Journal of Agromedicine
Volume 17, Issue 1, 2012, Pages 63-69

Occupational Eye Injuries Experienced by Migrant Farmworkers (Article)

Quandt S.A. , Schulz M.R. , Talton J.W. , Verma A. , Arcury T.A.
  • a Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, United States
  • b Department of Public Health Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, United States
  • c Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
  • d Department of Public Health Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, United States
  • e Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States

Abstract

Migrant farmworkers in North Carolina (n = 300) reported eye injuries, circumstances of injuries, and outcomes during lifetime U.S. agriculture work. Seventeen injuries were reported by 15 farmworkers; five resulted in lost work time. Most reported injuries were penetrating or open wounds, often caused by branches or other foreign objects. Injuries were seldom reported to employers; and treatment at clinics, when received, was often delayed. The incidence rate of lost work-time injuries of 23.8/10,000 worker years (95% confidence interval 7.5, 55.9), exceeds the 2009 national incidence rate (6.9/10,000). Migrant farmworkers constitute a vulnerable population; better occupational safety protections should be considered. © 2012 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Author Keywords

Latino Agriculture health disparities

Index Keywords

human middle aged North Carolina Agriculture United States Humans occupational accident Occupational Injuries Adolescent male female Eye Injuries eye injury Article manpower adult migration occupational health Transients and Migrants
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84855424395&doi=10.1080%2f1059924X.2012.629918&partnerID=40&md5=249f94222c4593f31454740907e2a559
DOI: 10.1080/1059924X.2012.629918
ISSN: 1059924X
Cited by: 14
Original Language: English