College - Author 1
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Department - Author 1
Construction Management Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Construction Management
Date
4-2023
Primary Advisor/Subject Matter Expert (SME)
Stacy Kolegraff, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Construction Management Department
Abstract/Summary
This paper focuses on the design and construction of safety vests for women, particularly in XS and XXL sizes. Safety vests are an essential piece of protective equipment worn by individuals working in environments requiring high visibility for safety reasons. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) develop safety vest standards to ensure 360-degree visibility of workers, but these standards create limitations in manufacturer’s abilities to create a well-fitted vest for women of smaller stature, particularly in the sizes between XXS and S, as the required square inches of material result in a baggy fit. This project aims to improve the design of safety vests to provide a better fit for women by using a woman-specific bodice block pattern, which addresses the areas of discomfort women have identified with their vests in previous studies. The paper discusses the process of designing and creating a high-visibility safety vest, including the creation of a bodice block, pattern, and vest construction. Both of the resulting vests were measured and compared to ANSI/ISEA standards to determine whether they met the minimum square inch requirements. With more women entering the field of construction, the design of safety vests should be updated to fit their bodies from both a safety and comfort standpoint.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cmsp/669
Poster Board