American Journal of Industrial Medicine
Volume 59, Issue 6, 2016, Pages 476-485

Latino immigrant day laborer perceptions of occupational safety and health information preferences (Article)

Díaz Fuentes C.M.* , Martinez Pantoja L. , Tarver M. , Geschwind S.A. , Lara M.
  • a Department of Economics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
  • b College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
  • c Common Ground Health Clinic, New Orleans, LA, United States
  • d RAND Health, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, United States
  • e RAND Health, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, United States

Abstract

Background: We address immigrant day laborers' experiences with occupational safety in the construction industry in New Orleans, and opinions about content and method of communication for educational interventions to reduce occupational risks. Methods: In 2011, we conducted seven focus groups with 48 Spanish-speaking day laborers (8 women, 40 men, 35 years on average). Focus group results are based on thematic analysis. Results: Most employers did not provide safety equipment, threatened to dismiss workers who asked for it, and did not provide health insurance. Attitudes toward accepting unsafe work conditions varied. Women faced lower pay and hiring difficulties than men. Day laborers preferred audio format over written, and content about consequences from and equipment for different jobs/exposures. Conclusions: Day laborers have common occupational experiences, but differences existed by gender, literacy and sense of control over safety. Day laborer information preferences and use of media needs further studying. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Author Keywords

Latino health gender discrimination Construction industry New Orleans Information preferences Health education occupational safety Day laborers

Index Keywords

information processing education New Orleans building industry human construction industry Hispanic Americans Safety Management Humans Louisiana migrant attitude Hispanic male Emigrants and Immigrants female safety adult sex factor Sex Factors occupational health Focus Groups
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84959180434&doi=10.1002%2fajim.22575&partnerID=40&md5=325572a840207d997ef9f3b2f7c2b09e
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22575
ISSN: 02713586
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English