The TUC has published a new guide for trade union representatives to help them take gender differences between men and women into account when identifying health and safety concerns at work. ‘Gender in occupational health and safety’ says that a gender-stereotyped or ‘one size fits all’ approach to risk assessment is now out-of-date. The new guide, which will equally be of benefit to employers, outlines some of the main health and safety risks women can face at work, e.g. back pain because of repetitive work. The guide also provides a checklist to help pursue issues around gender at work, e.g. whether sex and gender differences are considered in manual handling risk assessments and in assessments of postural problems including prolonged standing or sitting.

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