Never be Nude on Site: A Coverall Story
The Moment That Sparked It All
I remember as a newly graduated engineer that my first “real” job was being sent out into the field to learn how to drill boreholes, collect soil samples, and conduct site investigations. It was also the first time I asked, “Where is the bathroom?” and was pointed to a stand of trees.
That same day, I decided this was a problem for me to solve. I found a link online for a 5-gallon bucket with an attachable toilet seat and a small pop-up tent — my very own portable outhouse! It wasn’t glamorous, but after my prickly encounter with the trees earlier that day, it was a HUGE improvement.
I sent the links to my boss with the caption, “I have solved our field bathroom issues!” The reply? Laughter and no permission to purchase. That set the tone for the rest of my time at that company. I was there to get work done, not solve problems.
The Problem I Couldn’t Unsee
Fast-forward 10 years and I find myself at a consulting firm when I hear from the hallway, “… and I peed on my coveralls AGAIN.” An engineer had been on site, had to do a nature pee, and as it happens – she accidentally soaked her coveralls. And she had to keep working in urine-soaked coveralls. I knew that feeling.
Something in my brain clicked, and I popped my head into the hallway to ask, “If I made you coveralls that you didn’t have to drop on the ground—would you wear them?” The answer was emphatically “Yes!!”
Building the First Prototype
Unlike that original 5-gallon pail toilet, I couldn’t find anything to match what I saw in my mind. I was looking for a blue FR coverall with striping that had a trap door on the back. There were some women-only options available but none with stripes and none with FR. So, I started buying any old FR Coveralls on Facebook Marketplace and cutting them up in the basement. Even with limited tailoring experience, I knew it was possible.
I seam-ripped my way through challenges into a simple, elegant change: a semi-separable rear access panel that conveniently zips up and hides away.
The name wrote itself: NeverNude Coveralls. Because you never want to be nude on site again.
Changing the Way We Think About PPE
One thing I’ve learned is that we don’t talk about going to the bathroom. We have tailgate sheets that discuss every possible outcome on the site—for safe work and for emergencies. However, there are no spaces on our safety sheets about where and how to go to the bathroom safely. If you have a portable toilet on site, this seems like a non-issue. But most sites I worked on were temporary sites that were active for less than 24 hours and had no portable toilets required. Why is this not on the safety sheet?
There are significant physical and mental issues that can snowball if you continually delay or deny bathroom access when the urge is there. This is a health and safety issue that we need to talk about.
So, now I talk about it: at conferences, on LinkedIn, wherever I can. I make free worksheets so you can talk to your HR or OH&S reps about getting the conversation started. We are losing daily dignity when everyone is too embarrassed to be the first one to bring it up.
Where We Are Now
NeverNude Coveralls has completed a pilot project in the potash mining sector in Saskatchewan and is looking to run more pilot projects for units of up to 100 coveralls for companies that are committed to create dignified, inclusive work environments. We recognize coveralls vary by site, and we’re happy to alter any good-condition FR coveralls. We are also currently working on partnering manufacturers to distribute to a larger audience. You can contact us about pilot projects for your workplace, purchasng FR2-altered coveralls and personal FR Coverall alterations on our website: Mekomi Solutions
Why This Still Matters
When women make up less than 10 percent of the workforce in an industry (e.g. Mining, Oil & gas etc.), having a solution that is gender-based can be seen as a poor investment. NeverNude Coveralls are inclusive and work for everyone—because we all deserve a dignified bathroom break.
I found that as soon as I made this an inclusive rather than exclusive issue, conversations with decision-makers were much more open. Were these coveralls designed by a woman for other women? Yes. But everyone can benefit from their own pair of NeverNude Coveralls.
In a world where attracting and retaining talent is increasingly challenging, solutions like these offer a small but essential promise: dignity every day, at every bathroom trip. Designing for dignity and inclusion creates environments where people don’t just show up—they stay. And that is how we build a future where everyone belongs.
Melissa Kober Meier, P.Eng., PMP is a geotechnical engineer turned entrepreneur and the founder of Mekomi Solutions, creator of NeverNude™ Coveralls—innovative FR/AR protective gear designed with discreet bathroom access built-in. With over a decade in fieldwork, Melissa uses her technical expertise, creative problem-solving, and lived experience to bridge gaps in workplace safety, inclusivity, and dignity. She has led pilot projects in Canada’s potash mining industry, speaks regularly on bathroom access as a safety issue, and is building partnerships to scale her solution. Melissa lives in Edmonton, AB, Canada, and is driven by her mission to help women—and all field workers—work with safety, dignity, and respect.