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**Autodesk and AGC Launch Grant Program to Support Women in Construction with Better-Fitting Safety Gear**
*SAN RAFAEL, Calif., March 2, 2020* — Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) and the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) have launched a new initiative to support women in the construction industry by providing more than 300 custom-designed safety harnesses for fall protection. The program, which awards grants to 21 construction firms, aims to improve safety and encourage more women to pursue careers in construction.
The grant initiative addresses a critical issue: many safety equipment items on the market are not designed with women in mind, leading to improper fit and increased risk of injury. With women making up less than 9% of the construction workforce, the need for better-fitting gear is more urgent than ever.
“Allison Scott, director of construction thought leadership at Autodesk Construction Solutions, emphasized the importance of this step. “We’re proud to partner with AGC to bring attention to the need for PPE that works for all workers, especially women. This is just the beginning of a broader conversation about inclusivity and safety in construction.â€
According to federal data, women make up less than 3% of construction craft professionals. Meanwhile, falls remain one of the “fatal four†causes of worker fatalities in the industry, as reported by OSHA. By ensuring that women have access to properly fitting harnesses, the program seeks to reduce risks and create a safer environment for female workers.
Stephen E. Sandherr, CEO of AGC of America, highlighted the dual benefits of the initiative. “These grants will help improve safety and address labor shortages at a time when 80% of construction firms struggle to find qualified workers,†he said. “By investing in better equipment, we’re helping women succeed and supporting the growth of the industry.â€
Several participating companies shared their excitement about the program. Russ Nicolai, safety manager at Snyder Roofing, said, “This grant comes at a critical time. We're committed to improving ergonomics and safety for all our workers, and this equipment will make a real difference for women in our industry.â€
Anne Brown, director of business development and marketing at Christman Constructors, added, “It’s time to focus on supporting women and opening doors to construction. This initiative is a meaningful step toward greater diversity and inclusion.â€
The program also includes training for all participating firms to ensure proper use of the safety harnesses. AGC is working with safety equipment manufacturers MSA and 3M to provide the gear, which is specifically designed to fit women’s body types.
The 21 firms receiving the grants employ over 22,000 people across the U.S. They include major names like Hughes General Contractors, Christman Constructors, McCarthy Building Companies, and Rosendin Electric.
Grantees will be recognized at the AGC Annual Convention and CONEXPO-CON/AGG conference in Las Vegas during the week of March 9.
This initiative marks a significant step forward in making construction a more inclusive and safer industry for all workers.