Bias on the construction jobsite is often unconscious, but it ultimately affects women's experience of working in the skilled trades and other construction careers, Safety+Health magazine reports. One industry expert says women in construction long have reported a disparity in training based on gender, and for women in the construction trades, social stereotyping may contribute to unfair treatment or negative encounters on the job. One example? A perception among some male counterparts and field supervisors that women lack the physical strength of their male counterparts.
Kathi Dobson, safety director for St. Louis-based Alberici Constructors Inc. and a member of OSHA’s National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health points out:
“When you think about, ‘Oh, you know what? A woman isn’t as strong as a man, so she can’t do the big job that a man can do,’ you’re going to run into situations like, ‘Let me help you with that,’ or, ‘I’ll carry that for you,’ or, ‘I’ll do that for you,’” Dobson said.
“In reality, most of the things nowadays that we’re faced with from either a lifting, pushing or pulling experience, if it’s more than 50 pounds, we’re going to have help anyhow. Or we’re going to use a mechanical device to move things around.”
Advertisement
Related Stories
Jobsite Safety
Survey Finds Women in Construction Still Lack Appropriate PPE
The survey found that women working in construction face challenges when it comes to finding properly fitting personal protective equipment for the jobsite
Business Management
How to Create a More Inclusive Workplace for Women in Construction
Consider these tips and techniques to attract and retain more women in your home building company and reap the benefits of a more diverse workforce
Women in Construction
Experts Discuss Women in Construction, Diversifying the Workforce
An expert panel discusses the various challenges and solutions emerging as more women embark on careers in construction