The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and OSHA signed an agreement last week to work together to provide NAWIC members and others with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect the health and safety of workers.

The alliance, which focuses on a subset of construction workers with unique needs, will strive to reduce and prevent exposure to ergonomic hazards, sanitation hazards, and issues related to personal protective equipment selection.

828,000 women

According to NAWIC, women make up 9% of the U.S. construction workforce, with 828,000 women employed in various sectors of the industry.

OSHA alliances with industry associations include:

Raising Awareness of OSHA's Rulemaking and Enforcement Initiatives:

To convene or participate in forums, roundtable discussions, or stakeholder meetings on construction industry hazards and issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues.

Training and Education:

To develop effective training and education programs for women in the construction industry regarding ergonomics and sanitation hazards and the selection of PPE, and to communicate such information to constituent employers and workers.

Outreach and Communication:

To develop information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to develop ways of communicating such information (e.g., print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools, and OSHA's and the NAWIC's Web sites) to employers and workers in the industry.