Integration of women into traditionally masculine jobs.

Jobs are often allocated according to sex, although this distribution is not always justified by biological differences between men and women. Ergonomic analysis of sex-typed jobs in a clothing factory and in a plastics factory revealed that the total weight lifted in women's jobs exceeded that in a typical male laborer's job. The characteristics of work organization and work rhythm also differed according to the sex to whom jobs were assigned: Muscular exertion was intense but sporadic with the men's jobs, moderate but continuous with the women's. Scientific study has not related characteristics of sex-typed jobs to differences between the sexes in average size and shape. However, analysis of two cases showed that average-sized women entering traditional men's jobs may be disadvantaged, if no thought is given to adjusting tools, equipment and work stations. Trying to do a job designed for larger, heavier people may cause health and safety problems. Any improvement in the conditions of these jobs to take into account a wider range of physical characteristics will benefit men as well as women.