Best fit forward

THE NECESSITY for women in safety-critical roles to have specifically fitting protective gear has been in ‘the conversation’ for several years - so why do we still hear so many women in these industries saying the same thing? That female PPE provision is falling short.

As well as highlighting how manufacturers can use technology to help revolutionise comfort for female work boot wearers, this piece also asks two key questions. Firstly, why, in a world where the onus on inclusivity has never been greater, is PPE such as safety footwear still lacking for so many women, and secondly, what needs to change to ensure the continued development of truly inclusive safety footwear?

Excitingly, we’ve enlisted several prominent and influential industry voices to illustrate that inclusive safety footwear is more than just product development – it's about developing diversity of thought, attitudes and education.

A digital approach to comfort 

Thanks to CAD (Computer-Aided Design), footwear lasting has developed immeasurably over the last decade, and it means particularly good news for gender-specific footwear. The last is a roughly foot-shaped form made of moulded plastic, carved wood, cast aluminium, or 3D printed plastic. The shape of the last determines the fit, performance, ergonomics, and style of footwear, and is also what makes the specific footwear suitable for the designed use. 

Rather than developing a female foot form by working on a physical last, CAD capabilities now mean manufacturers can partner with research and testing organisations to conduct an in-depth, digital analysis of feet structures by taking female foot scans and incorporating all of these anatomical features into the design. By creating a digitally manipulated blend of these various foot characteristics, footwear generated using this last design process can be a true reflection of the female foot shape. And if the foot scans are taken from different locations across the world, the resulting footwear can also accommodate both the wider European and narrower Asian foot shape. 

And when safety footwear manufacturers undertake a product journey that highlights quite how many differences there are between women’s feet compared to men’s - a narrower ball-width, a smaller Achilles tendon, a shallower big toe, a lower instep, to name only a few - the testimonials from women safety boot wearers and female recruitment and retention statistics in safety-critical industries really start to make sense. 

Figures such as those from Engineering UK, which show while women make up 56% of the workforce of all other occupations, just 7% appear in Engineering and Technology, and more worryingly, the 1,034,000 women working in these sectors in 2022 dropped to 996,000 in 2023. Moreover, a survey by Bath University revealed there were 36% more complaints about foot pain in safety boots from females. 

Katherine Evans, Women’s Safety, PPE and retention specialist, gave us her view on the differences. “The fact is, the female anatomy differs from the male. I don't think there are many adults who don't recognise this, because it's basic biology. So why then are we so quick to forget it at work?”

It’s also important at this point to consider the difference between inclusive production and inclusive provision.

Hannah Coe, technical lead for safety footwear at SATRA, provided a picture of the thinking that now goes into footwear design for females by more manufacturers. “In the past, the women’s ranges we would see would just be smaller sizes within the same size range of footwear. However, we are now seeing an increase in footwear being manufactured on lasts which are more representative of women’s feet.”

This is promising news, but at the same time, it suggests that the issue of women lacking correct-fitting safety footwear isn’t only about availability. We should remember just because more manufacturers are building their safety footwear on women’s lasts, it doesn't mean all companies are procuring it, or indeed promoting it to their customers. 

Katherine Evans added: “We will continue to see women blocked from progressing in industry hierarchy if they aren't given the basics to perform site level tasks. And we will continue to see the same faces, hear the same voices, and obtain the same ideas from those of similar backgrounds who have always made the decisions if we don't start making cultural changes on the ground.”

Katherine’s point reminds us of the difference between the development of a product, and the development of thought diversity. Ultimately, PPE inclusivity has to consist of the right culture, not just the right design and materials.

Inclusive footwear and diabetes

Correct safety footwear for those living with diabetes is also becoming an increasing part of the conversation on inclusive PPE provision. Jayne Robbie, specialist podiatrist, told us: “It is paramount we enable people with diabetes to protect their feet from harm, and this is especially relevant when using safety shoes or indeed any type of footwear. The advice from Diabetes UK is to ensure that footwear and socks are not too tight or loose, and that shoes that don’t fit well can cause all sorts of problems. 

There is currently 'special' footwear/hosiery designed and marketed for people with diabetes, but these products tend to be significantly more expensive and often create the same issues if they don't fit properly. It’s concerning that people with diabetes feel they must pay a lot of money for these products and often still have issues.

It’s about educating people with diabetes and shoe companies to know what to look for, what advice to give and remember that if a shoe doesn't fit, it will likely cause harm.”

So we come to another key point in inclusive footwear development, which is the development of understanding, and avoidance of misconception.

It’s understandable to assume someone with diabetes – a condition where foot health is so critical – requires specialist footwear, whereas in reality, properly fitting/sized boots that are lightweight and breathable are arguably more important. Appropriate too that these basic foot health precepts are being discussed in an inclusive footwear article, because this guidance seems like good practice for someone living with diabetes regardless of whether they use safety or non-safety footwear - and arguably, good foot health practice for any wearer, regardless of their health condition.

Reviewing the facts and our experts’ insights, it’s clear that developing inclusive safety footwear is not only about production, but also about developing an understanding of why inclusivity is so vital. As is often said in the world of footwear, it all starts with the last. But, when it comes to work boots - which include safety components, additional specifications and materials that impact comfort and durability - manufacturers need to stay curious and communicative if they want to develop a truly inclusive range. For example, their lasts might mean a boot will fit a female foot shape, but when it comes to developing industry-specific ranges, are they prepared to design these collections with female workforces in mind, know and study their working conditions, join them on site to discover and understand their safety and comfort challenges and consult them on their style preferences? Understanding the needs and preferences of wearers is vital to the provision of comfortable fit for purpose safety footwear.

Matthew Roberts is ccontent creator at V12. For more information, visit www.v12footwear.com