Grant programme launched to encourage better-fitting PPE for women
20/11/2019
This grant comes at a time when the industry is becoming increasingly aware of needs unique to female employees. Earlier this year, Skanska created gloves and two customised safety vests designed for women, which were based on feedback from the company’s own female workforce. Skanska has said it plans to expand the apparel line to include surveyor vests and high-visibility jackets for winter.
Women represent approximately 10% of the overall construction labour force, according to a statement from Autodesk, and attracting and retaining more women means better meeting the needs of a gender-diverse workforce.
"One of the most effective ways to successfully recruit more women into high-paying construction careers is to make sure firms are able to provide safety equipment that makes them even safer," said Stephen E. Sandherr, chief executive officer of AGC. "We want to leverage these grants to encourage our member firms to provide a wider range of safety equipment and continue to expand the diversity of our workforce."
The grant program will fund the purchase of approximately 300 fall protection harnesses sized for women. AGC members can apply for the grants until the application window closes on 10 January. Winners will be notified in advance and honored at the AGC's annual convention, to be held 9-12 March 9-12 in Las Vegas.
Image: Courtesy of TDIndustries
Share this story:
