November 26, 2001—The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has an expanding research program to address the occupational safety and health needs of working women. According to NIOSH, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) account for more than half (52%) of the injuries and illnesses suffered by female workers. In addition:
- Women currently comprise 46% of the 137 million workers in the United States, with their share of the labor force projected to reach 48% by 2008.
- In 1999, 75% (46 million) of employed women worked full-time, while 25% (16 million) worked part-time.
- In 1999, 3.7 million women held multiple jobs.
- 60% of women age 16 and over were either employed or looking for work in 1999.
- Of employed women, 40% held technical, sales, and administrative support positions; 32% worked in managerial and professional specialties; and 17% worked in service occupations in 1999.
MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
Sprains and strains, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and other musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) account for 52% of the injuries and illnesses suffered by female workers, as compared to 45% for male workers. Further research is needed to determine whether physical differences between men and women, or differences in the jobs they hold, contribute to this increased risk for women. NIOSH is conducting research on MSDs among women in the telecommunications, health care, service, and data entry industries.
JOB STRESS
Stress at work is a growing problem for all workers, including women. In one survey 60% of employed women cited stress as their number one problem at work. Furthermore, levels of stress-related illness such as cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, depression, and burnout are nearly twice as high for women as for men. Many job conditions contribute to stress among women, such as heavy workload demands; little control over work; role ambiguity and conflict; job insecurity; poor relationships with coworkers and supervisors; and work that is narrow, repetitive, and monotonous. Other factors, such as sexual harassment and work and family balance issues, may also be stressors.
REPRODUCTIVE HAZARDS
Three-quarters of women of reproductive age are in the workforce. Over half of the children born in the United States are born to working mothers. NIOSH conducts both basic research and population-based studies to learn whether women may be at risk for reproductive health hazards related to their work environment. As one example of NIOSH research on reproductive hazards, NIOSH found no association between video display terminals (VDTs) and miscarriages, low birth-weights in newborns, or pre-term deliveries.
VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE
Homicide is the leading cause of injury death for women in the workplace, accounting for 40% of all workplace death among female workers. Workplace homicides are primarily robbery-related, and often occur in grocery/convenience stores, eating and drinking establishments, and gasoline service stations. Over 25% of female victims of workplace homicide are assaulted by people they know (coworkers, customers, spouses, or friends). Domestic violence incidents that spill into the workplace account for 16% of female victims of job-related homicides. Female workers are also at risk for nonfatal violence. Women were the victims in nearly two-thirds of the injuries resulting from workplace assaults. Most of these assaults (70%) were directed at women employed in service occupations, such as health care, while an additional 20% of these incidents occurred in retail locations, such as restaurants and grocery stores.
HEALTH CARE WORKERS
Ninety-two percent of the 4.3 million nurses and nursing aides in the US are female. In addition to being at risk for incidents of MSDs, workplace violence, and exposure to hazardous substances, health care workers face other hazards including latex allergy and needlestick injuries. NIOSH has established a new initiative to study the health and safety of health care workers.
WOMEN IN NON-TRADITIONAL EMPLOYMENT
Women in non-traditional employment may face health and safety risks due to the equipment and clothing provided to them at their workplace. Personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing (PPC) are often designed for average-sized men. The protective function of PPE/PPC (such as respirators, work gloves, and work boots) may be reduced when they do not fit female workers properly. Women who work in nontraditional employment settings may also face specific types of stressors such as sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination.
CANCER
An estimated 180,000 new cases of breast cancer and 12,000 new cases of cervical cancer will be diagnosed in 2000. Workplace exposures to hazardous substances may play a role in the development of these types of cancer. NIOSH is studying several hazardous substances to determine whether there is a link to cancers that affect women. Among these are ethylene oxide (ETO), used to sterilize medical supplies; polychlorinated biphenyl compounds (PCBs), used in the electrical industry until 1977 (although banned in 1977, products made with PCBs remain in the workplace and the environment); and perchloroethylene (PERC), the main solvent used in the drycleaning industry.
PUBLICATIONS
NIOSH has published numerous documents that are relevant to the health and safety of women in the workplace, available at 800/356-4674, or by e-mail: pubstaft@cdc.gov, or by visiting NIOSH ‘s page on women’s health and safety in the workplace.
