Severn Trent’s 26-year-old water quality scientist Aminah Shafiq designed the first PPE headscarf, advancing engineering inclusivity.
Photo from Google
Innovative PPE Headwear: Bridging Gaps and Enhancing Inclusivity in the Workplace
Aminah started this initiative to fill a gap in the company’s PPE offerings to solve her on-site challenges. Aminah wanted to remove the pain of regular PPE that required changes for her headscarf.
Aminah said, “Your choice of clothing shouldn’t be a barrier to the career you want.” Her motivation arose from personal experiences adjusting her headscarf under PPE jackets and ill-fitting hard hats. She wanted everyone to come to work prepared and safe.
Aminah developed the PPE headwear prototype with Pulsar in 2021. The design is currently available worldwide and made of comfortable materials. The fit is optimized to minimize adjustments and cover hair. The snug fit of sports headscarves, which fit nicely under helmets, inspired Aminah.
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Breaking Barriers and Inspiring Inclusivity in Engineering with PPE Headscarf Innovation
Aminah wants to remove restrictions that prevent Muslim women from becoming engineers. Aminah aspires to inspire many Muslim girls to pursue her field by solving her problems. She said, “The last few years have been a whirlwind, but If just one person now feels like they can take up a career in engineering after seeing that companies have access to the PPE headscarf, then it’s all been worth it.”
Aminah’s project emphasizes workplace diversity and inclusion and shows how individuals may improve their professional surroundings. The PPE headscarf is an example of innovation spurred by a desire to make work more inclusive and accessible.
