My Body, My PPE" Campaign
The episode centers on a global advocacy effort to address the dangerous void in the market for women's safety gear.
The Survey A worldwide survey (available at mybodymyppe.org) was launched to collect data on how ill-fitting PPE impacts women in trades.
Staggering Statistics Preliminary data reveals that 70% of women lack access to female-specific PPE in their workplace, and 40% have reported an injury or incident directly caused by ill-fitting gear.
The Advocacy Goal The collected data will be compiled into a white paper to lobby for legislative changes and industry standard shifts, moving the issue from "vanity" to "life-safety".
AWESOME: The Alliance of Women’s Safety Apparel Manufacturers
Sally Morse is one of the eleven founders of AWESOME, a group of women manufacturers dedicated to creating properly fitted safety apparel. The mission of the organization focuses on three pillars: Awareness of existing brands, Access to products for corporationms and individuals, and Advocacy for legislative change. Membership in AWESOME is restricted to manufacturers who use biometrics and research-based sizing for women, rather than those who simply "shrink and pink" men’s designs.
The Business Case for PPE Equity
Natasha and Sally emphasize that providing the right gear is a strategic retention and risk-management tool.
Preventable Risks 66% of women report that poor gear hinders their ability to work safely. Organizations risk multi-million dollar lawsuits for injuries that are 100% preventable by providing accessible gear.
Retention and Loyalty Investing in proper PPE signals to employees that they are valued, which increases loyalty and helps attract the female workforce necessary to solve current labor shortages.
Education Sally actively visits technical schools to educate new tradeswomen on what gear is available so they can advocate for themselves on day one of a job.
Conclusion: Small Shifts for Massive Impact
Sally concludes by urging leaders to move past the "asinine" justifications for ignoring women's safety. She advocates for the mantra "each one teach one," noting that making small, 1% or 2% incremental changes in an organization’s approach to safety and inclusion can accumulate into a massive industry shift.