American Journal of Industrial Medicine
Volume 42, Issue 2, 2002, Pages 117-123

Occupational risks and injuries in non-agricultural immigrant Latino workers (Article)

Pransky G.* , Moshenberg D. , Benjamin K. , Portillo S. , Thackrey J.L. , Hill-Fotouhi C.
  • a Liberty Mutual Center for Disability Research, 71 Frankland Road, Hopkinton, MA, United States, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Hopkinton, MA, United States, Liberty Mutual Center for Disability Research, 71 Frankland Road, Hopkinton, MA 01701, United States
  • b Department of English and Women's Studies Program, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States, Tenants' and Workers' Support Committee, Alexandria, VA, United States
  • c Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Hopkinton, MA, United States
  • d Tenants' and Workers' Support Committee, Alexandria, VA, United States
  • e 3547 Clearwater Cir., Indianapolis, IN, United States
  • f Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Hopkinton, MA, United States

Abstract

Background: To investigate occupational health in urban immigrant Latino workers, using a community-based method. Methods: A survey was administered through consecutively selected door-to-door interviews. Results: Response rate was 80% (n = 427). Average time in the US was 7.6 years, and average job tenure was 2.8 years. Twenty-five reported exposures to over 10 different hazards, and 18% thought these hazards had harmed their health. Only 31% received any job safety training; 55% had no workers' compensation coverage. Of the 47 (11%) with a work injury in the past 3 years, 27% reported difficulty obtaining treatment, 91% lost time from work (median = 13 days) and 29% had to change jobs because of the injury. The annual occupational injury rate was 12.2/100 full-time workers, compared to an expected rate of 7.1. Conclusions: Urban immigrant workers have increased risk of occupational injuries, with adverse outcomes. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Author Keywords

risk factors minority groups Occupational injuries Hispanic Americans Immigration

Index Keywords

urban population immigrant South and Central America risk minority group Wounds and Injuries health insurance human risk assessment middle aged ethnic group Occupational Diseases Time Factors Aged Hispanic Americans Humans occupational accident Adolescent male female occupational exposure risk factor Risk Factors occupational safety Article major clinical study adult Interviews Emigration and Immigration occupational health Delivery of Health Care occupational hazard Accidents, Occupational
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0036327960&doi=10.1002%2fajim.10092&partnerID=40&md5=fea8c901544323f730504f948c82d6ab
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.10092
ISSN: 02713586
Cited by: 111
Original Language: English