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Architectural Institute of Korea (대한건축학회)
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The Way of Improving the Working Environment for Female Workers on Construction Site Based on Construction Welfare Facilities

  • Pak, Sungsine (Department of Architecture & Building Engineering, Kunsan National University) ;
  • Shin, Chang-Keun (Hanshin Engineering Construction) ;
  • Lee, Sang-Hak (Department of Architecture & Building Engineering, Kunsan National University)
  • Received : 2019.12.31
  • Accepted : 2020.06.09
  • Published : 2020.06.30
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Abstract

This paper reports problems of current working environment on construction site in South Korea from a female laborers' point of view and proposes solutions to improve the environment. To investigate and analyze the problems, a questionnaire survey and a focus group interview were conducted with 341 engineers and 557 laborers. Among them female engineers and female laborers were 51 and 136 respectively. Findings are the facilities related with welfare facilities such as lavatories, shower rooms, lounges and changing room, etc. for women were not sufficient and even not installed only for women because all of the planners for the facilities were men and The Standard of Estimate does not consider gender distinction. The data on the trade and the number of female laborers were not recorded and this study confirmed the number and the proportion of female laborers according to construction progress i.e. the proportion of female laborers were 0% ~ 11% (average 6%) at 26 construction sites having 2% ~ 92 % construction progress. In order to solve these problems, gender education for the welfare facility planner is required and the current Standard of Estimate should be revised considering female laborers after collecting the site data for the number of female laborers according progress and the increase in the construction cost should be reflected in the contract amount accordingly. Conclusively temporary work planning related with welfare facilities should be established and conducted in terms of gender equality at construction sites. In addition, improving working environment on construction sites for female laborers will enhance the company's image and also helping solve the labor shortage problem by women laborers engaging in construction industry easily.

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