January 19, 2006

Safety Tips

Not all safety guidelines are created equal

Women need to consider gender-specific issues

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

The Illinois-based American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) has released workplace safety tips aimed at helping reduce injuries and illnesses for women in the construction industry.

Both men and women working in construction are susceptible to reproductive hazards, sanitary concerns, muscle strains and lifting issues, the organization says. However, these issues are not solved the same way for men as for women, notes ASSE member and author Carol Schmeidler of Buffalo, NY.

In a chapter in ASSE’s Construction Safety Management and Engineering book, Schmeidler says personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing are often designed for average-sized men, so equipment and clothing that does not properly fit could reduce its effectiveness in providing protection.

As for heavy loads, women construction workers may want to use alternate means such as dragging the load instead of lifting it or using a wheelbarrow or cart to move the load. The average construction worker can lift up to 50 pounds, but capacity can vary from person to person, regardless of gender.

Also alternate methods of completing a task can be helpful such as using a ladder when hammering nails just out of reach. Unnecessary stretching and awkward positioning to complete a task could result in back strain, muscle aches or even cause a fall.

In all, the society had more than a dozen tips for female construction workers. These included the following:

<0x25B6> Always wear the correct size and type of PPE. Equipment that does not fit properly or is not used in the correct manner can expose workers to hazardous conditions. This includes breathing apparatus, hardhats, hand protection, and other jobsite-specific PPE.

<0x25B6> For heavy lifting jobs, look for ways to make the lift require less force such as using leverage or breaking the load into smaller piles or bundles.

<0x25B6> PPE should not be the only equipment that fits properly, as hammers and many other construction tools are made for different-sized workers, such as those with smaller hands. Remember that equipment is sized differently to better suit a worker, be it a male or female.

<0x25B6> Find a healthy way to manage workplace stress. If one encounters hostility or harassment, it is important to report them to upper management and human resources.

<0x25B6> Maintain your visibility at a construction site by wearing a reflective/bright vest. Individuals smaller in size may not be as visible to other workers, such as those operating heavy machinery and vehicles. Wearing bright, reflective vests over existing clothing can help increase visibility during adverse weather conditions such as fog or snow, as well as dusk, pre-dawn or other low visibility conditions. this is especially important for flaggers at a work zone.

<0x25B6> Women working in construction need proper bathroom facilities, just as their fellow male workers. If conditions are not sanitary, women may consider bringing their own supply of sanitizing wipes and hand soap. Remember it is unhealthy to hold off from using the bathroom facilities, which can lead to infections or other health problems.

<0x25B6> This need for sanitary conditions is even greater for pregnant workers, due to the threat of infection and an increased need of bathroom facilities. Hydration and taking rest breaks is important. Report pregnancies to company medical personnel as soon as possible.

The society’s tips got a thumbs up from Angela Wilson, a sales and marketing representative with Dufferin Construction Co. and president of the Canadian Association of Women in Construction and Elizabeth Johnston, proprietor of Working Woman Workwear.

“I would say the tips cover pretty well all the issues concerning women in the workplace,” says Johnston, the founding president of the Toronto chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction. “But I would add a tip on reproductive hazards.

“Women, as well as men, are often exposed to chemicals that affect their reproductive abilities.

“It is important that pregnant women should inform the employer about their pregnancy. The employer should make reasonable accommodations for them.

“Also, employers should post material safety data sheets for each chemical present on the worksite.”

Wilson endorsed Johnston’s comments.

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