Supporting pregnant construction workers: Advice for physicians

Silver Spring, MD — Health care providers can help pregnant construction workers stay safe on the job. A new resource from CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training explains how.

Physicians’ Alert: Pregnant Construction Worker Safety and Health outlines the hazards and challenges pregnant workers may face. Designed for workers to print and share, the document includes guidelines for providing care, as well as how a clinician can write an impactful letter to ensure the worker receives necessary accommodations on the job.

Pregnancy may require temporary changes to how workers perform their duties. For instance, they may have difficulty standing for long periods, stooping, lifting or climbing. They also may have a lower tolerance for heat and need to drink more water.

CPWR notes that pregnant workers may be entitled to accommodations under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, in effect since June. 

The newest publication is among various resources CPWR has published to respond to the specific challenges faced by female, nonbinary and transgender workers in the construction industry. 

CPWR also has compiled a list of commercially available extended-size PPE for pregnant workers.