About Us
Business Vision
Our vision is to empower and equip women in the mining industry with the first patented overall designed exclusively for them. We aim to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and foster inclusivity in a traditionally male-dominated field, ensuring that women feel confident, comfortable, and safe while pursuing their careers in mining.
Business Mission
Our mission is to revolutionize the mining sector by providing women with innovative, functional, and ergonomic overalls that cater to their unique needs. Through meticulous design, advanced materials, and thoughtful features, we are dedicated to enhancing both the practical aspects and the overall experience of women working in mining and industry. Our patented overall will not only offer exceptional durability and functionality but also serve as a symbol of equality and progress within the industry.
WHY FFC OVERALLS FOR WOMEN IN MINING & INDUSTRY?
On 28 July 2023, the Chief Inspector of Mines introduced a new Guideline for a Mandatory Code of Practice (COP) for the Selection and Provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Women in the South African Mining Industry (2023 Guideline). While the 2023 Guideline retains the core elements of the version first published in 2015 under section 49(6) of the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA), the new guideline seeks to address the reality of issues faced by Women in Mining (WIM).
The 2023 Guideline recognises the importance of addressing women’s unique health and safety concerns around work attire, particularly ill-fitting PPE designed for a male body, which can impact their comfort, mobility, and dignity in the mining industry.
The objective of the guideline is to provide a framework within which all South African mines must compile and implement a mandatory code of practice addressing the provision of PPE for WIM. This framework should take into account the unique health and safety concerns faced by women in various work roles, from underground miners to engineers and managers. The 2023 Guideline provides guidelines on the selection of PPE.
A significant addition in the 2023 Guideline is a summary of the SIMRAC Research Project SIM 10 09 04, which identified safety concerns related to PPE use for WIM. The research project revealed that women in mining encounter challenges related to using ablution facilities or changing their sanitary products while wearing standard issue PPE. Ill-fitting PPE, such as overalls designed for a male body, can be challenging to remove, making it difficult for women to address their sanitary needs. The research indicated many women avoided using ablution facilities or drinking water while on site. The health risks associated with dehydration (especially in high heat environments), ignoring the urge to urinate, and prolonged gaps between changing sanitary products drastically affects the health, safety, and dignity of WIM.
Building on the findings of the SIMRAC research, the 2023 Guideline emphasises the need for selecting and procuring PPE to ensure that the selected protective equipment is suitable for WIM, considering their anatomical and physiological attributes.
To improve the provision of appropriate PPE for WIM, the 2023 Guideline advocates an approach towards selecting and providing PPE that considers ergonomics and comfort, taking into account the dimensions and individual attributes of women. A woman’s body should not be a barrier to her future.
This updated Guideline for a Mandatory Code of Practice (COP) for the Selection and Provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) represents a symbol of equality and progress within the industry
The FFC Overall was designed in consultation with WIM and accommodates the broad range of sizes and designs that better suit the female anatomy as it is a one piece overall designed for a woman’s body that converts into a two piece – separated by zips or buttons.
