Over the years, women working in the construction industry have come a long way. Today, there are more job opportunities for females and (almost) equitable pay – and the number of women in construction is growing. However, there are still some major hurdles that female construction workers must overcome, including improperly fitting safety equipment (designed for men), sexual harassment, lack of mentoring, and sanitary bathroom facilities. Yes, bathrooms are a big problem! Construction sites often lack sanitary facilities in general, but poorly maintained temporary bathrooms can be especially troublesome for women.
Research indicates that females working in construction tend to hold their urine for a long period of time when facilities aren’t available or lacking in cleanliness. Holding urine inside the bladder for long periods of time can lead to urinary tract infections, bladder infections and kidney infections. Additionally, the unsanitary conditions in temporary bathrooms can lead to female workers contracting other diseases due to contaminated facilities.
If you’re a woman working in construction, we urge you to discuss these issues with management. Employers should offer a solution for female construction workers such as female-only bathrooms, more facilities, and better sanitation. Cleaners and sanitizers can help to prevent contaminated facilities. Male workers have also complained about such sanitation issues, so it’s not just a ‘female’ thing.
All workers have the right to work in a safe environment, and that includes the right to clean bathroom facilities. With the new alliance between OSHA and the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), there should be a bigger focus on protecting the health and safety of women in the construction trade. In addition, the NAWIC provides women construction workers opportunities for professional development, education, and networking. For more information, visit www.nawic.org.
If you have been injured on a construction site, it is important to protect your rights as an injured worker. Contact our experienced legal team by calling toll free at 888-799-3918 or by using the online contact form on our website for a free consultation.
