What's gender got to do with it? Examining masculinities, health and safety and return to work in male dominated skilled trades.
BACKGROUND
Electrical injuries are a common cause of work-related injury in male dominated skilled trades.


OBJECTIVE
In this study we explored how issues of gender, masculinities and institutional workplace practices shape expectations of men and their choices when returning to work following a workplace electrical injury.


METHODS
Twelve workers, who suffered an electrical injury, and twelve employer representatives, completed semi-structured interviews. Using thematic analysis we identified key themes related to how masculinities influenced men's health and safety during the return to work process.


RESULTS
Strong identification with worker roles can influence injured workers decisions to return to work 'too early'. A desire to be viewed as a strong, responsible, resilient worker may intersect with concerns about job loss, to influence participants' decisions to not report safety issues and workplace accidents, to not disclose post-injury work challenges, and to not request workplace supports. Institutionalized workplace beliefs regarding risk, de-legitimization of the severity of injuries, and the valorization of the "tough" worker can further re-enforce dominant masculine norms and influence return to work processes and health and safety practices.


CONCLUSIONS
Workplaces are key sites where gender identities are constructed, affirmed and institutionalized. Further research is warranted to examine how established masculine norms and gendered workplace expectations can influence workplace health and safety in male dominated high risk occupations. Future research should also evaluate strategies that encourage men to discuss post-injury work challenges and request supports when work performance or health and safety issues arise during the return to work process.
Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Institute of Work & Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Mary
M
Stergiou-Kita
Women's College Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Elizabeth
E
Mansfield
Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Angela
A
Colantonio
Electrical Safety Authority, ON, Canada.
Joel
J
Moody
Ontario Network of Injured Workers Groups (ONIWG), ON, Canada.
Steve
S
Mantis
D060389:Construction Industry; D004560:Electricity / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D057228:Masculinity; D016272:Occupational Health; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015279:Organizational Culture; D011210:Power Plants; D024382:Professional Role / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D062707:Return to Work / Q000523:psychology*; D012449:Safety; D012737:Sex Factors; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology
Men’s health; masculinity; occupational health and safety