Construction for Women (CFW) has launched the Construction for Women: National Site Standard for Female Operatives, a new governance-led framework aimed at improving welfare, safety and operational consistency for women working on UK construction sites.

The framework sets out a national benchmark intended for adoption by clients, contractors, supply chains, frameworks, training providers and public-sector bodies.

The Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) has become the first national organisation to formally adopt the Standard.

National benchmark for welfare, PPE and site practice
The National Site Standard introduces a consistent and auditable approach across key areas of site delivery, including welfare facilities, PPE fit and suitability, behavioural expectations, site inductions, supervision, and leadership accountability.

It also requires the integration of these considerations into risk assessments and method statements, with structured data reporting and defined escalation routes to support compliance and continuous improvement.

Addressing workforce shortages and retention challenges
Women currently account for around 15% of the UK construction workforce, equating to approximately 340,000 people, with growth concentrated largely in professional and technical roles.

However, women represent only around 1% of the manual on-site workforce, highlighting ongoing structural barriers at a time of industry-wide skills shortages.

ONS Labour Force Survey data released in December 2025 shows female employment in construction continued to rise into 2025, reaching its highest level in recent years. Industry surveys also point to progress in parts of the supply chain, with some tiers reporting female representation as high as 29.1%.

CFW argues that improving welfare provision, PPE suitability and site culture is critical to retaining women entering the sector, while also delivering wider safety and productivity benefits for all operatives.

Embedding inclusion into site operations
The Standard mandates PPE suitability requirements, responding to evidence that ill-fitting PPE can increase safety risks for women.

It also establishes clear behavioural standards, including zero tolerance of harassment or discriminatory conduct, alongside defined supervisor responsibilities and induction content.

Leadership accountability mechanisms, including KPIs linked to workforce experience and safety outcomes, form part of the framework to ensure implementation at project level.

Renée Preston, programme director and national standard lead at Construction for Women, said:
“This Standard gives the industry something it has never had before: a clear, evidence-based operational framework that makes construction sites genuinely workable for everyone.
“Too many women leave the sector not because of capability, but because of avoidable friction points – poor PPE fit, inconsistent welfare, unclear reporting routes or cultural barriers. By setting a consistent benchmark for every site, the industry can unlock talent it urgently needs.”

CCS adoption supports national rollout
Desiree Blamey, managing director of the Considerate Constructors Scheme, said:
“CCS is proud to champion this Standard as the first national adopter. We recognise the value it provides in giving contractors and clients a practical, auditable framework for modern site practice.
“As the industry faces skills shortages and rising demand, improving conditions for women is not just the right thing to do, it is essential to maintaining productivity, attracting new entrants and strengthening professional standards across the sector.”

CCS will support the nationwide rollout of the National Site Standard across projects, frameworks and monitoring programmes, with the aim of strengthening consistency and accountability across the construction industry.