BAM Nuttall has unveiled plans for a national roll out of work clothing specifically designed for women.

Following trials on a number of sites in London, Leeds, Newcastle and Scotland, the Arco-manufactured clothing will include polo shirts, jackets, waistcoats and trousers. Further plans include developing safety helmets, gloves, goggles and boots.

The line of clothing that was trialled also featured an alternative version of BAM Nuttall's "Don't Walk By" logo. Designed to encourage people to address anything that they think is wrong, damaged or dangerous on site, the new one has a silhouette of a female construction worker on it.

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Phil Cullen, Health & Safety Director of BAM Nuttall, said traditional construction clothing worn on site has been designed for men.

"What the group of BAM Nuttall female workers tested was not about vanity but addressed comfort, practicalities and safety to ensure that we can do our jobs to the best of our abilities," he said.

"The tailored trousers for example are easier to walk in than the oversized men's versions they have traditionally worn. They don't have to pull the trousers up high or turn up the legs to make them fit which then means that the pockets are in the wrong place or the reflective safety strips may be hidden."

Michaela Cox, Key Account Manager – Construction and Rail at Arco, said: "It has been great to work with BAM Nuttall around a range of clothing for their female site operatives.

"Our core purpose is to keep people safe at work, and we want women to feel comfortable and professional without the distractions of ill-fitting hazardwear, but most of all we want them to feel confident that their PPE is keeping them safe when there are potentially hazardous conditions."

(LM)