PPE for Women virtual event covers wide range of issues, draws nearly 900 attendees

The PPE for Women event, presented by OHS Canada, features a stellar lineup of speakers from across the country.

OHS Canada’s special event, PPE for Women, ran today from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET.

Nearly 900 professionals from across Canada registered for this critical discussion.

“As we all know, personal protective equipment (PPE) is an essential part of the workplace safety puzzle. It not only helps prevent injuries and illnesses, but also promotes a culture of safety within our workplaces,” said Todd Humber, senior editor for OHS Canada. “Unfortunately, not all PPE is created equal, and often women face unique challenges when it comes to accessing PPE that fits them properly and provides adequate protection.”

Silvana Maiolo, brand sales manager for OHS Canada, said she was excited about the lineup of speakers and panelists taking part in the discussion.

“Our opening keynote speaker, Jennifer Teague from CSA Group, will share with us the results of a groundbreaking study that sheds light on the challenges women face with PPE. Her insights will help guide our discussions as we explore both the problems and potential solutions to this issue,” said Maiolo.

Teague, vice-president of research and planning, walked attendees through the CSA Group’s groundbreaking report that found just six per cent of Canadian women say the personal protective equipment (PPE) they wear is designed for them.

That has led them to make troubling modifications, using things like duct tape, to get through the day. This compromises the safety of the workers, as the modifications may be making the PPE less effective.

The panel discussions featured voices from across the country, in a wide range of industries. Panelists included:

• Nicole Wetsch, manager, occupational health and safety section, Edmonton Police Service
• Lora McMillan, director, special projects, Ledcor Construction Limited
• Karen Mosca, senior manager of operations, Pembina Pipeline Corporation
• Paula Campkin, Energy Safety Canada
• Jennifer Khan, head of inclusive diversity, EllisDon
• Kiran Kapoor, vice president, service delivery, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
• Chantel Verbin, manager of operations procurement, supply chain, Pembina Pipeline Corporation
• Leslie Molin, market segment manager for personal safety, Levitt-Safety.

In the coming weeks, OHS Canada will be covering this session in-depth. Stay tuned for more information.