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Latino worker perceptions of construction risks
Author(s) -
Menzel Nancy Nivison,
Gutierrez Antonio P.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20735
Subject(s) - medicine , occupational safety and health , ethnic group , compensation (psychology) , workers' compensation , focus group , occupational injury , health literacy , perception , work (physics) , human factors and ergonomics , migrant workers , environmental health , health care , family medicine , gerontology , nursing , poison control , social psychology , psychology , marketing , economic growth , pathology , mechanical engineering , neuroscience , sociology , anthropology , economics , engineering , business
Background Construction is a hazardous occupation, with Latino (Hispanic) workers at a greater risk for death than other ethnicities/races. Latinos accounted for over half of construction injuries involving days away from work in Nevada in 2006. Methods This study recruited 30 Latino construction workers from three Southern Nevada trade unions to participate in four focus groups conducted in Spanish to determine their perceived risks for injury. Audiotapes were transcribed into English transcripts, which were analyzed for themes. Results Themes included language/communication difficulties, traditional Latino values, construction trade skill level differences, and health literacy. Participants were unfamiliar with the workers' compensation system. Conclusions Small contractors in particular should provide more effective safety training in Spanish and appropriate safety equipment. Unions should offer English language training using simulation and more information about workers' compensation rights. Occupational health providers should consider Latino beliefs and communication needs when assessing health status or providing care. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:179–187 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.