Safety’s a Must-Have, Not a Nice-to-Have: Why Women in Construction Are Stuck in a Bind

Think we’re doing great at treating everyone equal? Well, the construction world’s got another thing coming. A recent survey by Lumber, a construction workforce management organization, has thrown light on a glaring issue: a significant lack of gender-appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and maternity-friendly safety gear on job sites.

It’s pretty unbelievable in a way that in this day and age, we’re still scratching our heads on getting the basics right for women in construction. If the stats are anything to go by, and they usually are, about 67% of ladies in the business can’t find safety items, like harnesses and hard hats, that fit them right. So, it makes one wonder, with all the smart tech and customization we have at our fingertips, why are we dropping the ball when “everyone” clearly doesn’t mean “everyone”?

And here’s the kicker: a whopping 85% of women are scratching their heads trying to find safety gear that works with a baby on board. This isn’t just a slight oversight–it’s flat-out risky. Pregnancy already puts you in the “handle with care” zone. Without gear that’s looking out for two, we’re talking about real risks to moms-to-be and their little ones.

This whole mess says a lot more than we’d like about the dusty, old biases still hanging around in construction. It’s not just a minor inconvenience; it’s health, safety, and yes, equality getting the cold shoulder. The big wigs making safety gear need to get with the times and figure out how to make PPE that suits every worker, bumps and all. We’re not asking for gear from Mars; we just want stuff that works for everyone.

Here’s the thing, if the lack of proper gear has you in a bind, or worse, hurt on the job, it might be time to get on the phone with a lawyer especially for the people working hard in the Bronx or similar busy spots. Having a Bronx slip and fall lawyer when you need them is key because they can make sure you’re looked after when work throws you a curveball because someone decided to skimp on the gear you need.

It’s pretty clear that addressing the need for gear that fits everyone, including pregnant workers, has been a long time coming. The construction industry needs to wake up, smell the coffee, and get to work on making safety a reality for all its workers. It’s about time we rolled up our sleeves and made the changes needed. Only then can we start building towards a future where everyone on the job is safe, no exceptions.