Portrait of a female civil engineer on the background of a construction site
by Lisa Laronde, Canadian Association of Women in Construction Lisa Laronde, Canadian Association of Women in Construction

Safe and Secure

Portrait of a female civil engineer on the background of a construction site
dvigalet/123RF

In the construction industry and trades, personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential to keeping workers safe and thriving on the job. Everyone on a worksite is mandated to have well-fitted, intact and site-appropriate PPE. So, why does the Canadian Assocation of Women in Construction (CAWIC) continue to hear of so many issues and concerns about the lack of availability and fit of PPE for women on the jobsite in 2025?

Beyond shrink it and pink it

CAWIC has heard from women about the lack of availability and choice for PPE in the marketplace. The repercussions of this issue are enormous. Women can feel pressured to walk onto the jobsite feeling unsafe and worried about injuries or even death. Some women may feel like they can’t speak up to ask for proper PPE in the workplace and proceed with doing their jobs in an unsafe and downright dangerous manner.

From helping identify workers to saving lives, PPE is one of the most important components of worker safety. For far too long, PPE for women was either a smaller version of a men’s size or something that’s marketed for women but not designed with them in mind. The “shrink it and pink it” idea was seen as the solution and a win for women in the industry. However, that was not enough. Today, the industry is making significant, positive improvements to providing women with PPE designed specifically for their needs.

PPE needs to be able to do its job

Individuals spend years training to enter their chosen trade, earning their place on the jobsite and the hard hat that represents their profession, whether it’s the red of an electrician, the white of an engineer or the classic yellow of a labourer or operator. Imagine putting in all that effort, only to find that the hard hat doesn’t fit. Neither do the gloves. Suddenly, everything you’ve learned about safety is dismissed, because the industry’s standard wasn’t designed with you in mind.

Builder clothes, worker uniform on wooden background

Many women take to altering PPE themselves to try and make something work.

If you are using smaller sizes without accounting for a differently shaped body, you may end up with loose sleeves, waist gaps, material splitting and lack of chest protection. Or, if you are working with something not designed with women in mind, you may end up missing key components, such as ease of removal, flaps for bathroom usage, extra pockets for remote site personal items or simply gloves designed in the right sizes.

Many women take to altering PPE themselves to try and make something work, either with duct tape and rubber bands or even spending their own money to have their PPE tailored. The other choice some women make is to simply forgo PPE all together, with the potential for life-altering consequences.
PPE reduces injuries and fatalities, but for it to function at its optimal level, it must fit and be used properly.

Leading the way

According to research conducted by the CSA Group in 2022, “the three most common problems the Canadian women surveyed have with their PPE are that a. it does not fit properly (50 per cent); b. it is uncomfortable to wear (43 per cent) and c. the selection of women-specific PPE is inadequate (35 per cent).”

As the representation of women grows in the industry, continuing efforts to address these problems is paramount. The first step is to spotlight these issues and focus on developing new solutions, and that is exactly what the construction industry and the PPE sector are doing. The momentum to create new products and solutions is exciting and will drive greater innovations in PPE for women.

The momentum to create new products and solutions is exciting and will drive greater innovations in PPE for women.

While the construction industry continues to transform, so too does PPE. Whether it is appropriately sized PPE to impact-resistance gloves, solar reflective strips and high visibility materials to smart helmets and wearable sensors, innovations in PPE are rapidly evolving to keep women safer in the workplace. Many of the redesigns and updates for PPE won’t just benefit women, but everyone in the construction industry.

Some CAWIC members are leading the charge to help ensure women are safe on the jobsite and are building inclusive and women’s PPE lines. Everyone is welcome on the jobsite, and everyone must be safe on it.

Woman holding clipboard wearing hardhat and safety vest on job site
by Lisa Laronde, Canadian Association of Women in Construction Lisa Laronde, Canadian Association of Women in Construction

A Diverse and Inclusive Construction Industry Benefits Us All

Woman holding clipboard wearing hardhat and safety vest on job site
peopleimages12/123rf

In construction, we know the value of planning, adaptability and embracing change; it’s how we build for the future. That same approach is critical as we address a pressing challenge facing our industry: the workforce shortage.

The latest statistics from our industry highlight a pressing challenge: over the next decade, we’ll need more than 350,000 new workers. To put that into perspective, this need accounts for nearly 21 per cent of the current workforce. As an industry, we are struggling to meet the growing workforce needs, and this demand underscores the urgent need for real action and immediate solutions.

As we work to meet these workforce challenges, we must recognize that long-term success depends on building an industry that is truly inclusive and diverse. Currently, 86 per cent of nearly 1.6 million construction workers are men. By taking meaningful steps today, we can ensure that construction remains strong, innovative and sustainable. By attracting more women to the industry, we can access a diverse talent pool ready to drive significant change. Ensuring a diverse and inclusive workforce can provide fresh perspectives, innovative solutions and stronger collaboration, benefiting not just women, but everyone in the industry.

According to a study by McKinsey, companies with greater gender diversity are 21 per cent more likely to experience above-average profitability. Promoting women in construction can lead to stronger business outcomes and drive innovation, while addressing our need for more workers today and in the future.

The time is now to focus on attracting and retaining women and, ultimately, creating a more inclusive industry. Research conducted by the Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) with members of the Angus Reid Forum across Canada underscored the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in the construction industry. A significant majority, 69 per cent, of respondents believe these factors are crucial for the industry’s prosperity and growth. In addition, 73 per cent of women surveyed agree that more must be done to attract and retain women in construction. These findings show that the desire for change is there. Achieving this will lead to a stronger, more inclusive and unified industry that will thrive in the years to come.

We need to create a construction industry where women are fully represented, respected and empowered at all levels, leading to a more inclusive and unified future.

Challenges such as childcare, pay equity, equitable job titles and access to inclusive personal protection equipment are just a few of the barriers that continue to stop women from joining our industry, while at the same time cause women to leave the industry. Leaders across the construction landscape need to take bold action to solve these issues and create an environment where women can thrive. As the construction industry strives to facilitate the effective representation of women, mentorship and sponsorship, and the availability of such opportunities for women, are key factors in achieving this goal.

Immediate and effective action is crucial to attract women to the construction industry, and this includes breaking down traditional barriers; providing training, networking opportunities and resources; and, being continually focused on ensuring inclusion is the cornerstone of a company’s actions. With every step forward, we can all help women enter and advance in their construction careers.

By embracing diversity and inclusion, we not only meet the growing demand for workers, but we can also unlock the full potential of the industry. Women bring fresh perspectives, innovation and talent, which are essential for the continued success and growth of construction. Together, we can create an industry where we all succeed.

These are the findings of a survey conducted by CAWIC from Feb. 23-27, 2024, among a representative sample of 1,505 online Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English.

Women in Construction
by Lisa Laronde, Canadian Association of Women in Construction Lisa Laronde, Canadian Association of Women in Construction

Building a Community of Women in Construction

Women in Construction

A great deal has changed since 2005, when the Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) was formed. We have witnessed the emergence of a new digital economy, an enhanced focus on health, safety and mental wellness, and an increased demand for skilled workers. The one thing that has not changed is our association’s commitment to support women across the industry.  

Based on feedback CAWIC collected from those involved in the association in late 2023, we know that women in the construction industry are looking to be part of a community; they want to network, bond, share and grow with fellow women. 

This year, CAWIC and the entire construction industry can and will build a stronger community for women working in the construction field. For CAWIC, we will focus our efforts on supporting women and helping them advance their careers by providing professional development, networking and mentorship from coast to coast. With a new two-year strategic plan in place, CAWIC is firmly and rapidly expanding on our foundation and our focus to better support women including racialized women, those living with disabilities and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

As many have heard me say, if the construction industry does not continue to make progress to attract, support and retain women, the industry will not thrive, let alone survive. We as a collective need to hold companies, individuals and organizations accountable to ensure women are getting the opportunities they not only deserve but have earned.

Women are a growing and essential segment in the construction industry. As many have heard me say, if the construction industry does not continue to make progress to attract, support and retain women, the industry will not thrive, let alone survive. We as a collective need to hold companies, individuals and organizations accountable to ensure women are getting the opportunities they not only deserve but have earned. 

Our industry is facing extensive demand as we try to ensure we have a workforce available to meet the needs of today and tomorrow. With the realities of an aging population, looming retirements on the horizon and a growing competitive job market, now more than ever we need to attract and retain women in the construction industry. However, we can only draw and retain women on our teams and in our leadership roles when our companies provide the right culture and environment that is supportive for women. 

A vital part of this is ensuring that organizations offer opportunities for their teams to continually learn. This opportunity to learn cannot be achieved in isolation. Having a network to rely on and share lived experiences is crucial. For women in construction, CAWIC is further developing that community to learn, live and grow in. Each day across the industry, we see the immense pride that women in construction have for their job, their organizations and the role they play in building and strengthening our country.  We must continue to harness that pride and the opportunities that exist to attract the next generation of women to our sector. 

While there are still enormous challenges and barriers that must be solved, including childcare, pay equity, title equity, PPE availability and fit, and discrimination and harassment in the workplaces, we are seeing true progress. With our united voices, persistent actions, ongoing outreach and partnerships with allied construction organizations, we will cultivate a supportive community for women to work and thrive. Through this focus and action, we will bring about lasting and meaningful change. 

Lisa Laronde is president of RSG International, a global leader in road safety infrastructure, and a powerful advocate for women in leadership. She is also president of the Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC). In fall 2023, she was recognized as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women by WXN (Women’s Executive Network).