CIOB announces #PPEthatfits campaign

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has launched an initiative to address widespread inequalities in PPE provision across the construction industry.

The #PPEthatfits campaign will drive awareness around the lack of inclusive PPE in the market. It will consider how this is having an impact on and safety on site, while also hampering the industry’s ability to attract and retain a more diverse workforce.

CIOB, in partnership with CIOB People and sister publication Construction Management, will use the campaign to explore the key changes that are needed across the industry, as well as highlighting positive examples of inclusive and adaptive PPE.

Speaking at a recent roundtable event to mark the launch of the campaign, CIOB president Sandi Rhys Jones insisted that an urgent step-change is needed in construction’s approach to PPE, calling on contractors, manufacturers and policymakers to take action.

“At the Chartered Institute of Building, we are determined to make a difference in this area,” said Rhys Jones.

“These are people’s issues,” she added. “It’s particularly important for women, but there are men [who are important to this change] as well. We don’t want to be exclusive, we want to be inclusive.”

The event was attended by key stakeholders from across the industry, who provided detailed insight of why PPE must be sensitive to differences across the workforce – including gender, race and religion, for example – while maintaining the highest safety standards.

Find more information about the #PPEthatfits campaign and launch event here.