Possibilities and challenges in occupational injury surveillance of day laborers

Lowry, Sarah; Blecker, Hillary; Camp, Janice; Castro, Butch de; Hecker, Steven; Arbabi, Saman; Traven, Neal D.; Seixas, Noah S.

doi:10.1002/ajim.20741

Cited by 35 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…The proportion of LDL reporting an occupational injury or illness in the preceding year (34%) was similar to injuries reported among Latino poultry workers (28%), day laborers in Chicago (31%), and other LDL studies that have used similar self-report injury assessment methods. 23,28,34,35 Furthermore, 19% of our sample reported missing days of work due to injury/illness, resulting in an estimated injury rate of 29 injuries per 100 FTE (using our estimated number of hours worked per year) or 31 injuries per 100 FTE (using Valenzuela's hours worked per year estimate). 6 Our estimated injury rate is consistent with prior LDL research and provides further evidence of the magnitude of occupational injuries faced by LDLs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of demographics and working conditions on self-reported injuries among Latino day laborers

Fernandez‐Esquer

Fernández-Espada

Atkinson

et al. 2014

International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health

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Background: The majority of day laborers in the USA are Latinos. They are engaged in high-risk occupations and suffer high occupational injury rates. Objectives: To describe on-the-job injuries reported by Latino day laborers, explore the extent that demographic and occupational factors predict injuries, and whether summative measures for total job types, job conditions, and personal protective equipment (PPE) predict injuries. Methods: A community survey was conducted with 327 participants at 15 corners in Houston, Texas. Hierarchical and multiple logistic regressions explored predictors of occupational injury odds in the last year. Results: Thirty-four percent of respondents reported an occupational injury in the previous year. Education, exposure to loud noises, cold temperatures, vibrating machinery, use of hard hats, total number of job conditions, and total PPE significantly predicted injury odds. Conclusion: Risk for injury among day laborers is not only the product of a specific hazard, but also the result of their exposure to multiple occupational hazards.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of demographics and working conditions on self-reported injuries among Latino day laborers

Fernandez‐Esquer

Fernández-Espada

Atkinson

et al. 2014

International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health

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“…Many of those with the most hazardous jobs – migrant workers, immigrants, day workers, and/or those with lower socioeconomic status – are also most likely to have sub-standard housing that lacks air conditioning (Culp et al 2011; Vallejos et al 2011; Lowry et al 2010). Thus, these individuals are at even greater risk of heat-related illnesses because they cannot cool their bodies adequately during the nighttime hours, which is critical for preventing HRI (Kalkstein and Davis 1989).…”

Section: Research Needsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is estimated that there are more than one million migrant workers in the U.S. (Kandel 2008) who travel to find seasonal work in agriculture and live transiently near their workplaces. Many workers have no education, low income, no health insurance, chronic health problems, and live in sub-standard housing, which are individually significant risk factors for heat-related morbidity and mortality (Culp et al 2011; Vallejos et al 2011; Lowry et al 2010). …”

Section: Research Needsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The epidemiology of occupational heat exposure in the United States: a review of the literature and assessment of research needs in a changing climate

2013

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In recent years, the United States has experienced record-breaking summer heat. Climate change models forecast increasing U.S. temperatures and more frequent heat waves in coming years. This scoping review summarizes research findings that characterize U.S. occupational heat-related morbidity and mortality and identifies gaps in the existing research literature. Exposure to environmental heat is a significant, but overlooked, workplace hazard that has not been well-characterized or studied. The working population is diverse; job function, age, fitness level, and risk factors to heat-related illnesses vary. This review found that few studies examine or characterize the incidence of occupational heat-related illnesses and outcomes. More research on the effects of occupational heat exposure is needed to identify and implement evidence-based policies and interventions. Since heat-related health hazards at work can be anticipated before they manifest, preventive measures can be implemented before illness occurs. With no federal regulatory standards to protect workers from environmental heat exposure, and with climate change as a driver for adaptation and prevention of heat disorders, crafting policy to characterize and prevent occupational heat stress for all workers is increasingly sensible, practical, and imperative.

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“…Many low-wage workers are employed by small establishments, and small companies are less likely to report occupational injuries to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) [Souza et al, 2010; Dong et al, 2011]. Low-wage workers may be more susceptible to pressure from employers not to report occupational injuries or file workers' compensation claims [Azaroff et al, 2002; Lowry et al, 2010]. Those low-wage workers hired as independent contractors are frequently not covered by their employers' workers compensation programs, and so illness and injuries in these workers would not be detected in reviews of compensation claims [NAIC, 2008].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Promoting integrated approaches to reducing health inequities among low‐income workers: Applying a social ecological framework

Baron

Beard

Davis

et al. 2013

American J Industrial Med

148

158

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Nearly one of every three workers in the United States is low-income. Low-income populations have a lower life expectancy and greater rates of chronic diseases compared to those with higher incomes. Low- income workers face hazards in their workplaces as well as in their communities. Developing integrated public health programs that address these combined health hazards, especially the interaction of occupational and non-occupational risk factors, can promote greater health equity. We apply a social-ecological perspective in considering ways to improve the health of the low-income working population through integrated health protection and health promotion programs initiated in four different settings: the worksite, state and local health departments, community health centers, and community-based organizations. An example of successful approaches to developing integrated programs in each of these settings is described. Recommendations for improved research, training, and coordination among health departments, health practitioners, worksites and community organizations are proposed.

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Possibilities and challenges in occupational injury surveillance of day laborers

Cited by 35 publications

References 14 publications

The influence of demographics and working conditions on self-reported injuries among Latino day laborers

The influence of demographics and working conditions on self-reported injuries among Latino day laborers

The epidemiology of occupational heat exposure in the United States: a review of the literature and assessment of research needs in a changing climate

Promoting integrated approaches to reducing health inequities among low‐income workers: Applying a social ecological framework

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