Imagine being pregnant and working on a hazardous site, surrounded by heavy equipment and toxic materials, with no safety apparel designed to protect both you and your unborn child. That’s the reality Svetlana Blancher, owner and founder of Rugged Peach Workwear, faced while working as a third-party EPA oversight contractor on the FMC Superfund site in Pocatello, Idaho. As her pregnancy progressed, she scoured the internet for high-visibility (HI-VIS) maternity workwear that could meet the demands of her job, but found nothing that suited her needs.

Pregnant women in the trades encounter a unique set of challenges. They must safeguard their own health and that of their child while meeting the physical and professional demands of their roles. Yet, the market for maternity workwear, particularly HI-VIS safety garments, has long been overlooked. Svetlana knew she couldn’t be alone in this predicament. Driven by her experience, she founded Rugged Peach Workwear, a company dedicated to designing and producing HI-VIS maternity safety apparel tailored for expecting moms in the trades. These garments aren’t just gear—they’re a lifeline for moms in demanding roles.