A gender-sensitive approach in action
[ch 1: page 9]The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) report, Managing risks for drivers in road transport, highlights a good example of a gender-sensitive approach to occupational safety and health in action.
A project involving the Spanish CCOO and UGT trade unions, the National Business Federation for Bus Transport and the Foundation for the Prevention of Occupational Risks, aimed to improve the working environment for women bus drivers in Spain — a male-dominated occupation. Research carried out as part of the project identified psychosocial risks including stress, poor ergonomics, workload and issues related to personal hygiene, lack of training, working hours and work life balance.
The project recommended a number of improvements including better bus cab design, appropriate breaks, providing sanitary facilities in cooperation with local authorities, work to prevent violence and harassment, adapting work schedules to the real conditions of driving and setting up childcare facilities. Many of these recommendations improved the working conditions for all drivers — male and female.
EU-OSHA Managing risks to drivers in road transport: https://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/reports/managing-risks-drivers_TEWE11002ENN/view
EU-OSHA Mainstreaming gender into occupational safety and health practice: https://osha.europa.eu/en/tools-and-publications/publications/reports/mainstreaming-gender-into-occupational-safety-and-health-practice