The New York chapter of Professional Women in Construction, a nonprofit organization that supports career-minded women and works to promote diversity within the architecture, engineering, construction and related industries, held its annual Salute to Women of Achievement on Sept. 18, recognizing professionals at the highest levels of the AEC industry.

For women in safety, a mentor can offer guidance and open doors. Three women share their stories.

As the number of women in environmental, health and safety professions increases, so will opportunities for career advancement, experts say.

In women-dominated industries such as health care, as well as those in which women aren’t well represented, including construction and the trades, female workers are facing unique challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

What are some recent innovations in women’s footwear that workers and safety pros should consider?

Austin, TX — Women injured on the job have a better chance of qualifying for workers’ compensation disability payments and receiving higher payouts when a female doctor evaluates their claim, according to a recent study.

Guildford, England – Women are more likely than men to be affected by the adverse ramifications of shift work, a new study out of England suggests.

Boston – Women whose jobs require heavy lifting or shift work may experience decreased fertility levels, according to a study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Boston – Women who work the night shift as young adults may have an increased risk of breast cancer, according to a study of nurses conducted by the Channing Division of Network Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Toronto — Researchers at York University say they’ve found a link between women who perform shift work and delayed onset of natural menopause.

“Women seem to have to work harder to prove their knowledge of the subject matter even when they might have more knowledge and experience than a male,” one expert says.

Saratoga, CA — It’s still an issue: A recent survey of women in the construction industry found that gender-appropriate personal protective equipment and maternity-friendly safety equipment is lacking on jobsites.

Start your ISC West Day 3 off right by joining the Security Industry Association (SIA) Women in Security Forum (WISF) for a complimentary keynote event featuring special guest speaker Crystal Washington today from 10-11 am in the Venetian Ballrooms Main Stage. 

The NESS+ Small line of safety glasses is designed to fit smaller, narrower faces and meet the growing demand for safety apparel for women. The glasses feature anti-scratch and anti-fog coatings and have the benefit of added comfort thanks to co-injected temples.

Dovetail Workwear’s StayBlack CORDURA denim is engineered with cotton; INVISTA T420HT nylon 6,6; and cellulose fibers for four times the abrasion resistance of traditional cotton denim.

The RAF-540-GX Hi-Vis Safety Vest is ANSI Class 2-compliant and has an X-back.

The Women’s Versa V-Neck Long Sleeve Shirt combines arc-flash and flash-fire protection with comfort, fit and style. Constructed from a 6.8-ounce flame-resistant cotton and spandex blend, the shirt provides flexibility and a wide range of motion while wicking away moisture.

The SV63W Women’s Heavy Duty Two-Tone Short Sleeve Surveyor Vest is tailored specifically to fit women.

Designed with comfort and safety in mind, the SJ910B Type O Class 1 Bomber Jacket provides a stylish option for women who transition from the office to the jobsite. To provide Class 1 compliance, this black bomber is designed with fluorescent green trim and silver reflective tape.

This flame-resistant women’s pant collection is designed for welders, from blacksmiths and glassblowers to utility workers. The collection consists of two core pant designs: Britt Utility and DX Bootcut (shown).

The Women’s Elements Cyclone FR and arc-rated pullover hoodie is tailored specifically to fit women. Its wind- and water-repellent outer surface guards against inclement weather, while four-way stretch allows for freedom of movement.

The SAFEGEAR PPE line in women’s sizing includes hi-visibility apparel and gloves. The line includes insulated, work and grip gloves, as well as a T-shirt with or without pockets, safety vest, zipper sweatshirt, and a fleece-linked parka jacket.

Oulu, Finland — Premature menopause can limit how long women stay in the workforce, results of a recent study by Finnish researchers shows.

Bowling Green, KY — Leadership training and organizational support may help bolster the well-being and careers of women in safety leadership positions, according to a researcher from Western Kentucky University.

Villejuif, France – Occupational exposure to chlorinated solvents perchloroethylene and trichloroethylene may increase the risk of head and neck cancer in women, according to a study published online Jan. 9 in the journal BMJ Open.

The Fusion Mt is a lightweight safety boot designed to protect both a woman’s toes and the metatarsal bones in her foot.

With its classic wedge silhouette, the San Jose work boot is built for the unique fit needs of today’s tradeswoman and skilled worker. 

Floatride Energy Daily Work from Reebok is an athletic work shoe made for women. The foam is resilient, flexible and provides premium responsive cushioning. The shoe features extra-wide composite toes, a MemoryTech footbed and breathable mesh with extra TPU for stability.

Floatride Energy from Reebok is an athletic work shoe made for women. The foam is resilient and flexible, as well as provides premium responsive cushioning. The shoe features extra-wide composite toes, a MemoryTech footbed and breathable mesh with extra TPU for stability. A rubber slip-resistant outsole increases traction and durability.

Two new series of women’s shoes – Parissa Work and Pulse Tech Work – provide workers with contemporary styles that offer protection on the job. Parissa Work slip-ons have a truFlex midsole with slip-resistant outsole and a removable footbed for extra cushioning.

The Rainier 6-inch women’s work boot with nano composite safety toe is designed for tradeswomen. It features an oil-, clog- and slip-resistant non-marking outsole.

The Spice line of women’s work boots has a new addition: the Dark Lava Nubuck edition. These reddish-brown leather safety boots are durable, abrasion resistant and waterproof.

Historically, PPE has been designed with a man’s body size and shape in mind. But when Safety+Health reached out to the International Safety Equipment Association regarding progress on designing personal protective equipment for women, manufacturers’ representatives were quick to respond.

The FT-One Fit premium full-body harness enables women to achieve a customized fit. Features include an adjustable sub-pelvic strap to ensure a proper fit across a woman’s hips, along with abrasion-resistant shoulder panels and custom-designed gel inserts and padding.

Watertown, SD — Workforce expansion in the communication tower industry has created “a huge untapped potential for women” while enhancing the need for proper safety training for all workers, Andrea Lee, the National Tower Erectors’ Women of NATE committee chair, said during a recent Federal Communications Commission podcast.

Aurora, CO — Anxiety, depression and fatigue increase women’s risk of getting hurt at work, according to a recent study from the Colorado School of Public Health’s Center for Health, Work and Environment.

What should a flame-resistant garment program for women include?

CHICA Safety Eyewear in Leopard Print features oversized ballistic-rated lenses for superior protection and a universal nose bridge for comfort and fit.

GirlzGear eyewear is fitted and designed specifically to help keep female workers safe.

Washington — On the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 becoming law, the Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau released three issue briefs on safe leave.

Menopause, when a woman’s menstrual cycle stops permanently, typically occurs between age 45 and 55. According to the National Institutes of Health, it can last anywhere from seven to 14 years.

Is the “one size smaller” rule for women’s personal protective equipment adequate?

With a smooth leather upper, cushioned Skechers Memory Foam footbed and non-slip rubber traction sole, the Relaxed Fit Eldred SR casual lace-up sneaker is EH Safe rated (ASTM F2413-05).

New York — Increased stress, long hours and apprehension about disclosing mental health concerns are some of the most pressing challenges affecting women in the workplace, according to a new report.

Washington — More than 3 out of 5 women in the United States – younger women in particular – find it difficult to prioritize their own health, a new report shows.

New York — Women in frontline jobs say their safety and well-being needs often go unacknowledged, according to a recently published report.

In spite of the many strides made in women’s health and nutrition, one of the key issues facing women is a very basic one: insufficient protein intake. Sarcopenia, the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, occurs far more frequently, and at a younger age (beginning around age 35), in women than in men. It is the primary factor leading to weakness and frailty in women as they age.

O Positiv has been at the forefront of women's health since the successful launch of its debut product in 2018, FLO, a PMS support supplement on the market. The brand's mission is to prioritize and advocate for women's health, by providing effective solutions for health concerns that have been historically overlooked.

If you haven’t already participated in an event with Women in the Floorcovering Industry, make this the year you do.

Women in the Floorcovering Industry (WIFI) is accepting applications for its second round of scholarships until July 10, 2024.