Women in Construction: Breaking Barriers in PPE and Menstrual Health
Women in Construction Week is an opportunity to celebrate and promote the role of women in the industry and to work collaboratively towards making in more inclusive.
As it stands, women make up around 15% of the construction workforce (1), and with this number steadily increasing, women in construction continue to face unique challenges every day, from overcoming gender stereotypes to navigating workplace environments that are often male-dominated.
We believe it’s important to highlight some of the often-overlooked issues: ensuring that women have the proper support, especially regarding menstrual health and the right-fitting PPE.
Are theses issues a key reason for the major female recruitment and retention issues in this sector?
Did You Know?
- 59.6% of women have no choice but to wear PPE that is designed for men. (2)
- Two-thirds of women experience a negative impact at work due to their menstrual symptoms. (3)
- 25% of women reported their PPE did not fit properly or was uncomfortable, posing safety risks. (4)
- More than half of women have had to miss work due to period-related issues. (5)
How OUR Suppliers Support Women in Construction
For Women In Construction Week, we’ve reached out to some of our trusted suppliers who are positively impacting this change to share their insights. From providing high-quality female PPE to offering essential feminine hygiene products, these suppliers play a vital role in ensuring women in the construction industry have the resources they need. Here, they share why they prioritise women’s needs in construction and how their products aim to make a positive impact in the industry.
“Leo Workwear offers the most comprehensive women’s high visibility clothing range. Focused on fit, quality, and performance the products ensure women are safe, seen, and protected all year round. Stocked in sizes 6 to 26 and with maternity products and a modesty tunic all available from stock, Leo are proud to enable those previously unable to do their job properly due to a lack of appropriate PPE.“ – Leo Workwear
“At FLB, we believe the provision of free period products and FabLittleBags to responsibly dispose of them on construction sites, is an essential, not a luxury. Just as toilet roll is a basic necessity in Portaloo’s, so too are free period products and FabLittleBags. It’s vital that women have access to, and can confidently dispose of, period products in a hygienic, stress-free, and responsible way. We’re committed to ensuring women in construction have access to what they need—because every employee deserves a workplace that supports their well-being.” – Fab Little Bag.
“At Riley, we’re proud to partner with Lyreco and their customers to support women in construction and to promote a more inclusive world by supplying our healthier sustainable period care products. The provision of practical solutions for period comfort is not just a necessity, but a simple and significant step toward gender inclusivity. We are proud to partner with workplaces and an industry that paves the way for a future where every employee, no matter their gender, can perform at their best.“ – We are Riley, IE.
“At Sanni Bin, we’re dedicated to supporting women’s health in the construction industry. A simple, convenient solution with no need for third-party waste collections, our eco-friendly, 100% biodegradable sanitary bins not only prioritise women’s well-being but also contribute to a greener, more sustainable planet.” – Sanni Bin.
“V12 Footwear are proud to support women in Construction by offering the comfort and protection they need with our True Women’s FitTM safety range. Durable, strong and based to support the specific foot shape of women. If women have to endure wearing sized men’s safety footwear, the impact for those working in construction – a sector that sees workers walk up to 6 miles per day – goes far beyond discomfort” – V12 Footwear
As we continue working towards a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in construction, and with women currently making up 15% of the workforce (1), we must show that construction is not only a field where women can have lasting careers but also one that benefits from a diverse workforce.
By listening and adapting to the individual needs of women, we can create an industry that has greater opportunities to support growing numbers of women in construction.
Talking All Things Women in Construction: Keeley Dabbs on Breaking Barriers in the Industry
References:
(1) Siman-Risk, 2024, The State of Women in UK Construction
(2) National Association of Women in Construction Yorkshire Region (NAWIC Yorkshire)
(3) CIPD, 2023, Menstruation and support at work report
(4) The Women’s Engineering Society
(5) CIPD, 2023, Building momentum for menstrual health support
