FINALLY: OSHA SAYS YOUR PPE HAS TO ACTUALLY FIT

No more drowning in gear made for dudes twice your size. If you're in construction, landscaping, or any job where safety-toes beat stilettos every time, you know the struggle of finding work gear that fits right—especially if you’re a woman. Baggy vests, floppy gloves, boots that feel like bricks... yeah, we’ve all been there.

Well, great news: as of January 2025, OSHA’s officially cracking down. Now it’s law—female PPE and workwear for women must actually fit the person wearing it. Not sort of. Not “eh, close enough.” FIT.

What OSHA Changed (And Why It’s a Big Deal)

OSHA issued a final rule updating its PPE standard for the construction industry. The key upgrade? Employers must provide properly fitting personal protective equipment (PPE) for every worker—yes, that includes women. It’s the first time in decades that “one-size-fits-all” got called out for the nonsense it is.

If your vest is two sizes too big and turns into a wind sock, or your boots leave enough toe room to smuggle lunch, that’s a safety hazard. And now, it’s a violation too.

The Fight for Functional Female PPE

Let’s be real—most PPE wasn’t built with women in mind. For decades, women’s workwear meant slapping some pink on a men’s medium and calling it a day. That’s not just lazy—it’s dangerous.

Roughly 1 in 10 workers in the skilled trades is a woman, and more are joining every day. That means workwear for women is no longer a niche—it’s a necessity. Ill-fitting gear leads to:

• Tripping hazards
• Glove snags and tool slips
• Reduced visibility
• Blisters, bruises, and fatigue

If your female PPE is more of a liability than a layer of protection, you’re not just uncomfortable—you’re at risk.

What This Means for You (and Your Crew)

If you're a tradeswoman—or just someone tired of swimming in your gear—you’ve got new rights on your side. And if you’re the boss? Time to get with the program.

1. Measure Like You Mean It

Employers need to stop guessing and start measuring. PPE should be based on actual body dimensions—yes, even for smaller sizes or curvier shapes. Chest, waist, inseam, hands, feet… get the numbers and get the gear.

2. Stock Real Women’s Workwear

RefrigiWear makes real-deal workwear for women—not just shrunken men’s clothes. We deliver female PPE in sizes up to 3XL. We’re talking insulated jackets that fit curves, bibs that don’t bag, and boots that don’t feel like bricks.

3. Test It in the Field

PPE isn’t just about wearing it—it’s about working in it. Can you lift, bend, grip, and hustle without feeling like your vest is trying to strangle you? If not, it ain’t right. Don’t settle.

4. Update Your Safety Plans

Employers: your safety policy needs to reflect the new rules. Spell out how PPE should fit and when it needs replacing. Workers should know exactly how to get better gear if theirs doesn’t fit.

When PPE Fits, Everyone Wins

Here’s the thing—if your PPE for women actually fits, you’re more likely to wear it. Sounds obvious, but too many workers ditch uncomfortable gear just to get through the shift. That’s a shortcut straight to the ER.

Properly fitting gear means better compliance, fewer accidents, and a way less miserable workday. Plus, nobody wants to fight their clothes while they’re trying to do actual work.

Say Goodbye to “Shrink It & Pink It”

Ladies, you’ve put up with second-rate female PPE for long enough. This new OSHA rule? It’s your green light to speak up. No more settling for oversized gloves, baggy clothes, or boots made for someone else's feet. OSHA’s backing you up now.

So demand women’s workwear that works as hard as you do. You’re out there grinding, sweating, and lifting just like the rest of the crew—you deserve gear that fits, protects, and doesn’t make the job harder than it already is.

Time to Gear Up Right

It doesn’t matter if you're hauling bricks, grinding stumps, or laying concrete—safety workwear for women is no longer optional. It’s law. So don’t let anyone tell you “we only have men’s sizes” like that’s your problem to solve.

You’ve earned gear that fits. Gear that protects. Gear that was made for you. Get RefrigiWear insulated workwear made for women now.