A new national benchmark for women’s safety, dignity and progression on construction sites has been launched.
Construction for Women (CFW) has authored the Construction for Women: National Site Standard for Female Operatives, a first-of-its-kind, governance-led UK framework defining the minimum conditions required to ensure women are supported and protected across construction sites where the standard is adopted.
The Standard is being formally launched at the House of Lords on 14 January, reflecting growing political, regulatory and industry focus on women’s safety, equality and the future construction workforce.
The Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) is the first national body to adopt the Standard, marking a significant step towards consistent, sector-wide implementation.
The Standard responds to urgent and widely acknowledged challenges across the sector, including unsuitable PPE, inadequate welfare provision, inconsistent behavioural expectations, and the persistent under-representation and attrition of women on site.
The framework arrives at a pivotal moment as political, regulatory and public attention intensifies around workplace equality, women’s safety and national skills shortages.
The Standard establishes clear, enforceable expectations for how contractors, clients, public bodies and site teams must create safe, respectful and equitable working conditions for women.
It is designed to sit within existing governance and assurance models and can be embedded into:
· Site audit and assurance frameworks
· Compliance and governance standards
· Social value delivery models
· Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategies
· Public-sector procurement and framework requirements
· Women remain significantly underrepresented in site-based roles
· Many who enter the industry face avoidable safety and cultural barriers
· No unified national benchmark previously existed to define minimum site expectations
· A modern, skilled workforce requires inclusive environments that retain diverse talent
The National Site Standard provides the clarity, consistency and accountability the industry urgently needs.
1. Safety – PPE, welfare and systems of work must meet women’s physical and operational needs.
2. Dignity – Sites must provide clean, private, secure welfare facilities.
3. Representation – Women must have equal access to opportunities, briefings and site participation.
4. Behaviour – Zero tolerance for harassment or discriminatory conduct.
5. Accessibility – Work must be planned to include all women, including young entrants and returners.
6. Progression – Women must have access to mentoring, training and development pathways.
· PPE
· Female-fit PPE as standard issue
· Correct sizing and ergonomic design
· Available from day one, not on request
· Welfare
· Private, secure toilets
· Clean, dedicated spaces
· Storage for personal items
· Space for wellbeing or maternity-related needs
· Zero-tolerance enforcement
· Clear, confidential reporting routes
· Trained supervisors and site leadership
Operational Practice
· Inclusive task allocation
· Fair systems of work
· Inclusive communication and briefings
· Mandatory briefing on the Standard at induction
· Clear expectations of conduct
· Supported access to mentors
The Standard is designed for structured national rollout through:
1. Communication – Industry-wide dissemination.
2. Governance Integration – Embedding within audits, best practice and policy.
3. Training & Induction – Workforce education at all levels.
4. On-Site Support – Alignment with site leadership, inductions and existing training and assurance processes.
5. National Alignment – Adoption by institutions, contractors, governing bodies and public sector frameworks.
CFW provides the sector with:
· Authoritative leadership and technical expertise
· Expert guidance to support implementation
· National mentoring and retention frameworks
· Training for site teams, managers and leadership groups
· Ongoing refinement of the standard based on evidence, insight and lived experience.
· Policy engagement and alignment with parliamentary direction
The National Site Standard establishes a clear baseline for modern site environments and offers the sector a decisive opportunity to:
· Improve safety, welfare and inclusion
· Strengthen workforce retention and diversity
· Reduce operational, reputational and legal risk
· Align delivery with national skills and social value priorities
· Meet growing expectations from clients, government and society
This Standard establishes a clear benchmark for a modern construction industry where women can work safely, progress confidently and contribute fully to the UK’s built environment.
Learn more about the standard here.