Masculine Culture and Materials Handling Risks

Tags: ERGONOMIC ASSESSMENTS, ergonomics, fatigue, industrial ergonomics, manual handling, materials handling, musculoskeletal disorders, safety culture

Ergonomics Health and Safety Information & Insights

It’s a sad truth that employees often lack access to the essential safety equipment required to reduce ergonomic risk factors and avoid injury when handling materials. But, perhaps an even more unfortunate truth is that help is available to many and goes unused.

There are a few reasons why a worker may be unwilling to use assistive tools: Time constraints and the desire to rush certain tasks, a lack of understanding of the job or safety equipment, or even just to challenge themselves. But by far the most problematic (and the hardest to resolve) is the fear of appearing weak in front of colleagues.

In this article, we explore the impact of negative masculine culture – sometimes referred to as toxic masculinity – in the workplace on materials handling risks, and discuss what can be done to create safer, more understanding workplace cultures.

What Is Toxic Masculinity?

The term ‘toxic masculinity’ is often conflated as meaning masculinity is, in of itself, bad. Understandably, this creates a lot of pushback or a refusal to acknowledge the idea to begin with.

However, toxic masculinity only refers to cultural norms and societal expectations that define and reinforce traditional male behavior in ways that are harmful to both men and society as a whole.

It encompasses a range of behaviors and attitudes that promote the dominance of men over women and other men, suppressing emotional expression, and encouraging aggression and physical stamina as measures of masculinity.

The need to perpetually enforce these notions highlights that, to many, ‘being a man’ – rather than inherent – is viewed as something that must be proven time and time again, driving increasingly problematic and erratic behaviour.

Is Masculine Culture a Problem in the Workplace?

A recent report published by the Harvard Business Review revealed that 4 key traits of toxic masculinity were highly prevalent in businesses across the US:

Never showing weakness: Demonstrating unflinching confidence, never admitting and blaming others for mistakes, and repressing softer emotions.
Strength & stamina: Proving physical strength and stamina wherever possible.
Work takes priority: Putting family, health, or any other priorities ahead of work is seen as weakness and a lack of commitment.
Dog-eat-dog: Competitiveness reaches such a degree that employees focus on “defeating” coworkers in a trustless work environment.

While the report showed these qualities were prominent in both white and blue collar industries, as blue collar positions are far more physical, there are far more opportunities to perform hypermasculine acts, potentially pushing organisational cultures into increasingly dangerous territory.

In the industrial work environment, toxic masculinity can manifest in several ways. Employees might feel pressured to take on physically demanding tasks without seeking help, avoid using safety equipment to appear tough, or dismiss injuries as insignificant to avoid appearing weak. This culture creates an environment where bravado is rewarded over caution, and vulnerability is seen as a flaw rather than a human trait.

For example, a male construction worker might forgo wearing a back brace while lifting heavy materials because he doesn’t want to be perceived as less capable than his peers. Or, in a warehouse setting, a male employee might work through severe back pain rather than taking time off to heal, fearing that admitting to an injury would make him seem less reliable or strong.

This type of culture not only affects individuals but also sets a standard for what is acceptable behavior in the workplace. New employees quickly learn that in order to fit in, they must adopt the same attitudes – and the cycle continues.

Hypermasculine Culture & Manual Materials Handling Risks

In workplaces where a hypermasculine culture prevails, the pressure to conform to traditional masculine ideals can significantly impact how employees handle materials. This culture often glorifies physical strength and endurance while stigmatizing the use of safety measures and assistance. Consequently, employees may engage in risky behaviors that increase their chances of suffering musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

One common manifestation of this culture is the reluctance to ask for help. In many hypermasculine environments, requesting assistance can be seen as a sign of weakness.

As a result, employees might opt to lift heavy objects on their own, even when it exceeds safe weight limits. This not only puts them at risk of immediate injury but also contributes to long-term health issues such as chronic back pain or joint problems.

Ignoring safety protocols is another prevalent issue. Hypermasculine culture often equates taking shortcuts or bypassing safety equipment with being tough or efficient. Workers might skip wearing protective gear like back braces or gloves because they don’t want to appear overly cautious or unmanly.

Is There Any Evidence That Masculinity Impacts Injury Rates at Work?

Research on masculinity and workplace injury is still developing, and several challenges limit definitive quantification of the impact of negative masculine culture on work injuries.

First, many male-dominated industries — such as construction, mining, manufacturing, and transport — are inherently more physically demanding and hazardous than other sectors, which means injuries are more common overall.

Second, there is no simple or consistent way to measure the proportion of those injuries directly attributed to masculine cultural norms rather than other factors, such as individual differences and operational aspects.

However, a wealth of evidence demonstrates that behaviors linked to traditional masculinity are highly prevalent in these professional environments — and such patterns amplify the baseline risks already present in these settings.

Courtenay (2000) emphasizes that men frequently perceive compliance with safety protocols — such as using protective equipment or asking for help — as incompatible with ideals of independence and invulnerability.

And, combined, studies from Asjev (2013), Hammond (2006), Roderick (2006) and Wicks (2002) show that, in male-dominated occupational contexts, men are often expected to endure pain and injury without complaint. Inevitably, this increases the likelihood of severe injury, time off work, and — in severe cases — potentially even disability.

The Ergonomic & Financial Impact of Toxic Masculinity in the Workplace

Toxic masculinity, in its selfishness, encourages a look-out-for-number-one attitude. This comes, not just to the detriment of colleagues but to the detriment of the business itself, as any effective organisation relies on teamwork and honest communication to thrive.

In workplace cultures dominated by masculine notions, there is an expectation that men will suffer in silence, with excessive risk-taking becoming normalized.

When employees feel they are unable to use assistive resources to reduce the physical strain of materials handling on their bodies, and feel they must perform feats of strength, the risk of developing a musculoskeletal disorder increases exponentially.

This means that pervasive toxic masculinity can contribute towards higher injury rates and worker’s compensation claims, directly impacting the bottom line of the business.

Furthermore, as musculoskeletal injuries become more commonplace in an organisation, more days off work are required, and productivity suffers, potentially leading to missed deadlines or rushed outcomes, which, in turn, can lead to reputational damage.

Combined, these issues can be incredibly costly, but when the problem is a deeply misled workplace culture, what can business owners do to help the situation?

Addressing Masculinity in the Workplace — For Better Ergonomics

Changing a culture where toxic masculinity is ingrained doesn’t happen overnight. It requires deliberate, ongoing action at every level of an organization.

Here are several practical steps you can take to create an environment where employees feel safe, supported, and empowered to prioritise their health without fear of judgment:

Set the Tone from Leadership

Culture change starts at the top. Leaders must openly model the behaviors they expect from others — using assistive equipment themselves, speaking candidly about injuries, and reinforcing that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.
Consider training supervisors to recognize and challenge toxic masculine norms and language when they appear.

Normalize the Use of Ergonomic Tools and Assistance

Make ergonomic aids and safety equipment easily accessible and visible. Position them as standard best practice rather than optional.
Use posters, safety talks, and digital communications to showcase positive examples — e.g., experienced team members using mechanical lifting aids or requesting assistance without stigma.

Encourage Open Dialogue and Reporting

Create channels where employees can safely share concerns about injuries, fatigue, or cultural pressures — ideally anonymously if desired.
Regularly check in with teams to gauge whether employees feel confident speaking up.

Reinforce Training and Education

Provide ergonomics training that not only covers how to use equipment but also why it matters to health and career longevity.
Address cultural attitudes directly in training materials, highlighting that reliance on strength alone is both outdated and dangerous.

Celebrate Safer Choices

Recognize and reward individuals and teams that demonstrate commitment to safe working practices and support each other.
Share stories of employees who have prevented injuries by speaking up or using assistance — this helps redefine what “strength” looks like.

Take a Comprehensive, Ongoing Approach

One-off initiatives rarely shift entrenched beliefs. Implement a robust ergonomics program that combines policy, training, and cultural transformation.
Use data to track injury trends and cultural shifts, then adapt your strategies accordingly.

This is where investing in an ergonomics management solution can be transformative.

Improve Safety Culture with Cardinus

Healthy Working and Healthy Working Pro from Cardinus are comprehensive ergonomics software that provide a structured, continuous approach to improving ergonomics — offering tools for assessment, training, reporting, and tracking progress over time.

Whether you manage an office-based team or an industrial workforce, these platforms help embed a culture that makes individuals feel seen, heard, and confident to protect their health without compromising their identity or value in the workforce.

Get a free trial of Healthy Working with up to 5% of your team.

Inquire about Healthy Working Pro, our ergonomics software built specifically for industrial environments and workers.

For more information on how we can support your team and your business as a whole, contact Cardinus today.