1. Selection of Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment for Women in Mining (Protective clothing, Ablution and Sanitary facilities)
The incidence is 834/ in the general population and 884 / in the mining sector
WIM Workshop – Polokwane
11 October 2017

2. Introduction
Traditionally, the mining industry has been a male-dominated sector.
As a result, available personal protective equipment (PPE) has been designed to suit the male physique.
Compared to their male counterparts, WIM have unique and special health and safety needs resulting from their anatomical and physiological makeup.
The provision of gender-appropriate PPE
Thus PPE provided for WIM needs to be designed in line with:
the physiological and anatomical being of female mine workers
be based upon female anthropometric (body measurement) data
Nature of mining environment
Nature of work performed 14

3. Findings of the survey Unhygienic toilet facilities
Other contributory factors
1. Underwear as a contributory factor to infections, chaffing and rashes
All participants reported that they were using nylon tights as undergarments to prevent friction caused by the overall fabric from rubbing against the skin.
2. Access and hygiene conditions of underground toilets
Unhygienic toilet facilities
Toilet paper not provided
Lack of hand washing facilities
Lack of sanitary bins
No demarcation of ablution per gender
Inadequate space inside the ablution facility

4. Examples of ill-fitting PPE among WIM

5. Challenges of ill-fitting PPE

6. Demarcated ablution facility

7. Ablution facility

8. Ablution facilities

9. Ablution facility

10. Thank you MHSC Disclaimer:
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