AUTHOR=Curtis Hannah M. , Meischke Hendrika W. , Simcox Nancy J. , Laslett Sarah , Monsey Lily M. , Baker Marissa , Seixas Noah S. 

TITLE=Working Safely in the Trades as Women: A Qualitative Exploration and Call for Women-Supportive Interventions

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2021

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.781572

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2021.781572

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Background: Construction work offers women economic advancement and self-fulfillment opportunities, but multiple barriers prevent their increased representation in the industry. This study used qualitative methods to identity key physical and psychosocial safety hazards affecting tradeswomen. 

Methods: Three focus groups were held in 2015 with 19 tradeswomen in Washington State. Groups discussed workplace hazards and solutions to make the trades safer for women. Discussions were recorded, transcribed, and two independent reviewers analyzed themes. 

Results: Participants identified myriad physical and psychosocial hazards including a dangerous work environment, inadequate personal protective equipment, gender discrimination, and fear of layoff for reporting concerns.

Conclusion: Findings suggest that the industry’s work environment can be hostile and unsupportive for women, contributing to tradeswomen’s injury risk and psychological distress. Future research and interventions should focus on understanding the relationships between and mediating the negative impact of women’s physical and psychosocial workplace hazards.