Women in Dangerous Jobs: What You Need to Know

Did you know that women are increasingly taking on more dangerous jobs than ever before? In fact, the number of women getting hurt on the job is rising every year. Construction, painting, and other traditionally male-dominated fields are now seeing an influx of women who are willing to put their safety on the line to provide for their families. At Rohan law, we want to honor these brave women by sharing some little-known facts about their contributions to the workforce and providing some insights about women’s rights at work that every woman should know.

Women are taking on more jobs that require intense physical labor

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women are now more likely than men to be injured on the job. In fact, in 2016 women accounted for nearly half of all workers who were seriously injured or killed on the job. While women have always worked in dangerous jobs, their numbers are increasing every year as they move into fields that have traditionally been dominated by men. This is largely due to the fact that women are now more likely than ever before to be the primary breadwinners for their families.

The most dangerous jobs cause temporary and permanent physical trauma

Many jobs are unsafe in general, especially for women. And as women enjoy more career choices, employers are tasked with creating safe environments that take into account the unique needs of women, not just men. Some of the most dangerous jobs for women include roles in the following industries. 

• Military service
• Structural ironworker/Steelworker
• Oil driller
• Law enforcement
• Housekeeping
• Social worker
• Construction worker
• Truck driver

Many jobs that women take on are considered dangerous because of the physical labor involved (construction, painting, etc). Here at Rohan Law, we have seen an increase in work-related accidents among women in construction, housekeeping, and driving jobs. For example, some construction injuries happen because safety equipment is poorly fitted to women’s bodies. Other injuries happen because women are more likely to be assaulted in their roles as housekeepers or drivers.

Women need to know they have rights

Many women do not realize they have certain rights at work, including the right to workers’ compensation. When they get hurt, they can get paid a portion of their wages so they can recover from their work injuries. They also have a right to get their medical bills paid. In fact, all employees have a right to file a worker’s compensation claim without fear of losing their jobs. This is true even if you are not a US citizen or permanent resident. All workers have equal rights regardless of their legal status, their race, or their gender.

If you or a woman in your life is concerned about their safety at work and wants to discuss their rights with an attorney we are here to help. At rohan law we have attendants available to take your call 24/7  and our first consultation is always free. We believe in empowering the Atlanta community with the knowledge they need to make sure their rights are respected.

At Rohan Law, we are committed to helping all injured workers the legal help they need. We are sensitive to the unique needs of women because our team consists of women who serve our clients through various leadership and support roles. We want to invite you to share this information with women in dangerous jobs and encourage them to get the legal help they need if they are injured on the job. If you have been hurt while working and don’t know where to turn, please give us a call for a free consultation. We will be happy to answer any of your questions and help you file a worker’s compensation claim. Thank you for reading!