The profession of occupational health and safety technician: Does gender matter?

Abstract

Workers' health and safety, and equality between men and women are two of the main challenges currently facing the labor framework in Spain. Despite the fact that the different risks faced by men and women have been widely studied, the way in which gender can affect the working conditions and career development of occupational health and safety (OHS) technicians has hardly been investigated. To delve into this aspect, a study has been carried out by conducting semistructured interviews with six women who work as OHS technicians and a survey among OHS technicians in the Basque Country (Spain) with 124 responses. The results suggest that there are differences between men and women both in the conditions and in the career development of the OHS technician profession. These differences appear in various thematic blocks such as empowerment, recognition, or aspirations. Women tend to be more skeptical than men on gender equality issues such as the idea of equal promotion opportunities for men and women, or the notion that men's and women's ideas are equally valued, or the way in which having children affects men and women's aspirations. It is very important to reduce these gender differences to achieve a more efficient work environment, which can lead to more efficient OHS management.