During the 20th century, women became a valuable force in the American workplace. Like their male peers, they fill many important roles, providing services and duties that greatly bolster our economy. While it is important to acknowledge the contributions women make to the workforce, it is equally important to understand the health hazards and injury risks to which they are exposed.

In Alabama, women have a wealth of career opportunities to choose from and part of making a good decision is taking into account the risks associated with these jobs. According to the CDC, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women are at a high risk for several workplace injuries and illnesses. This is especially true as women find more and more of a foothold in industries typically dominated by men.

Stress is a real problem for many female workers. The CDC reports that women often face more gender-specific work-related stress factors than some men do. These factors include sex discrimination and trying to balance work and family as well as traditional stressors like having too much work to do.

Women who work in male dominated industries like construction face additional health risks. Some of these risks occur because women and men have physiological differences that make some tasks more challenging for women. Violence is also a major consideration for women working in traditional male jobs. The CDC reports that homicide is the most common cause of death for women in the workplace.

No one is telling women that they should stop doing the work they love, even in a male-dominated industry. Rather, women should look at all job opportunities objectively and weigh the risks against the rewards. We also encourage women who are injured or made sick on-the-job to seek the legal help they need if they are denied their right to make a workers’ compensation claim. Learn more by exploring our website.