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Considering a Career in Construction? Here are the Challenges That Women Working in the Industry Face

By on September 2, 2021
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By Charolette Danzig

Out of everyone who works in the construction field, women account for only 10.3%, proving just how big of a gender gap there really is in the industry. From working in conditions that can cause skin issues to the potential injury involved, and the likely reasons behind why the industry is still so male dominated, here’s what you need to know regarding the challenges that women in the field face on a regular basis — especially if you’re considering a career in the area yourself.

The potential for injury

The construction industry is undoubtedly regarded as being dangerous to work in, and statistics readily back this up. Although construction workers make up just 6% of the US labor force, 20% of worker deaths in the United States are in construction. And, falls are surprisingly the leading cause of work related deaths in the industry, as they account for more than one in three of the total number of fatalities. Additional potential for injury in the field can be found in those relating to equipment and machinery, fatigue, and struck-by injuries. However, while following safety protocol can reduce the chances of becoming injured on the job, those who are out in the weather have additional health concerns to consider.

Additional concerns

When it comes to working out on the frontlines in the construction industry, Safety and Health magazine reported that occupational skin disease was the 2nd most prominent disease in construction work, likely due to the amount of time that workers are in contact with harsh elements that can harm the skin. For instance, while colder weather can dry out the skin, hotter weather can easily result in sunburns. What’s more is that failing to protect the skin against issues like weather and operating machinery (such as skid steer loaders, which can cause friction and cuts) can lead to even more problems, such as dermatitis (eczema), acne, skin infections, and even skin cancer, making for long term consequences. To combat such issues, wearing the right protective gear like gloves, using sunscreen and moisturizing can all help to maintain healthy skin.

A rewarding career — and important considerations

Aside from the obvious dangers of working in construction, women who do choose to go into the field are more than likely to find a rewarding career. With good job security and competitive wages, working in construction presents a wealth of job opportunities that provide a wide variety of choices across the board, from architect, draftsman, engineer, and more. Not only that, but it’s generally easy to enter the field and get started, due to the minimal requirements for certain positions make it a great career for those who don’t have a college degree or who want to steer clear from having to get involved with taking out student loans (though some trades do require formal training or certification from a trade/technical school).

However, as rewarding as a career in the construction industry can be, it’s important to realize that there are a few notable aspects worth considering before applying in addition to the benefits. For example, many jobs within the field can be physically demanding, which can lead to injuries of their own (overexertion, etc.). Additionally, it’s also valuable to be aware that it can take quite some time before you work your way up the ladder, get promoted, and reach your career goals — especially if you’re beginning without any experience.

The gender gap — and finding a solution

Due to the small number of women working in the construction field, it’s important to understand why, as well as how it can be helped, especially when 86.7% of women who do work in the industry hold office positions, while even fewer women (2.5%) are tradespeople in construction, according to bigrentz.com. Perhaps one culprit of the major gender gap is due to a gender bias on the matter of women working in the field, resulting in the male dominated industry we know today.

Coupled with gender bias, women are often discouraged from pursuing a construction career to begin with, and many who are working in the industry are often left without the opportunity for advancement. However, when it comes to finding a productive solution to get more women to join the construction industry, exposure and positive encouragement are undoubtedly imperative. Because many women simply aren’t aware of the range of job opportunities and career paths available within the industry, getting more women to join the construction workforce is a difficult endeavor. And, the positive encouragement of female participation is another way to get more people aware of and join the construction industry, and should start as early as possible. From shop and woodworking classes in high school and such programs in trade schools, there are many ways that women can be introduced to and more openly encouraged to participate in activities that can then lead to a rewarding career in construction.

While working in construction holds potentials for injury, a career within the field can also be very rewarding. Unfortunately, the male dominated industry and lack of exposure can lead to a lack of female participation, which highlights the need for positive encouragement in order to get more women in the field.

 

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Charlolette Danzig is a professional writer with a passion for the health and wellness sector. She used to work in health PR but is now committed to her writing, regularly contributing to many magazines and websites.

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