- Conference
- 2021 Virtual Special Local Government Service Group Conference
- Date
- 31 March 2021
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes Caroline Criado Perez�s recent book �Invisible Women� which set out how men�s dominance of the design industry has a major impact on women�s health and safety.
For women working in local government and schools, the experience of working during the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted this impact.
Some examples include:
1)71% of women wear protective work clothing for their council jobs that isn�t designed for women�s bodies. As working during the pandemic showed to devastating effect, Ill-fitting PPE can be dangerous, can lead to injury and even death as it simply isn�t doing what it�s designed for.
2)Tools used in local authority roles are usually designed for men, often making them more difficult for women to use. They are often heavy and cumbersome to hold.
3)The average smartphone � 5.5 inches long � is too big for most women�s hands, and it doesn�t often fit in our pockets.
4)Many women are exposed to hazardous substances in their work in schools for example – and at home, for example when cleaning. The risk assessment effect of this exposure is based on men but women have different hormones and immune systems together with thinner skin and therefore exposure to these chemicals affects women differently. Women also have a lower threshold to the level of toxins they can be exposed to before they are absorbed by the body. Despite women undertaking a disproportionate amount of domestic and workplace cleaning tasks, the majority of cleaning products are tested on men.
Conference notes that health and safety issues and particularly those affecting women, provide a significant organising and recruitment opportunity in the post-pandemic world of work.
Conference asks the Service Group Executive to:
a)Work with the National Women�s and National Health and Safety Committees to build a campaign for:
i)Testing and risk assessments to be individual;
ii)Employers to avoid suppliers who do not provide PPE that fits everyone;
b)Work with LAOS to ensure that health and safety training recognises and raises awareness of the need for personally tailored risk assessments and testing;
c)Work with regions to encourage women working in local government and schools to become safety reps.