About the campaign

Women face different health and safety risks, because of biology and social attitudes. But because most workplaces, machines, personal protective equipment and safety programs have been designed to suit male workers, women have often been left out. Even worse, their concerns are sometimes ridiculed.

USW’s National Policy Conference in 2019 unanimously passed a resolution calling for action. Raising the Bar on Women’s Health and Safety is the result.

The campaign aims to:

  • Increase awareness of women’s health and safety issues, making them core USW health and safety issues.
  • Increase women’s participation in health and safety activism, including on committees and in USW courses.
  • Increase respect and space for women’s voices and ideas in workplaces and our union.

Let’s mobilize inside our local unions, health and safety committees and women’s committees and use the USW Action Guide for Raising the Bar on Women’s Health and Safetythe inspection checklist, and the presentation packageSign up to receive updates and new resources as they become available.

News

Image for Let’s Raise the Bar on women’s health and safety

Let’s Raise the Bar on women’s health and safety

May 6, 2022 | News Articles
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Click to read the article about Let’s Raise the Bar on women’s health and safety
Image for The FCEF can help you plan events!

The FCEF can help you plan events!

February 11, 2022 | News Articles
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Click to read the article about The FCEF can help you plan events!
Image for Breastfeeding and mining belong together

Breastfeeding and mining belong together

November 25, 2021 | News Articles
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Click to read the article about Breastfeeding and mining belong together

Resources

Hygiene facility regulations and requirements by jurisdiction

Policy
December 16, 2024
Click to view Hygiene facility regulations and requirements by jurisdiction

Finding good PPE for women

Misc. Resources
October 18, 2024
Click to view Finding good PPE for women

Staying healthy menopause checklist

Forms • Misc. Resources
June 28, 2022
Click to view Staying healthy menopause checklist

Raising the Bar Lunch and Learn

Misc. Resources
June 27, 2022
Click to view Raising the Bar Lunch and Learn

Merchandise order form

Are you putting on an educational event about USW’s Raising the Bar campaign? We want to ship you free stuff! Please download, complete the order form below, so we know how many of each item you want.

USW Anti-Harassment and Anti-Violence Policies and Programs

There are two principles fundamental to the trade union movement: human rights and solidarity. Harassment and violence strike at the heart of both. That’s why the USW has adopted these policies and programs.

What Women of Steel say

At the 2019 USW National Policy Conference, sister after sister spoke passionately at the microphones about health and safety issues women face on the job. Delegates listened with respect, giving several standing ovations. Watch the highlights here:

Support from USW Canadian Directors

Here’s what former USW National Director Ken Neumann has to say about the campaign:

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