Monday, January 17, 2022 Women in Construction A five-part series exploring best practices to recruit and retain women in the construction workplace Newsletters Alberta Local 63 BC Local 68 Manitoba Local 152 Ontario Construction Saskatchewan Local 151 Best Practice #5 – Provide safety training and properly fitting personal protective equipment (PPE) One of the primary and important safety concerns for women on construction sites is improperly fitting PPE. In a male-dominated industry, much of the equipment is designed with men in mind and does not fit women well, creating a safety hazard for women. It also causes many of them to shift the equipment to a more comfortable position, which is a further safety hazard. 5 Ways That Training and Equipment Can Become Made Safer for Women Seeking out suppliers that offer PPE designed for women. There are women’s sizes available, but also keep an eye out for styles particularly designed for women. Make sure that all employees know how to appropriately handle hazardous material. Provide clean and lockable washroom facilities. Provide clear guidelines regarding safe work policies and practices. Remember, new recruits may be reluctant to speak up. Ensure new recruits know who to talk to about safety concerns CLAC has begun to research fall protection harnesses for women to ensure that women are provided the best equipment to work well in their trade and feel welcome on their site. Previous Next You might be interested in Skill and Care on the Milk Route 17 Sep 2026 Building Skills, Growing Careers 15 Sep 2026 CLAC's Statement on Canada's Energy Future 14 Sep 2026 Seeing Clearly 13 Sep 2026