Assessment of Effectiveness of Occupational Hazards Training for Women in the Construction Industry

Women who work in the construction industry are more vulnerable than their male counterparts to accidents, some of which can be fatal. This is partially attributable to their inability to identify occupational hazards that are unique to their gender and are not usually covered in training sessions. Health and safety training programs have been shown to enable them to identify hazards in the workplace, but their effectiveness is yet to be determined. This study aims to develop materials that can be used to create an awareness of the occupational hazards that women encounter and how they can mitigate or eliminate their effects, and it will also evaluate the effectiveness of the training. Thirty-Two female construction employees in Texas were trained, and their knowledge was tested prior to and immediately after the training, using a standard questionnaire that consisted of eight questions pertaining to the materials covered during the training. The responses were quantitatively analyzed, and results demonstrated a significant improvement in the knowledge of the participants after the training. These study findings can assist construction companies and policymakers in implementing safety practices that will improve the health and safety of female construction employees.