Women make up a small but important part of the construction workforce. They face challenges such as finding personal protective equipment (PPE) that fits properly, restroom and sanitation access, and discrimination.
The following CPWR resources contain information for women in construction:
- CPWR’s “Personal Protective Equipment for Women Construction Workers” provides a quick reference to help women, trans, and nonbinary workers find PPE that fits and protects.
- CPWR’s Women in Construction Webinar Mini-Series showcases tips and information on how to support women in construction from tradeswomen, government representatives, researchers, non-profit leaders, and employers doing it right (Click here to learn more).
- CPWR’s Physicians’ Alert: Pregnant Construction Worker Safety and Health (Click here for Spanish) helps workers and their doctors determine a plan to continue working safely while pregnant and return to work safely after giving birth. Also, see the Work-Related Task Lists by Construction Occupation for additional information that can help pregnant workers use this Physicians’ Alert.
We are very grateful for the help of all who contributed their expertise and insights into the development of the Pregnant Construction Worker Safety and Health Physician’s Alert. We would like to thank A Better Balance, Vicki O’Leary, the Trades Women Committee, Dr. Marya Zlatnik, and Dr. Rosie Sokas for their work on this product.
Other Resources
- NIOSH webpage on reproductive health
- NAWIC-OSHA Alliance: “Portable Toilet and Sanitation Best Practices for Women in Construction” handout of best practices for employers to improve bathroom access and sanitation.
- Trades Union Congress (United Kingdom): “Personal Protective Equipment for Women” resource for workplace representatives on ensuring a safe fit of PPE for women.
- Ontario Women’s Directorate & Industrial Accident Prevention Association: “Personal Protective Equipment for Women: Addressing the Need” a detailed publication on the lack of adequate PPE, including a directory that lists some manufacturers and suppliers who meet the PPE needs of women workers
- North Carolina Department of Labor: “Women in Construction ” a poster with requirements and best practices for PPE, sanitation, training, ergonomics, and workplace culture.
- RISE (Respect, Inclusion, Safety and Equity in the Construction Industry) – a program aimed at shifting the culture of construction to one that is inclusive to all people one individual, organization, or site at a time.
Other studies and recommendations
- OSHA’s Advisory Committee for Construction Safety & Health: “Women in the Construction Workplace: Providing Equitable Safety and Health Protection (1999)
- Mt. Sinai Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health: “Personal Protective Equipment for Female Construction Workers: Does it Fit? (2016)
- American Journal of Industrial Medicine: “Access to properly fitting PPE for female construction workers” (2016)
- Lund University: “Issues confronting women participation in the construction industry” (2011)
- Florida International University and Auburn University: “Addressing the issue of compliance with PPE on construction worksites: A workers’ perspective