Gender and Occupational Safety and Health

ILO / SafeWorkJoannah CabornAnd Carin Hakansta

ILO Aims

Gender:gender equality

Occupational Safety and Health:fewer accidents and diseases

adapt work to the workerimprove workers’ well-beingtripartite action

Some definitions

Gender:social differences

Sex:biological

differences

Gender equality:no discrimination of sex or gender

equal opportunities

Gender sensitivity

recognising differences between men’s and women’s needs and roles

is the current situation unfair to men or to women?

what can be done to remove any inequities?

OSH & gender sensitivity

do men and women have different accidents and diseases?

which of these does occupational safety and health typically concentrate on?

Accidents and diseases

MENmore fatal and

non-fatal accidentsmore heart disease

and cancerunder- and late

reporting of illnessviolence

WOMENmore musculo-

skeletal diseasesmore stress,

depression, anxietymore reporting of

illnessviolence

“Traditional” OSH

Accident preventionContaining or eliminating chemical

hazardsDisease prevention (cancer, asbestosis)Noise prevention (mechanical)

Traditionally male dominated sectors

Also “man as norm” for ergonomics, statistics

“Traditional” OSH

Gender concerns: women’s reproductive health

e.g. protection during and after pregnancy

protecting women, but can be discriminatory

may also ignore dangers for men1948 women prohibited from night work in

industry (Convention 89)1995 protection for all night workers

(Convention 171)

“Modern” OSH

Protection for all workers, men and women

Male and female reproductive health Disease recognition

Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI)Psychosocial problems

Violence in public service sector

Why?

WOMENCaring jobsLight, repetitive

jobsUnpaid workPart-time jobs

Lower status and less pay

MENTechnical jobsManual jobsManagerial jobsFull-time jobs

Higher status and more pay

OSH for equality

How to empower via OSH:

Equal opportunity

Gender-sensitive research

Gender-sensitive legislation and policy

Gender-balanced participation

Equal opportunity

Making all occupations accessible to men and women

Protection for men and women

Ensure health of men and women

Research

Gender-segregated statistics

Wider data collection

Equal protection needs

Standards and limits for men and women

Legislation and policy

From protective but discriminatory legislation

To equal opportunity legislationNational OSH Policy

Coherent national approach Gender-specific provisions where

necessary Tripartite action and guidance

Participation

Identify needs and constraintsProvide both perspectivesInput into

Policy making Programme development Information and training programmes

Empowerment