Gender differences in occupational exposure patterns

Abstract

Objectives:We conducted a population-based survey to examine gender differences in occupational exposure patterns and to investigate whether any observed differences are due to: a) gender differences in occupational distribution; and/or b) gender differences in tasks within occupations. Methods:Men and women aged 20-64 years were randomly selected from the Electoral Roll and invited to take part in a telephone interview, which collected information on selfreported occupational exposure to specific dusts and chemicals, physical exposures, and organisational factors. We used logistic regression to calculate prevalence odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) comparing the exposure prevalence of males (n=1,431) and females (n=1,572), adjusting for age. To investigate whether men and women in the same occupation were equally exposed, we also matched males to females on current occupation (5-digit code) (n=1,208) and conducted conditional logistic regression adjusting for age. Results:Overall, male workers were two to four times more likely to report exposure to dust and chemical substances, loud noise, irregular hours, night shifts, and vibrating tools. Women were 30% more likely to report repetitive tasks and working at high speed and more likely to report exposure to disinfectants, hair dyes, and textile dust. When men were compared with women with the same job title, gender differences were attenuated. However, males remained significantly more likely to report exposure to welding fumes, herbicides, wood dust, solvents, tools that vibrate, irregular hours, and night shift work. Women remained more likely to report repetitive tasks and working at high speed, and in addition were more likely to report awkward or tiring positions compared to men with the same job title. Conclusion:This population-based study showed substantial differences in occupational exposure patterns between men and women, due to both gender differences in occupational distribution as well as the gender segregation of tasks within the same job.3

Mortality among 24,865 workers exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in three electrical capacitor manufacturing plants: A ten-year update

“…It has been noted that working and general populations of women differ in risk factors (Bond et al, 1987) and female and male employees in the same industry may have different tasks even if they have the same job title (Stellman, 1999). The observed mortality differences between male and female workers may be due to differences in work assignments, differences in physiology, and differences in how their bodies reacted to PCBs (Eng et al, 2011;Messing and Mager Stellman, 2006;Silvaggio and Mattison, 1994). Since various PCB congeners have estrogenic, anti-estrogenic, androgenic or anti-androgenic properties (Diamanti-Kandarakis et al, 2009), it follows that female-male hormonal differences might be associated with the activity of PCBs in the body (Meeker and Hauser, 2010;Salehi et al, 2008).…”

Work-Related Injury and Management Strategies Among Certified Athletic Trainers

“…29 These characteristics may be related to increased exposure or the hazards experienced by females or those working in school settings. Earlier authors 31 found differences in occupational exposures between men and women within the same occupation. These differences may also reflect the ability or tendency (or both) to report injuries by sex and work setting.…”

Occupational Role and Long-Term Survival After Myocardial Infarction

“…Женщины более часто трудо-устраиваются на неполный рабочий день, в свою оче-редь, мужчины чаще работают в условиях физических нагрузок, под воздействием высоких уровней шума и/ или вибрации, а также при более длительном рабочем дне и на более высоких должностях [16]. Даже в пределах одних и тех же профессиональных групп мужчины харак-теризуются более выраженным воздействием неблаго-приятных физических факторов, ночными сменами и нерегулярной работой [17]. В результате, зачастую, мужчины продолжают трудовую деятельность даже в условиях серьезных нарушений состояния здоровья, при которых женщины прекращают трудовую деятель-ность.…”