gender at work and varying forms of

Safety and health at work is everyone’s concern. It’s good for you. It’s good for business.

Gender at work and varying forms of exposureElke Schneider, Prevention and Research unit, EU-OSHAETUI conference Women´s health and work, 5th March 2015

http://osha.europa.eu3

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA)

• A body of the EU

• Established in 1996 in Bilbao, Spain

• To promote a culture of risk prevention to improve working conditions in Europe, by providing technical, scientific and economic information to serve the needs of those involved in safety and health at work.

• Tripartite Board bringing together: - governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations- the European Commission


What we do

Research • We identify and assess new and emerging risks at work

− e.g. foresight, ESENER (EU survey of enterprises on new and emerging risks)• We mainstream OSH into other policy areas: public health, research,

environmental protection, transport, education, … Prevention

• We collect good practice examples• We develop hands-on instruments for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises

to help them assess their workplace risks, share knowledge and good practices on OSH− OiRA (Online interactive risk assessment)

Partnership• We work with and network governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations,

EU bodies, networks, and private companies− e.g. our EU network of national Focal Points

Campaigning• We organise major bi-annual EU “Healthy Workplace Campaigns”:

− 2012-2013: Working together for risk prevention− 2014-2015: Healthy workplaces manage stress


EU-OSHA mainstreams gender into its research

•Dedicated web section•Factsheets in 22 languages•eFacts, reports, for female-dominated sectors, risks/health problems relevant to women•Mainstreamed into all our activities (statistics, surveys, tools, good practice, sectors and occupations, research about vulnerable groups)•Included in our campaigns

http://osha.europa.eu/en/priority_groups/gender

http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/publications-overview?Subject:list=gender

Carries out specific research to provide reports and tools ◊ Review 2003 on gender issues◊ Risk assessment factsheets – gender and

diversity◊ Updated report on trends and issues 2014◊ Report on mainstreaming tools and policies

2015◊ Report on gender and age 2015






Recent trends

Women still work mainly in services, segregation continues Increases in part-time work and mini-jobs, multiple employment Increases in employment and activity highest for women aged 55-64 Older women work more in education, health and social work and public

administration, younger women more in HORECA and retail Female workforce ageing in some sectors – manufacturing, agriculture, health care,

education Increase in informal work, home/domestic services, difficult access for authorities Exposure to violence increasing Musculoskeletal disorders and mental health problems increasing Women´s access to rehabilitation and back-to-work limited Less access to consultation, worker representatives Younger and older, migrant women and those in personal services particularly

vulnerable Monitoring (accidents & health problems) does still not consider women enough, e.g.

typical accidents in education/health care not considered in statistical analysis Huge differences between Member states Little gender-specific information on impact of changes (e.g. technology)


Combined risks - a major issue for women at work

Risk factors, conditions Outcomes• Exposure to biological & chemical agents• Working in service sectors• Working at clients premises• Jobs not covered by OSH legislation• Multiple roles• Lack of information and training• Low control, autonomy and support• Prolonged standing and sitting• Static postures• Monotonous and repetitive work• Moving loads repetitively and moving

people• Client and patient contact

• Infectious diseases• Skin disorders, asthma• Stress and mental health problems• Different accidents: slips, trips and falls,

violence-related, needlestick injuries, cuts and sprains

• Fatigue and cognitive disorders• Musculoskeletal disorders


Gaps in practice - Rehabilitation and disability Findings and recommendations

Women with disabilities - at risk of double or triple discrimination. Accommodations for women basic or not existent. Rehabilitation schemes do not account for women’s needs, e.g. childcare needs during

rehabilitation. Employers to be encouraged to have flexible and effective rehabilitation/ back-to-work

policies, addressing female workers, temporary workers and part-timers, often women, young or migrant workers.

Pension systems and compensation not adapted.An example from MS: In Sweden, disability pensions are more favourable to men. Women denied pension

when able to do housework, equates to a higher level of well-being, although men are not assessed on this criterion.

More research for women on vocational retraining, rehabilitation and re-insertion into work needed.

Rehabilitation and back-to-work policies to address women´s distribution of MSDs and the higher prevalence of mental health disorders.

Women's work-related health problems leading to longer workplace absences and critical for reintegration.


OSH implications of employment trends

Employment trend Women more and more concentrated in part-time and casual

jobs, particularly in the retail trade and consumer services sector; impacts on their salaries and their career perspectives

Informal work and jobs in home care and as cleaners on the increase, especially for migrant women

Move towards mini-jobs, not covered by labour law Women continue to trail men in terms of career advancement and in

levels of compensation and gaining higher status

OSH implications Stress & related health problems,

fatigue and cognitive health problems

Repetitive strain injuries caused by repetitive and monotonous work

Low job control and autonomy, feelings of low self-esteem, low motivation, and job dissatisfaction for women

OSH difficult to organise for women who work at their clients premises, how to enforce, how to assess risks, how to ensure labour protection

Less access to (OSH) training, consultation, less representation in decision-making that may influence their working conditions


Female employment, by sector

60% of all employed women in 6 out of 62 sectors: health care & social

services, retail, education, public administration, business activities hotels and restaurants

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 20130

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

18,000

20,000

Human health & social work

Wholesale & retail trade

Education

Manufacturing

Public administration

Accommodation & food service

Prof., scientific & technical activities

Agriculture, forestry and fishing

Administrative & support service

Other service activities

Financial and insurance activities

Transportation and storage

Activities of households as employers

Information and communication

Arts, entertainment and recreation

Construction

Real estate activities

Electricity, gas, steam & air condit.

Water supply; sewerage, waste managemt

Mining and quarrying

Activities of extraterritorial organ-isations and bodies


Women and informal work – typical sectorsSector Vulnerable groups

OccupationsHealth and safety risks Specific issues

Agriculture Family workersUndeclared workersYoung people and children

Temperature and climatic conditionsPesticidesAccident risks, incl. from vehicles and machineryStrenuous work

Seasonal workIrregular working time

Retail Street retail trade and marketsGift shopsStreet vendors

Temperature, climatic conditionsErgonomic risks

“Envelope” wages

Manufacturing Pieced home workGarment and shoemakingTailoring

Accident risksPoor equipmentChemical and biological risks

Irregular piece workCasual work

Hotels and restaurants

Catering

Kitchen workersCleanersUnskilled workers

MSDsNoiseChemical and biological risksBurns and cuts

Seasonal workNight workIrregular working times“Envelope” wages

Personal services HairdressingCleaningTailoringAccounting, data processing

Biological and chemicalPoorly equipped

Casual workFalse self-employmentLow wages

Home and elderly care

CleaningChild careElderly care

Biological and chemicalMSDs, heavy liftingLack of ergonomic equipment and protective hygiene measures

Irregular working timeWorking at clients´ premisesLone workLack of facilitiesMental load


Characteristics of informal work for women

VulnerablegroupsOccupations

Health & safetyrisks

Specific issues Wider issues

Family workersUndeclared workersYoung peopleMigrant workers

Repetitive & monotonous workPhysically strenuous work Gendered violenceLack of access to facilitiesMental loadAccidents & diseases not recorded and compensatedLone work Lack of access to healthcare/preventive OSH services

Lacking access to preventive servicesLack of trainingNo access to consultationNo representationLack of basic rights (holidays, insurance, unemployment benefits)Hard & busy schedulesInadequate restWorking conditions depend on the relationship with the employer

Lack of pension rightsNo work contracts or temporary contractsHigher poverty risksLack of conciliation with family obligationsPoor career prospects No social or economic recognitionOverqualificationLow wages“Envelope” wagesNo access to formal jobsSocial exclusion

Ongoing research on undeclared work and exploitation by FRA, just presented at EU-OSHA


OSH implications of living conditions

Living conditions Women spend more time in unpaid

activities: childcare and care for dependent relatives, housework

Women often juggle multiple roles – be mothers, partners and carers as well as doing paid work and running a household

Disparity in pay between women and men still exists. Women overrepresented in low income, low status jobs (often part-time), and more likely to live in poverty

Poverty, working mainly in the home on housework and concerns about personal safety can make women particularly isolated

OSH implications Intensive caring can affect

emotional health, physical health, social activities and finances

Stress – particularly when jobs involve shift work, irregular working times, Saturday/Sunday and evening work

Fatigue and cognitive problems Accidents related to fatigue and

bad working conditions Musculoskeletal disorders Multiple risk factors, not always

easy to discriminate work-related risks

Accepting precarious and worse conditions at work


Care for children or family still main reason for non - or part-time employment

In Europe, employment gap between mothers with very young children (< 3 yrs)) with children in school age (6 -11 yrs) is on average 26 points for those aged 15 - 24, and 10 points for those aged 25 - 54

15,6

28,8

12,5

9,8

15,2

0 20 40 60

Retired

In education or training

Own illness or disability

Other family or personalresponsabilities

Looking after children orincapacitated adults

Main reason for not seeking employment, by gender, LFS, 2013

Men Women

0102030405060

Looking afterchildren or

incapacitated adults

Other family orpersonal

responsabilities

Own illness ordisability

In education ortraining

Could not find a full-time job

Other reasons

Main reason for working part-time, women, LFS, 2013

15 years and over

Between 15 and 24 years



65 years and over


Caring for relatives, not only childcare

UK :• 11% rise in the number of carers since 2001 - increasing by over 620,000 to 6.5 million in

just 10 years, about one-third are men.• caring round the clock, for 50 h or more each week, are rising faster - an increase of 25%

in the last ten years• Consequences: loss in income, physical and mental load, loss of employment

A UK survey among SMEs showed that 25% had either dealt with a worker affected by cancer or with a worker with care duties due to a cancer case

By 2050, Nr. of people over 85 will increase more than fivefold and Europe, having the oldest population will see a rapid increase in the demand for care.

BE: 164,789 jobs were created between 2004 and 2011 in the domestic services sector; in France, 300,000 jobs have been created in the same sector since 2005

Good practices:• In Canada, there is a statutory right to compassionate care leave. Employees can take up

to eight weeks unpaid leave to care for a gravely ill family member. • The Carer's Leave Act 2001 in the Republic of Ireland enables employees to leave their

employment to provide temporary full-time care and attention to a family member, a partner, friend or colleague.

Sources: Carers UK, 2014 report, facts and figures; IES, SME survey; NICA, final report


OSH implications of segregation into sectors

Employment trend Women still work mainly in

services, while men work mainly in construction, utilities, transport and manufacturing

Increases in activity highest for women aged 55-64

Older women work more in education, health and social work and public administration

Employment in manufacturing decreasing

Female workforce is ageing in some sectors – manufacturing, agriculture

Women highly represented in informal work, home and domestic services

OSH implications Different risks for men and women –

prolonged sitting and standing, static work significant for women

More client contact – more harassment and violence

Different risks for different age groups – prevention should be tailored

Occupational accident rates stagnating in some sectors, not recorded for education, health care and sectors with high rates of informal work, e.g. agriculture

Older women exposed to heavy work

Less access to training for older women, less access to consultation, representation and preventive services in the informal sector


Gender segregation by age OSH implications need to be further investigated

older women more in health social work and education, younger women more in retail and HORECA Employment in agriculture is decreasingFemale workforce in manufacturing, education and health & social work is ageing

Source: Eurostat LFS

Agricu

lture

Manufa

cturin

gReta

il

Hotels

and r

estau

rants

Public

admini

strati

on

Educa

tion

Health

& so

cial w

ork

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

Women aged 15 - 24, in 1000s, main employment sectors, 2008 and 2013

20082013

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

Women aged 50 - 64, in 1000s, main employment sectors, 2008 and 2013

20082013


Are female jobs light jobs?

Secondary analysis of the German workers survey found that Health care workers carry more than construction workers 2 in 3 have to carry heavy loads

(compared to 1 in 2 for construction workers) 93,8% have to do their work standing 36% have to work in unfavourable postures (kneeling,

bending, squatting, etc.) 71% have to do more than one task at a time More than ¾ (76%) work shifts More than half work nights (51%) Almost all work Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (94%, 91,5%)

57% men and 64 % women have back pain 66 % women and 54% men have pain in neck and shoulders 37% of the women have pain in the legs > 40% suffer from high emotional load (compared to 11 % on average) More than 1 in 4 feel that they hardly cope (27 vs 16.6 %) Twice as many as on average have sleeping problems (37% vs. 19%)

(Germany,BAuA survey, published Nov.2007)


Shift (Night) Work: Forecasted Attributable Cancers

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

4,500

2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060

Attr

ibut

able

regi

stra

tions

Forecast year

Shift work: breast cancer, women

(1) Current employment levels maintained, 30% <5, 40% 5-14, 30% 15+ years night shift work

(2) Linear employment trends to 2021-30(3) 50%<5, 30% 5-14, 20% 15+ years night shift work(4) 70%<5, 20% 5-14, 10% 15+(5) 90%<5, 10% 5-14, 0% 15+(6) 100% <5 years

Shift work reduction – a measure to reduce cancer burden?EU-OSHA Cancer seminar Sep. 2012 UK burden of disease data (Rushton, L.)


EU example – integrating gender into age management Austrian labour inspection campaign on age management at work

Ageing - female health care workers

Finding that training and chances of promotion end at the age of 45; high work rates, work organisation or working hours and the structure of the work environment continues to be tailored to younger people.

Projection of the age structure – health and social service - blue-collar workers

Source: Austrian labour inspection service ZAI

2.2

6.3

910

15.1

19.7

18

11.8

6.8

1.2

6.8

1.22.2

6.3

910

15.1

19.7

18

11.8

0

5

10

15

20

25

15-20 21-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50 51-55 55-60 61-65

20072016

• 300 enterprises (15/ regional labour inspectorate) selected for interventions•Advice to employers • employers to assess the age structure of their workforce• attempt a projection of expected changes• have a plan for addressing existing and future health problems• folders, tools and brochures developed jointly, practical to SMEs


Occupational accidents – gender differences

Causes and circumstances different due to employment in different sectors and occupations• Slips, trips and falls• Accidents due to violence

Indications that some types of accidents more frequent in women working rotating shifts, e.g. health care – influence of living conditions?

Accidents in some female-dominated sectors on the rise in some countries (HORECA – young workers!)

Some female-dominated sectors (education, health care, public service) not or insufficiently addressed

Informal work and mini-jobs – accidents not assessed/recorded


Women at work - Accident rates generally decreasing, but trends very different for women and men, depending on sector

Health care and education previously not included in top accident sectors! Informal work – not considered in accident statistics Many more women work part-time – adjust for working time Commuting accidents important for women While accident rates are decreasing for men with age, they are not for women!

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

Manufacturing NACED

Electricity, gas andwater supply NACE

E

Construction NACEF

Wholesale and retail,repair, NACE G

Hotels andrestaurants NACE H

Transport, storageand communication

NACE I

Financialintermediation; realestate, renting andbusiness activities

NACE J_K

F 1995 M 1995 F 1996 M 1996 F 1997 M 1997 F 1998 M 1998 F 1999 M 1999 F 2000 M 2000

F 2001 M 2001 F 2002 M 2002 F 2003 M 2003 F 2004 M 2004 F 2005 M 2005 F 2006 M 2006

Standardised incidence rate of accidents at work by economic activity, severity and sex (per 100 000 workers), EU-15, 1995-2006, ESAW, Eurostat

Men

Women


Women at work - Accident rates generally decreasing, but trends very different for women and men, depending on sector

New NACE coding for industrial sectors reflects better sectors where accident rates high for female workers

Accident rates for women relevant in service sectors (transport, HORECA, waste management, health and social work) and administrative jobs, and in manufacturing and agriculture

Transport& storage

Accommod. & food services

Admin. & support service

Health & social work

Water supply, sewerage, waste man.

Manufacturing Wholesale & retail trade

Agriculture, forestry &

fishing

Arts, entertainment

& recreation

Public admin.

Real estate Other service activities

Construction Education0

5001,0001,5002,0002,5003,0003,5004,0004,5005,000

Incidence rate of non-fatal accidents, by gender, ESAW, 2008-2011

Males 2008 Females 2008 Males 2009 Females 2009 Males 2010 Females 2010

Males 2011 Females 2011


Transport accidents – by genderA much higher injury risk for women

work trips commuting transport accidents total0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

5.749

35.955

16.902

12.521

69.796

44.394

menwomen

type of journey

inju

red

/ 1 m

illio

m h

ours

Source „Initiative Sicherer Arbeitsweg - Weinheim 2011 - Dr. Geiler“

• Commercial traffic is riskier than general traffic

• Commuting more dangerous than business routes

• Modal choice strongly relevant-for example highest risk for motorcycles, pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency services

• Women are at higher risk of injury

• Risk decreases with age• Depends on times of day,

seasons relevant


Women’s exposure to dangerous substances remains largely unexplored

Substance Source Circumstances Occupation, task

Pesticides & storage chemicals

FoodstuffStoragePlantsAnimals

• Agriculture and farming

• Horticulture• Workers who handle

goods from containers and in storage areas

• Farmers & agricultural workers

• Gardeners• Retail• Cleaners

Exhaust fumes

Diesel exhaust and particles

Exhaust from combustion engine, incl. diesel and other engines on trucks, ships, trains and buses

• Unintentional contact when loading and unloading

• Maintenance• Refuelling• Parking areas of

vehicles

• Maintenance workers

• Retail workers• Drivers, delivery

and cargo workers• Workers on mission• Transport workers• Emergency workers


Women’s exposure to dangerous substances remains largely unexploredSubstance Source Circumstances Occupation, task

Solvents

Cleaning productsFuelsAmbient airPaints, inks, glues and varnishesCosmeticsResins and gluesDrugs

CleaningDry-cleaning of textilesPrintingLaboratory workHandling medicationFabrication of dental and optometric devices

ManufacturingLeather industryTextile industryCleaners and dry-cleanersHairdressersService workers on ships, trains, busesPrintingLaboratory work, pharmacists, chemists

Biological and infectious agents

AnimalsFoodstuffs, perishable goodsInsects and other vectorsContact with passengers, patients, clients

CleaningContact with foodstuffsContact with infected clients and goodsContact with animalsCuts and stingsContact with infectious agents when travelling abroad

Farmers and agricultural workersCleanersService and maintenance workersHealthcare staffHairdressersCatering staffTeachers and nursery school workersRetail workersHome care


EU-OSHA publications highlighting chemical and biological risks to womenCombined exposures!

! Monitoring of cancer risk factors and work-related cancer: exposures to women overlooked, part-time women excluded from some studies

Noise in figures – OSH in figures report – highlights exposures in food and textile manufacturing, education, health care and other service professions

Combined exposures to noise and ototoxic substances – literature review Transport sector – OSH in figures report – highlights overlooked exposures

to women in general, in particular women in service tasks (restauration, cleaning)

Factsheets on respiratory and skin sensitisers, highlight exposures to biological agents in service sectors, health care, etc.

Reports on cleaners – highlight exposures to precarious workers and lack of training and information

Report on HORECA and efacts on Dangerous substances in HORECA – highlights multiple exposures and lack of information

Legionella and legionnaires’ disease: European policies and good practices, Report and Factsheet 100


Women at work – younger women

Employment trend Unemployment gap betw. young

men and women has clearly diminished, in some countries unemployment of young men has even become slightly higher.

Younger women work more in retail and HORECA

Younger women work more in low-qualified jobs and on temporary contracts

Gender pay gap already at the start of career

Employment gap particularly high for mothers aged 15 - 24 with very young and with children in school age

OSH implications Different risks and trends for

different age groups – prevention should be tailored

Lack of experience and training of young women

Younger women exposed to sexual harassment

High exposure to violence, due to client contact

Occupational accidents even increasing in some countries in female-dominated sectors, such as HORECA

Less access to consulation, preventive services, representation at enterprise level

Young mothers a particularly vulnerable group


EU example - integrating gender in the work of labour inspection Austrian labour inspection Gender Mainstreaming Policy

Improved compliance – benefits women and men Inspectors responsibility to set the right climate. How can they

influence: the workplace level – broader prevention level Integrated into national OSH strategy – gender budgeting Austrian Inspectorate gender mainstreaming project

• Mainstream gender into the working lives of inspectors- helps to raise awareness

• Mainstream gender into daily work of inspectors• Guidelines for inspectors – always speak to both men and

women – checklists, does my advice cover both women and men? will my advice benefit men and women?

• Training for inspectors• Gender focus in guides for cleaners, investigation on female

musicians, gender mainstreamed into actions for ageing workers

The labour inspection staff act....considering the different situation of women and men in a working enviroment and .. regarding to the fact, that OSH measures should be gender-sensitive

Presentation available athttps://osha.europa.eu/en/seminars/seminar-on-women-at-work-raising-the-profile-of-women-and-occupational-safety-and-health-osh

https://osha.europa.eu/en/seminars/seminar-on-women-at-work-raising-the-profile-of-women-and-occupational-safety-and-health-osh

https://osha.europa.eu/en/seminars/seminar-on-women-at-work-raising-the-profile-of-women-and-occupational-safety-and-health-osh

http://www.arbeitsinspektion.gv.at/ai/


https://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/factsheets/87


Gender mainstreamingDeveloping risk assessment tools

Mainstreaming, gender-sensitivity means: ensuring both women and men are included in all h&s activities and doing a ‘gender-check’

EU-OSHA factsheet 43 provides a basic approach:• Avoid assumptions of who is at risk• Include women’s jobs and consult them• Look at real work situations• Match jobs, equipment to real people• Include work-life balance• Incorporate into a holistic approach

Examples of practical tools and their application needsharing

http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/factsheets/43/view


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