Page 18 - Inclusion and diversity – Partnering for change

Our stories

If the shoe doesn’t fit…

fix it

“It means a lot to feel like I can choose PPE that is the right size
for me, that fits my body well and protects me in my role.”

Jade Gallop, Administrator, Mining Equipment Maintenance

For any employee, the uniform
you wear can play a big role
in how comfortable and
confident you feel in your job.
In formerly male dominated
industries such as resources,
the design of Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) and other
industrial work wear has
historically been centred on male
requirements. For decades, a
culture of ‘making do’ has resulted
in women in these industries
wearing uniforms that don’t fit,
are uncomfortable and impact Watch more here
their sense of belonging in the
workplace.
Blackwoods has undertaken an “The amount of insight we got
“In the past, the women’s range extensive consultation program from the roadshow session was
has been very limited and not to understand the needs of phenomenal and really helped us
suitable for our women in the end-users. So far, this has come up with a terrific industrial
workforce,” said Lorna Kenny, included an Innovation Clothing maternity wear range,” said
Administration Assistant, Roadshow across BHP’s Australian Sandra Alcock, General Manager
Goonyella Riverside Mine operations, where they visited Queensland and Mega-Mining
Maintenance. every site, meeting with more than at Blackwoods.
220 BHP employees, to discuss
In recognition of the critical the improvements required to Following the innovation and
role that uniforms play in an the clothing range. maternity wear workshops,
employee’s sense of belonging Blackwoods incorporated
and safety, BHP has been working They have also hosted a specific employee feedback into a range
with our major materials supplier maternity wear workshop with of new designs. These designs
Blackwoods to redesign PPE and 30 participants, who were were then trialled by those who
work wear to ensure everyone is all pregnant at the time. This attended the workshops and they
proud to put on their uniform, in workshop resulted in the design provided further feedback. The
particular females. Blackwoods of a custom maternity wear range designs were then refined before
has also engaged their major that is fit-for-purpose and that being rolled out across all of BHP’s
supplier – The Work Wear group – expectant mothers actually want Australian operations.
to deliver on these requirements. to wear.

BHP Inclusion and diversity – Partnering for change 16 February 2020