BS 30417: A New Standard for Inclusive PPE

Leo Workwear welcomes this important milestone for workplace safety and equality: the launch of BS 30417, Provision of Inclusive PPE Guide, this Autumn. Due to be published at the end of September, with an official launch event in London on 7th October, the new voluntary British Standard sets out clear guidance for employers, specifiers, and suppliers on how to ensure PPE is inclusive, accessible, and fit for all who rely on it. 

The standard addresses that for too long, a “one size fits all” PPE approach has been the norm. In reality, this has meant that women and other minorities within these industries, have had to choose from a narrow selection of equipment typically designed for the male body from Europe and the US. The consequences have been serious: reports show that over 80% of women experience problems with PPE; 57% say ill-fitting PPE hampers their work; and many admit to using workarounds or going without certain items altogether. 

A Collective Push for Change 

The journey to BS 30417 has been driven by the voices of women on the front line, working in the industries where these garments are required. From healthcare workers improvising during the pandemic to construction professionals highlighting how ill-fitting PPE has affected their careers, their testimonies have made clear that inclusion in PPE is not a “nice to have” but a matter of safety, dignity, and equality. 

Leo celebrate the changemakers that have worked hard to bring about change, campaigns like #PPEthatfits by the CIOB, the research carried out by NAWIC and the hard work of Katherine Evans and the Bold as Brass network have shown how grassroots action can influence policy and standards. The women who have championed this issue, often against resistance, deserve recognition as pioneers who have pushed the industry forward. 

Over the years, many champions have worked with Leo to develop new inclusive products; Including Lena Begum, who was instrumental in working with Leo in designing the Lily Modesty Tunic and Amall Saleh from Tarmac, who assisted in the development of the Leo Hijab. 

Amall Saleh from Tarmac wearing the Leo Hijab

Why BS 30417 Matters 

The introduction of this new standard is more than just a technical update. It represents a cultural shift in how we think about safety equipment. Key takeaways from BS 30417 include: 

• Selection & Procurement – Encouraging employers to look beyond cost and consider inclusivity as a core part of risk management. 

• Training & Maintenance – Ensuring all workers understand how PPE should fit and function, and that adjustments are available where needed. 

• Accessibility & Dignity – Moving away from “unisex” designs and offering genuine options for all end users, without creating secondary risks or unnecessary visual distinctions. 

  
  

For employers, adopting BS 30417 isn’t just about compliance. It’s about creating workplaces where everyone feels valued, protected, and able to perform at their best. 

Looking Ahead 

The publication of BS 30417 is a landmark moment, but it’s also the beginning of a longer journey. To make inclusive PPE the norm, organisations across the supply chain, from manufacturers to buyers, will need to embrace these principles and challenge the old assumptions of “one size fits all.” 

Leo Workwear and Inclusive Design 

At Leo Workwear, inclusivity has long been part of our DNA. As specialists in high visibility clothing, we were the first to introduce a dedicated women’s range, recognising early on that scaling down men’s garments was not the answer. Our design process has always focused on comfort, safety, and dignity, ensuring that wearers of all shapes and sizes can do their jobs without compromise. 

While BS 30417 will provide official guidance, many of the principles it sets out, from offering choice in fit and style to avoiding unnecessary “points of difference” between genders, are values we have worked to embed for years. 

We are proud to have contributed to this conversation and to continue supporting businesses that want to implement inclusive PPE. Most of all, we celebrate the women whose persistence, advocacy, and expertise have made BS 30417 a reality. Their efforts will help shape safer, fairer workplaces for generations to come. 

Further reading: Whitepaper “Enabling the provision of inclusive PPE”, BSI: https://www.bsigroup.com/siteassets/pdf/en/insights-and-media/insights/white-papers/uk-ks-nsb-thght-nss-hsw-other-mp-bs30417nsbpromotion-0025-prelaunchwpaper.pdf 

Check on the status of the standard: https://standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com/projects/2024-02013