Occupational Health & Safety: Due to the unique challenges that women face in the construction industry, the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) has signed a two-year alliance with OSHA, according to Safety.BLR.com. The alliance will create targeted training materials and resources for companies to use with their female employees.
7 comments:
So it's really cool that OSHA et al. is working on considering women in the construction industry. I know especially with PPEs it can be difficult to find equipment that fits properly (and I'm not even a particularly small female!). Something that I wish I (and the article) had given more thought too when I was younger is the different ways men and women exert force on different joints. Even outside of theater and construction in general, I spent a lot of time trying to compete with my brothers in certain things and now find myself at only 20 with certain avoidable joint issues.
I agree with Lindsay that it is nice that OSHA is paying attention to the presence of women in the work force. However, I am not sure they are concentrating on the right things. For instance, while it is important to have PPEs that fit and are comfortable, I do not think this is a problem that applies only to women. Also, the issue of having unsanitary restrooms is not a problem only for women. I know many men who would not be happy (or would refrain in general) about using an unsanitary restroom. Sanitary restrooms are not something that only women require, they are something humans should require, period. I am happy that OSHA is giving attention to proper working conditions for women in the work force, but I believe they need to dig deeper and target more severe problems that truly do apply only to women in the work force.
I tend to agree with what Jess Bergson said in her comment too it is really great that women are getting treated better but what about everyone else? Women definitely have not always been treated in the best ways when it comes to the workplace, especially if that workplace is in the construction industry but why are they getting better equipment over everyone else. It seems important that every worker, male or female, get suited with the best PPE's and have a proper place to go to the bathroom. Not being fully protected by your PPE is a problem for many people and should be a part of protection for all workers.
So parts of this are really cool. It makes complete sense that women should have gear that fits. But some of the other parts bother me. I speak to the article this links to that has more information on the subject. The part about machines designed for men. I'm sure there are women who can handle those and men who can't. I can believe as a general what they are saying is true. But I think by rule, no one should be made to use a machine that hurts them. Also the thing about the bathrooms is stupid. I completely agree with everything it says, except the part about only pertaining to women. In that situation I also never use the "temporary bathrooms" because they are disgusting. That is a rule that should apply to everyone. Also saying women need a cleaner work space then men is not likely to lead towards equality.
The biggest question this article leaves me with is why are portable restrooms acceptable enough for men to use, but not sanitary enough for females to use? I don't mean to be a traitor. I think it's great that OSHA et al, is working toward making accommodation for women. And personally, I prefer not to use those portable restrooms. But I am always the first to shoot down a double-standard, especially when it's in favor of men--and therefore I guess I feel obligated to point out this one which favors women.
Taking notice of women in the construction industry is an awesome thing. BUT, in terms of safety, OSHA shouldn't ONLY be considering women. Women should not be singled out as a specific group. Safety training should be for everyone, no matter if some of those problems are specific to only women. Men should have to hear about the issues women face in the industry, just as women should have to hear about any male specific issues in the industry. Safety education should never be about a segregation of genders. If more information is going to be incorporated into the programs, it should be incorporated into the programs in a standardized way for everybody working in the industry.
I am happy that OSHA is addressing heath and safety concerns fir women in the construction industry, however I feel like the problem they are addressing are more universal than they are making them out to be. Anyone would want better fitting PPEs, clean washrooms and to be able to operate machinery without acquiring an ergonomic injury. All of these concerns should be being addressed throughout the whole industry and the fact that these were the issues chosen to specifically for women, makes me wonder who chose them. Are these the only or even the main concerns of the actual women working in the industry.
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