Truewerk clothing for women. Credit: Rick DeLay
The U.S. Department of Labor’s July 2023 proposed rulemaking announcement clarifying the construction industry personal protective equipment (PPE) standard as the current standard doesn’t clearly state PPE must fit each affected employee properly moves closer in addressing health and safety concerns, especially for the 11 percent of women in the construction workforce.
A J. J. Keller Center for Market Insights poll shows women still have trouble finding well-fitting PPE as ‘pink it and shrink it’ has been the traditional approach.
Manufacturers such as Truewerk are answering the call. I reviewed three apparel types to determine how effectively it does.
B2 Quarter Zip
Truewerk clothing for women. Credit: Rick DeLay
Truewerk created the women’s B2 Quarter Zip shirt for times when a T-shirt provides insufficient protection, yet excessive bulk is undesirable.
In my testing of this shirt through various conditions, it performed well for which it is designed.
The 180 GSM shirt is 100D 88 percent polyester and 12 percent spandex, Jersey knit, brushed on both sides for comfort and has wicking treatment. The mid-weight, long sleeved shirt with a 9-inch zipper is indeed warm, quite comfortable and enables good range of motion, even in layering. The abrasion and tear-resistant material from which it is made does ensure it can stand up to any task.
One significant factor: the B2 Quarter Zip shirt is enhanced through two reflective eye sights at the back of the neck. Combined with high-visibility fabrics, they serve as an additional safety feature to reflect back light in dimly-lit work sites. Other features include a locker loop.
Women’s T2 Werkpants
Truewerk clothing for women. Credit: Rick DeLay
Truewerk’s softshell T2 WerkPants were inspired by professional mountain guides and elite military personnel technical apparel. That attention to detail is apparent in the double-woven softshell women’s T2 WerkPants, fashioned from 50 percent nylon, 40 percent polyester and 10 percent Spandex.
They are designed for optimal comfort and job performance from fall to spring. I put them to the test during a week of fluctuating weather conditions: cool and warm temperatures and rain. They resisted abrasion and tears and offered optimal range of motion and comfort throughout various tasks. Durability is amplified though Durable Water Repellent treatment, four-way stretch, double-stitched seams, windproof material, articulated knees, two-button front closure and a gusseted inseam.
Instant access to what is needed is possible through a pencil holder; two hand pockets, rear pockets and right thigh phone pockets and one small right hip zip pocket and left thigh utility pocket with an insert flap.
T-1 Overalls
Truewerk clothing for women. Credit: Rick DeLay
Women construction workers seeking abrasion and tear-resistant lightweight softshell overalls designed for warmer weather will find it in Truewerk’s T-1 Overalls. The 176 GSM overalls feature 70D, 85 percent nylon and 15 percent spandex, double-woven fabric, soft fabric backing and four-way stretch.
Adjustable shoulder straps have no metal buckles or clips. Articulated knees with removable knee pads are a plus for tasks requiring kneeling. The reinforced elasticized waistband ensures a comfortable fit and optimal range of motion. Float yarns on the back of legs help a worker keep cool. Interior wicking treatment is designed to transport sweat away from the body four times faster than untreated fabric.
Two pencil holders and numerous loops and pockets with insert flap and two hand pockets and two rear pockets enabled me to carry all I needed for my tasks at hand. I found the overalls performed well through the completion of rugged tasks.
Workwear for Women
In reviewing the Truewerk shirt, pants and overalls, it is easy to see how the brand – even though it is less than 10 years old – is achieving its mission to offer heavy-duty work clothes that can withstand rugged conditions without restricting movement on the jobsite. Each piece of apparel tested offered safety, comfort and ease of movement.
As for whether to choose overalls or a pants and a shirt combination for construction work, that depends on job site factors and worker preferences. The work task, jobsite weather conditions, desired comfort and protection level and safety consideration should dictate the choice.
