Women in Construction: Nuggets from Audience Talk-Back Following ASSE 2018 Conference Presentation.

Women in Construction: Case Studies in Health, Safety, and Workplace Culture was presented by Crystal Turner-Moffatt MS, ASP, and Reagan Branch, MPH, CIH, CSP on Monday, June 4th, 2018 at 1pm at the Henry B Gonzalez Convention Center San Antonio, TX during the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Safety 2018 Professional Development Conference & Exposition.

This presentation grew out of an earlier endeavor where Mrs. Crystal Turner-Moffatt aka Safety Diva in her capacity as the local chapter president of ASSE, requested that I present an original topic at one of their meetings. The topic of Women in Construction was presented and it resulted in a rich discussion among the meeting attendees. From that discussion, Ms. Turner-Moffatt realized that the topic is important enough for a national discussion and so she proposed it to the conference committee and they were sold on the merit of the topic. We felt it was important to have personal experiences be a part of the presentation when we learned that the proposal was accepted by the ASSE selection committee to be a part of the conference. We felt it important to not just share our own experiences as safety professionals but to have women in various trades share their experiences of being employed in construction, a “nontraditional” employment field. 

I also thought it was important that we bring visibility to this population beyond enlightening the safety industry that women face a number of obstacles. The numbers are small but women do exist in this industry and should come out of the shadows. Women are capable and present at all levels, from trades women, to shop stewards, superintendents, safety professionals, architects, engineers and even the highest levels such as project executives. Women in construction are skilled, educated, experienced and capable and we want our numbers to increase beyond the current nine (9) percent representation in the industry. We want girls and women of all ages to see that this path is a rewarding, well paying, mentally (not just physically) challenging career path for them. We want to erase the stigma and stereotypes about the industry and have women see themselves reflected back at them.  

Women in Construction

A video was created to have women tell their own stories of their experiences in this field. The video was more impactful than the PowerPoint presentation we believe and it sparked interesting dialogue among audience members that extended beyond our 2pm end time. The relevant points of our presentation are that: 1) Women are underrepresented in construction, a field where they are naturally suited because of the requirements of attention to detail and collaboration. 2) Construction workers are aging and the industry is doing a poor job of attracting and training young and more diverse people. 3) More must be done to address harassment and isolation women experience, along with ergonomic and reproductive hazards. There needs to be action around the design of personal protective equipment and tools with women in mind and provide better sanitary facilities as part of basic convenience and dignity.

Here are some of the takeaways from the discussion. You may also watch the video and add your voice to this discussion which needs to be continued. 

·       The lack of female representation in the construction industry is a people problem not solely a woman’s issue.The safety industry has to take the obstacles on with as much vigor as they have with the topic of creating “a culture of safety”. How about we tackle the issue of creating a culture of inclusion. The fact is if a woman can’t go to a clean bathroom to urinate she is less likely to drink liquids during the course of her workday which can lead to dehydration and heat related illnesses. 

·       There must be buy-in from everyone from the top all the way down. Increasing the numbers of women in construction starts with leadership deciding that this is important. Worksites free of sexual harassment and discrimination should be the as touted as “Zero Safety Requires 100% commitment” or “Safety is no accident”.  I submit for consideration: “If you can’t work with a woman, then go home”.  I am sure you can think of more cleaver slogans to address the issue of harassment in the construction industry so submit them in the comment section. 

·       Make it a goal to interview diverse candidates.There must be a commitment to hire women in leadership rolls within companies, select them as primes or subcontract to women own business and create policies that consider the experiences of the female workforce. 

·       Create public policy or enforce those that exist to increase the number of women in the industry. The government must enforce regulations such as 1978’s Executive Order 11246, which banned employment discrimination by government contractors on federal and federally assisted projects. 

·       Hire woman owned firms. Certified Woman-owned Business Enterprises (WBE) participation goals set on public contracts must also be enforced. Far too often prime contractors make no, or poor efforts to find WBEs and instead rely on the loopholes in contracts that allow them to proceed without meeting established goals. The federal SBA and many state agencies are funding and supporting certification programs for qualified woman owned firms, making woman owned firms easy to find.

·       Spread the word to young people that this is a field worth pursuing. There is a pervasive narrative that construction is not “woman’s work” because it requires strength or that it is too dirty or too blue collar. Let’s bury that with all the other outdated notions we have discarded about the capabilities of women. 

·       To grow within your field as a woman in construction, know the industry and what you are talking about to gain respect.  I hear what they are saying but this brings to mind the notion “you have to be twice as good” to be respected in your field. Personally, I yearn for the day when a mediocre woman can be hired just as easily as a mediocre man. 

·       Construction workers are an aging population.The median age of a construction worker is over 40 years old. There is a need for new blood, new ideas and new ways of doing things that can level the playing field for women. The industry is a also ready for disruption by technology and millennials can play a part in bring about this change. 

There are many pathways to participation in the construction industry and it is my hope that the leadership make an effort through outreach, internship, mentorship, sponsorship etc. to allow women to learn about the various career paths available to them. I ask that female professionals and tradeswomen take on the role of being proud ambassadors and speak to and encourage young women to consider this rewarding field. I challenge men in the field to take on and nurture female apprentices as they do young men and fathers to encourage their daughters to pursue nontraditional employment.