blisters on toes from constant rubbing.’ Some of the
ill-effects were reported as being the result of using poor
quality items. One respondent stated: ‘Boots, cheap
made ones not flexible enough, causing blisters.’
Others however, were clear that the ill-effects were the
result of utilising equipment that did not fit them suffi-ciently.
For example, one respondent said they experi-enced
‘bruised knees as knee pad areas on boiler suits
are near my ankles due to leg lengths.’ Similarly, another
stated the ill-effects were a consequence of: ‘wearing
boots that were too small as nothing else available.’
One question in the survey asked seafarers if the
shipping company they work for has a specific procedure
for reporting problems with PPE. The responses to this
question varied substantially, with some stating their
employer to have no procedure whatsoever and others
saying they had a formal procedure including investiga-tions
carried out by the shipping company when any
problems with PPE were reported.
GENDER
This questionnaire did not specifically set out
to focus on PPE and gender, as we already
know from previous research that PPE is
designed and manufactured based on the
sizes and characteristics of male populations
from certain regions and thus it was likely
that some males, such as those who were
particularly tall or short might also experience
problems with PPE. Nevertheless, since the design
of PPE is known to be focused on males, the questionnaire
asked: Do you think there are any problems with PPE
which are related to your gender? Some 82% of females
stated yes, whilst only 1% of males did. In answering what
50 SUOMEN MERENKULKU J FINLANDS SJÖFART
she thought the problems were, one female stated: ‘Boiler
suits are issued in large sizes, safety shoes are often
very wide as they are men’s, gloves are usually too big.
Uniform is often issued to women in men’s sizes. I have
often found that smaller sizes are not kept onboard.’
Similarly, another stated: ‘Not small enough shoe sizes,
clothing doesn’t fit around hips well and can bunch up or
can’t get the clothing past your hips. Struggling to fasten
clothing across chest so either leave open or it gapes
open so have to wear T-shirt or something similar
underneath.’
Research from other industries indicates that PPE can
be a particular issue to women. In 2016 the Trades Union
Congress conducted a survey of women workers in various
shore-based industries including the Police and Coast-guard.
Some 57% of women who participated in that
survey reported that their PPE sometimes or significantly
hampered their work.
USE OF PPE
The participants were asked about their use of
PPE, and 41% of respondents stated that there
were occasions when they had not used it.
Many of the respondents’ reasons for not
using PPE relate to certain items being
ill-fitting or unsuitable for a particular task.
For example, one stated: ‘I have occasion-ally
not donned boiler suit as it is poorly fitting
for very quick tasks.’ Another stated: ‘Due to
OFTEN FOUND
SMALLER SIZES
ARE NOT KEPT
ONBOARD”
issues the white safety shoes have caused to my
”I HAVE
feet I have found myself on mooring stations with white
trainers.’
Seafarers not using PPE is concerning. In a safety
critical industry in which it is not possible to remove all