Female forest workers get purpose-built safety workwear

Monday 13 October 2025

Female forest workers get purpose-built safety workwear

• First chainsaw protection equipment designed specifically for women's bodies launches
• Forestry England staff to benefit from properly fitting safety gear
• Initiative aims to attract more women into forestry careers 

Female forest workers can finally wear chainsaw protection equipment designed specifically for their bodies, bringing an end to years of using ill-fitting men's workwear that compromised both safety and comfort.

Forestry England's investment has enabled the range of female fit workwear to be developed by manufacturer Arbortec. The design and production process has involved extensive testing and feedback from female forest workers for the first time.  Through the collaboration, two versions of women’s-fit chainsaw trousers are being launched. The top range called Breatheflex Pro, are available from today alongside work jackets; a mid-range version of the chainsaw trousers will be following soon. Chainsaw gloves and boots are set to join the collection over the next few months when designs for those are finalised.

This positive step tackles longstanding workplace challenges in forestry, where female workers have made do with men's equipment. Forestry England's female forest workers have shared experiences of being swamped in extra-small men's shirts, constantly adjusting oversized sleeves, and using tape to secure loose men’s chainsaw trousers.

The investment demonstrates Forestry England's dedication to building a truly inclusive forestry sector that welcomes talent from all backgrounds. With 44% of Forestry England's workforce identifying as female, properly fitting safety equipment removes a significant barrier to women's full participation in fulfilling forestry careers.

Mike Seddon, Forestry England Chief Executive, said:

“Our female staff working in the nation’s forests bring their professionalism and passion to work every day to ensure these special places thrive in the decades ahead. I’m proud Forestry England could take the lead in investing in this workwear range. It means vital equipment is now available for them and for women across the forestry industry. We are committed to becoming a more diverse workforce representing the people we serve and will continue to champion women in Forestry England, removing barriers to them progressing and fulfilling their potential wherever we find them.” 

Fahra Collins, Forestry England Training Delivery Manager, said: 

"We're thrilled to finally offer our female colleagues the properly fitting equipment they deserve. This is safety-driven and also about comfort, ensuring every member of our workforce feels valued and protected while doing the important work of caring for our nation's forests. We hope this will inspire more women to consider rewarding careers in forestry knowing their needs will be met and they can contribute their skills and talents."

Win Brothers, Arbortec Marketing Manager, said:

"Designing chainsaw protection for women wasn’t just about resizing—it was about rethinking fit, movement, and comfort from the ground up. We worked closely with female forestry professionals to ensure every detail reflects their needs in the field. This range is a milestone in safety wear, and we’re proud to help make forestry more inclusive, one garment at a time."

Arbortec has safety-tested the female fit equipment in its test laboratory using controlled chainsaw impact simulations, ensuring women's protection meets the same high standards as men's equipment.

The range will be available to the broader forestry industry, helping position the sector as increasingly welcoming to women working in forestry and arboriculture organisations.