For the longest time, it has been challenging for women in the construction industry to source clothing that fits them for comfort and safety. Until recently, the approach of apparel manufacturers has been to ‘shrink it and pink it’, as reported in a previous IRONPROS story.
Add to that challenge finding maternity construction clothes that accommodate a pregnant woman’s changing body. Fortunately, these manufacturers have risen to the occasion.
National Safety Apparel
National Safety Apparel offers women’s ultrasoft FR (flame resistant) maternity work pants designed by women for women. The fabric material is nine-ounce Westex UltraSoft. The FR fabric is designed so it will not melt, drip, or ignite. The garment is dual certified to protect against flash fire and arc flash hazards. The maternity work pants feature a covered front fly closure, a reinforced front, back and hip pockets as well as leg openings made to fit over work boots. The maternity work pants include a rib knit panel for extra comfort that will grow with its wearer during pregnancy.
The maternity pants are designed for the following compliance: Arc Rating: 12 cal/cm², CAT 2, NFPA 70E, NFPA 2112, CSA Z462, ASTM F1506, and OSHA 1910.269.
In addition to the FR maternity work pants, the National Safety Apparel company has a range of other offering for pregnant women. The Drifire FR Women’s Sports Bra is designed to be lightweight, breathable, and comfortable, offering FR protection with moisture management and odor control technology.
The Women’s TECGEN FR Work Shirt comes in four colors – tan, grey, navy and light blue – and is designed with a feminine silhouette with lightweight, breathable fabric and moisture-wicking properties.
National Safety Apparel also offers the Hautework line of workwear for expectant mothers, including the Luxe FR Pocket Tee, Workday and the Warrior FR Pants described as being as comfortable as yoga pants, and the Just the Basics FR Henley.
The Pink PR Fleece sweatshirt is designed for warmth and comfort. Its relaxed fit and quarter zip are designed for layering. The FR Fleece Zip Up is a Modacrylic blend fleece featuring rib knit cuffs and waistband for a comfortable fit that keeps the cold out. The hoodie provides FR protection and warmth.
Blacklader
Blacklader offers maternity workwear designed to improve the conditions for pregnant women in the construction industry. Maternity work pants come in two models: high vis and service. The neutral design pants are made completely in stretch and come in five sizes XS to XL, with each size having an extension feature to also fit women with longer legs.
The 7100 4-way-stretch high vis maternity pants feature a knitted cuff, loops at the waist for a belt, inner knee protection pocket and are designed to be scratch-free with a magnetic fastening instead of a zip on the pockets. The pants are certified under the EN ISO 20471 standard and are Class 2 high-visibility protective clothing.
The 7101 service stretch maternity work pants are constructed from two-way stretch fabric with a knitted cuff and features loops at the waist for a belt, magnetic buttons and concealed features and four-way stretch panels on the rear, crotch and knees. The pants are designed with an inner knee protection pocket and an optional nail pocket can be added. These pants are certified under the EN 14404:2004+A1:2010 together with knee protection 4057.
Dovetail
Dovetail Workwear – a company run by women for women needing appropriate workwear – features the Maven maternity line of workwear pants.
The Maven slim leg style heavy-duty 12-ounce power stretch denim pants feature the Dovetail Workwear custom Beyond Bellyband design, double-front thigh panels, and a hip slot to hang or clip. The pants have integrated elastic waist inserts, a gusseted crotch, a hidden elastic back waistband, a reinforced knee, a knee slot, eight functional pockets, and a modern tool loop.
The pants are designed for versatile postpartum wear.
COgear
COgear offers maternity work pants, work shirts and cargos in sizes 4 to 26 designed to be safe and comfortable in response to feedback from working pregnant women in need of maternity workwear for heavy industry. That includes hi-visibility over tummy and under tummy hi vis maternity work cargo pant options. The clothing is designed to look like everyday gear to underscore inclusion in the workplace.
Why is the 'shrink it and pink it' method to designing construction workwear for women ineffective? Find out in this IronPros article!