By Melanie Fry
It all started with a green flyer. Seventeen years ago, Ashley Wong’s passion for building things instantly turned into a career when she spotted a job posting on a brightly-colored piece of paper.
Then just 20 years old, Ashley took the flyer and applied for her first construction job, with no hesitation — despite the overwhelming majority of construction workers being men.
“Oh, I knew I was going to do something related to building,” she said. “I always liked making things and using my hands.”
She got the job — and she’s never left the industry.
Today, the San Bruno, Calif. resident works as an inside wireman for McMillan Electric. And we’re thrilled to honor Ashley as this month’s eMOD Safety Hero winner. Ashley was nominated because of “her excellent safety record and her attention to detail,” said Michael McAlister, VP of construction for McMillan.
I recently had the chance to talk with Ashely about how her career started, her path, and her views on construction safety. And to celebrate Women in Construction Week and Women’s History Month, we also discussed her perspective on working in construction as a woman.
Why did you choose construction knowing that it was such a male-oriented industry — especially 17 years ago?
Well, I always liked working with my hands and building things. I actually built a lot of things around the house. I built sheds for people and stuff like that. And then I saw this flyer (for construction work). And I brought in an application and the rest is history.
Wow. Where was the flyer?
I can’t remember exactly where it was. It was a green flyer. And I thought, “You know what? Let me just try it. Let me give it a shot.” And I got the job, and I loved it.
Did you consult with anyone or was it just a gut feeling to go do it?
Oh, I knew I was going to do something related to building. I always liked making things and using my hands. I used to love woodworking. Growing up, I loved anything with wood — I made tables and all kinds of things. And my family was really supportive.
Do you feel like gender stereotypes have affected your career?
You know, there are a lot of guys that don’t think women should be in the trade. But I’ve never been one to let it bother me and I’m not going to take it from anyone. So, you know, I stand my ground and do my thing.
Have you ever had any confrontations or had to defend yourself?
Oh, I’ve heard people talking. Like one time, I turned a corner and they thought I couldn’t hear, and they were talking about me. So, I came back and said, “Do you have a problem?” And then they lied to my face. That was insulting.
There are still some stereotypes out there, and people who don’t believe women should be on the job site. But, you know, little by little, there are more of us. And it’s awesome.
Do you talk with other women in the industry — as a mentor or just to support each other?
Before COVID, we had a group of six women who would get together every once in a while and go out to dinner and things like that.
Oh, that’s great.
Yeah. Women supporting women. It’s awesome. And you know, it’s a pretty diverse group. Some that are retired, some that are younger — it’s really nice.
So do you think that men and women view construction safety differently?
I don’t believe so. Safety, whether you’re a man or woman, should still be the same.
So what does being safe mean to you in your day-to-day work?
A lot of it is common sense. Be mindful of your situation and what’s going on around you at all times. Make sure you have your PPE on and that you’re following best practices.
Are there any instances where you avoided an unsafe situation?
Oh, yeah. One time I looked over (in an area I was supposed to work). And there were these guys not being safe. And I refused to go over there. I’m not going to put my life in jeopardy — I thought what they were doing could crash down on me.
I have no problem speaking up and saying anything. Especially if it’s unsafe.
For people just getting started in construction, how do you explain the importance of safety?
Well, this is our livelihood. We have to be safe if we want to keep working. If you get hurt, you might not be able to come back to work. Who knows what kind of injury you may get if you’re unsafe.
What are some of the biggest hazards in your daily work?
Well, right now we’re working on a big park. So, it’s a matter of always being mindful of what’s happening around you. There are a lot of tractors, excavators, boom lifts — all kinds of really big equipment coming in and out of here at all times.
I heard that you’ve been using the eMOD Safety App. Has it helped you?
It helps with the pre-task plans. It helps people know exactly what’s going on. I think common sense is the important thing with safety. But sometimes we don’t know about certain things, and (with eMOD) someone’s going to write it up and put it out there. People will see it — and then when it happens, they’ll remember oh yeah, I saw that in the app.
What do you think is the biggest industry challenge when it comes to safety?
The biggest challenge is everybody taking safety seriously and not taking things for granted. We can’t think, “Oh, that’s not going to happen to me.” We all need to follow the rules. We have to be on top of it so we’re all safe — and not just for ourselves, but for each other.
Do you think safety in construction has improved in recent years?
It definitely has. The standards have become better. Like when I started, we didn’t often wear gloves. Now if I don’t put gloves on, I feel like something’s wrong.
So do you think our approach to safety could be improved even more?
You know, things could always be improved. It’s kind of hard to say what — but we just don’t want to forget about being safe and get too comfortable. It’s up to all of us individuals to come together as a team and be safe together.
Everyone needs to do their part.
Yes. If you have one person being unsafe that’s not good. What if you’re being unsafe and then something falls on someone else — they didn’t do anything wrong, you know?
Do you ever find it difficult to balance safety with the pressure to keep a job on schedule?
Oh, no. Safety comes first. We have to be safe first to keep that job moving. If you want the job to stay on budget and make money, then you have to be safe. What happens if you aren’t safe and someone gets hurt? That could cost a company a lot of time and money.
What does it mean for you to be honored as a safety hero?
Oh, it’s awesome. You know, I wasn’t expecting it. It’s a nice thing — especially with COVID and everything else. It’s a breath of fresh air, I guess you could say.
Well, last but not least, what is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is being on the job site and building things. And then you set it after it’s started and then you can see it as it progresses — and then you see the end product. It’s pretty awesome to be able to point at something and say, “I built that building. And I did that one over there, too.”
Congratulations, Ashley! And thanks for spending a few minutes with us.
What is the eMOD Safety Hero Award?
Once a month, eMOD highlights someone working in the commercial construction industry who practices their craft with a safety-first approach. We recognize heroes who put safety ahead of productivity, who take action today to make our work safer tomorrow, who do the right thing rather than the most convenient. They promote accountability among team members, champion the latest safety practices, and encourage transparency about hazardous situations as they arise.
In addition to being featured on our blog, each winner receives a great prize package! To celebrate Women in Construction Week and honor Ashley, Xena Workwear provided a gift card as part of this month’s prize package.
Nominate an eMOD Safety Hero Today
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Melanie Fry is an onboarding specialist for eMOD.