Recognizing Women in Construction Week
How women are making a positive impact on the construction industry
From introducing technology to construction operations to an increase in the number of women joining the workforce, the construction industry has been evolving in recent years. In fact, the number of women in the construction workforce has increased from 9.9% in 2018 to 10.9% in 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While the number continues to rise, women in the industry are expected to continue to make impactful contributions to construction as a whole.
In honor of Women in Construction Week, we’re going to dive into a few ways that women are pushing the industry to grow in a positive direction that enhances construction safety, improves efficiency, and strengthens diversity and inclusion.
Addressing Construction Safety Concerns
The issue of safety in construction between genders is evident, and it begins with ensuring that proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided. In a study by the Advisory Committee from OSHA, the governing body of construction, they noted the significant lack of appropriate PPE for women compared to men. “One survey of manufacturers of protective equipment, taken at a National Safety Council Annual meeting, found that only 14 percent offered ear, head, and face protection in women's sizes. The highest percentage, 59 percent, were manufacturers who offered foot protection in women's sizes.” Ill-fitting PPE can drastically increase the opportunities for injuries and accidents on-site, which in turn, can turn women away from a career in construction.
With this matter drastically receiving attention over most recent years, governing bodies like The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), ASTM International, and ISO, are developing standard and technical regulations for more gender-responsive PPE. Here are a few emerging companies exclusively producing women’s safety and work gear:
Women in Construction Want Digital Transformation
During last year's Women in Construction week, the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and Safe Site Check In, released a survey that consisted of results illustrating that 71% of women in construction saw digital transformation as a top priority. “Digital transformation is gaining significant momentum in the construction industry. Along with making work easier without compromising the quality of the finished product, it also opens up more opportunities for women,” said Crissy Ingram, executive director, NAWIC. “The survey shows the importance of digital technology and, ideally, its potential to address some of the issues driven by the construction labor shortage.”
Here are some of the key findings from the study:
77% of respondents believe digital transformation will make their jobs easier
95% report new technologies designed for the construction industry have enabled them to be more productive
72% of the survey participants pointed out that smartphone apps for managing projects and the workforce are the most helpful
Introducing technology as simple as digital forms can drastically help drive this movement. Using a digital form provider that is capable of resembling your government-regulated construction documentation or pre-existing construction forms enables organizations to streamline user adoption and simplify the transition from paper to digital data collection. Most importantly, mobile forms are accessible even on remote sites, from any device, allowing construction teams to automatically route, collect, and process data in real-time!
Strengthening Diversity and Inclusion
Women have a critical role to play in advancing diversity and inclusion to effect change in a male-dominated industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women account for only one out of every 100 employees in the field. Finding female mentorship that can empower women in the industry to push boundaries can prove to be quite challenging when you aren’t face-to-face with others of your gender on a daily basis. The National Association of Women in Construction offers various committees in various geographical locations to create opportunities for women-to-women mentorship, inclusion, and support.
Additionally, driving diversity within your business can also mean better outcomes. According to the Person Institute, businesses in the top 25% of gender diversity were almost 50% more likely to outperform their industry average. In another study from Credit Suisse, companies produced 10% higher cash flow returns when women make up half of the senior managers. Incorporating diverse perspectives into daily work often leads to more thoroughly considered approaches, which can significantly enhance outcomes.
Overall, women in the construction industry are constantly pushing boundaries and reaching new heights. If you’re interested in getting more involved in Women in Construction Week, or simply want to learn more, you can navigate to their website here.
About GoFormz
GoFormz is an operational data management platform that helps bring your captured data into a single, actionable place. We believe that everyone should be able to fill out their forms online and deliver products and services that redefine how people and businesses collect and process information. Whether it’s digitizing a timesheet template or all of your construction forms, GoFormz is ready to bring your processes to the digital realm, within a familiar interface! Complete with an open API and multiple native integrations like Procore, Smartsheet, and OneDrive, you can rest assured that your data is already ready, whenever you need it.
