Ill-fitting PPE is leaving thousands of women in logistics feeling unsafe and overlooked, as new figures expose a persistent gender gap in workplace clothing.
Research cited by Logistics UK shows that 70% of women in operational roles have been forced to wear poorly fitting workwear, often adapted from designs originally made for men. The industry body warns that the issue is not only a matter of comfort, but also a serious safety concern.
At the same time, it says the lack of suitable clothing risks deterring women from entering a sector that is already struggling to recruit.
Despite logistics traditionally being male-dominated, the workforce is shifting. The number of female road transport drivers has surged by 322% over the past four years, while the number of women in director roles across logistics, warehousing and transport has risen by 36%.
Tim Hyde, head of retail operations at Logistics UK, said women are playing an increasingly vital role in keeping goods moving across the UK, but are still being underserved when it comes to essential equipment.
“Women fulfil crucial roles in logistics and are a critical part of a sector that ensures the smooth movement of goods around the country,” he said.
He added that too often, “women’s workwear is simply produced in smaller sizes of products originally designed for men”, which can make it uncomfortable and more difficult to work in.
Hyde stressed that the issue goes beyond inconvenience. “The correct and appropriate clothing is not just a question of comfort and the proper fit, but also safety,” he said.
“If female workers are allocated poor fitting workwear, they may simply choose not to use it, which effectively means they are being denied appropriate equipment to carry out their jobs safely.”
Further findings underline the scale of the problem. More than half of women surveyed (58%) said they feel uncomfortable in their workwear, while nearly a quarter (24%) reported feeling unsafe on the job as a result.
Hyde warned that such barriers could undermine efforts to attract more women into the sector at a critical time. “The logistics sector is crying out for new talent, but a lack of appropriate workwear has the potential to discourage women from joining what is a fantastic and dynamic sector,” he said.
He acknowledged that sourcing properly designed clothing for women has historically been difficult, but said options are improving, including ranges now available through the Logistics UK Shop.
“Women should not have to compromise or make do with clothing that does not fit properly,” he added. “They deserve to have access to the very best, size-appropriate workwear.”
The organisation said it is working with suppliers including Blåkläder to expand access to clothing designed specifically for women, using feedback from female workers to improve fit and functionality.
Logistics UK, which represents businesses across road, rail, air and water freight, said addressing such issues will be key as the sector adapts to wider changes including decarbonisation, new technology and ongoing workforce shortages.