28 HEALTH AND SANITATION
How Can IWSH Contribute Building Equality ?
By Mike Flenniken
David Viola , IAPMO CEO
In the spirit of the sharing of unique experiences that shape the plumbing industries in our respective nations , the following article looks at whether genderfriendly restrooms are becoming more common at construction jobsites . Written by IAPMO staff writer Mike Flenniken , it is the next in a regular series of similar articles that will run in this magazine .
Dave Viola IAPMO CEO
“ Mendias said the industry ’ s inclusion and acceptance
of women is slowly but surely moving in the right direction .”
Though gender gaps still exist , construction jobsites are becoming more accommodating to female plumbers .
Patricia Contreras could hardly believe her ears .
She had just begun working at a large construction project in Los Angeles and being the only woman on the job site , inquired about the restroom facilities .
“ The project manager told me , ‘ Hey , if you need to use the restroom , just walk down to the shopping centre ,’ which was down the street ,” she said . “ And I was like , ‘ I cannot tell my boss , ‘ Hey , I ’ ll be back ; I ’ m going to Ralphs just to use the restroom .”
Though perhaps more extreme than most , Contreras ’ experience is consistent with the results of a recent survey in which nearly two-thirds ( 64 %) of women cited the absence of gender-friendly restroom facilities at construction sites .
Lumber , a pioneering construction workforce management platform tailored for construction contractors , conducted a ratings-based survey of more than 100 tradeswomen , construction owners and industry executives for the ‘ She Builds Nation : The Business Case for Supporting Women in Construction ’ report .
A fourth-year plumbing apprentice at UA Local 761 in Burbank , California , who primarily works on large construction sites , Contreras said she is typically the only female plumber . When there is a sign designating the portable restroom as being for women , she said men will often learn the access code and use it because they know it will be cleaner and better stocked than the others .
“ I wouldn ’ t mind , but I don ’ t need a dirty urinal in my face when I use the bathroom ,” she said . “ Or honestly if they would just act human and use it for its intended purpose and exit afterward . I don ’ t understand how someone could rip off a toilet seat when using the bathroom .”
Fortunately , other women have had better experiences .
Stephanie Mendias , who recently completed her plumbing apprenticeship at UA Local 78 in Los Angeles , said she increasingly sees more women on her crews , and they have a designated portable restroom .
“ Since there are more women coming onto the job site , I am having to share it with multiple women ,” she said , “ which isn ’ t an issue because it ’ s a lot cleaner than the other ones .”
In her experience , general contractors typically allow them to use the restrooms in their offices , if necessary , but that can be an issue given how far they can be from where they ’ re working .
Mendias said she sometimes bounces around from one site to another , but when it becomes clear that she will be at one for a while , they are good about ordering one for her when necessary .
“ Usually they already know ,” she said . “ They ’ re like , ‘ Oh , we need to get you a restroom .’ Luckily , I ’ ve been fortunate that it hasn ’ t been an issue for me to not have my own facilities to use .”
However , the overall lack of bathroom maintenance can be an issue on some jobsites .
“ Sometimes the men also complain about the way the facilities are being kept up ,” Mendias said . “ It sucks for both of us if they ’ re not being cleaned regularly . Sometimes they get torn up because homeless people will break in , or they just don ’ t keep up with the cleaning .”
The report examines critical issues women face in the construction industry and advocates for greater support and inclusivity within the construction ecosystem .
In addition to gender-friendly restrooms , the survey asked about the availability of gender-friendly safety equipment such as PPEs , safety harnesses and hard hats .
Two-thirds of respondents ( 67 %) said gender-friendly safety equipment is not available at construction sites ; Contreras and Mendias agreed .
Mendias said PPE , including helmets , vests , gloves and harnesses , is typically provided . However , while femalespecific fall protection harnesses are available on the market , she said she has never seen them ; instead , she uses the training they receive to adjust harnesses the best she can .
www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline January 2025 Volume 30 I Number 11