Protecting Construction Worker Health and Safety in Ontario, Canada

Amick, Benjamin C.; Hogg‐Johnson, Sheilah; Latour-Villamil, Desiree; Saunders, Ron

doi:10.1097/jom.0000000000000562

Cited by 21 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…This is consistent with other studies on the influence of labor organizations on worker health, which have found positive associations between union participation and multiple measures of improved health and safety outcomes. 59,60,61,62,63 There are few academic studies on the health impacts of farmworker labor organizations in particular, 64,65 though this study's findings confirm reports of improved working conditions due to the efforts of farmworker organizations. 9,[34][35][36][37][38][39][40] Employer-and organizationlevel findings suggest a need to further characterize the experiences and interactions of tomato industry supervisors, employers, and workers' organization representatives; further study of these roles could help identify additional opportunities for employer-and organization-level occupational health promotion.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

“If We Don’t Produce, Bring Another:” Work Organization and Tomato Worker Health

Kelley

Ivey

Silver

et al. 2020

Journal of Agromedicine

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Objectives: Specific work processes and management structures that contribute to high rates of occupational illness and injury in agricultural industries are not well described in academic literature. This qualitative study of work organization in the U.S. fresh tomato industry investigates how work processes and management structures impact tomato workers' occupational health. Methods: After conducting literature review and key informant interviews, semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with 36 individuals with experience working in the U.S. fresh tomato industry. Interviews and focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach. Results: These data indicate that participants endured income insecurity and hazardous supervisory practices, including wage theft, retaliation, intimidation, and humiliation, that put them at risk of preventable illness and injury. Support from workers' organizations and health-conscious supervisory practices helped mitigate some of these occupational hazards. Conclusion: Participants' adverse work experiences may be considered sequelae of workers' lack of job control and positions of socioeconomic structural vulnerability. Other aspects of tomato work organization, including health-conscious supervisory practices and the involvement of workers' organizations, indicate that modifying work organization to better safeguard health is possible. Such modifications present compelling opportunities for employers, employees, organizations, community and government leaders, and health care professionals to help create healthier occupational environments for tomato workers.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

“If We Don’t Produce, Bring Another:” Work Organization and Tomato Worker Health

Kelley

Ivey

Silver

et al. 2020

Journal of Agromedicine

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“…The division of labor of construction encompasses a diverse range of skilled and manual labor. Among the most common construction trades are those of carpenter, electrician, heavy equipment operator, ironworker, laborer, mason, plasterer, plumber, pipefitter, sheet metal worker, steel fixer, welder, and so on [34]. As far as we know, there is no clear standard for dividing construction workers into indoor and outdoor construction workers.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association Between Occupational Physicochemical Exposures and Headache/Eyestrain Symptoms Among Korean Indoor/Outdoor Construction Workers

Jung

Lee

et al. 2019

Safety and Health at Work

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BackgroundHeadache/eyestrain symptoms are common health problems that people experience in daily life. Various studies have examined risk factors contributing to headache/eyestrains, and physicochemical exposure was found to be a leading risk factor in causing such symptoms. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of headache/eyestrain symptoms with physicochemical exposure among Korean construction workers depended on worksite.MethodsThis study used data from the 4th Korean Workers Conditions Survey and selected 1,945 Korean construction workers as participants. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationship.ResultsExposure to vibrations among all construction workers affected the moderate exposure group [odds ratio (OR) 1.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–2.32], the high exposure group (OR 1.77 95%CI 1.17–2.67), and the indoor high exposure group (OR 1.61, 95%CI 1.02-2.55) and among outdoor construction workers, the moderate group (OR 6.61, 95%CI 15.4–28.48) and the high group (OR 6.61, 95%CI 1.56–27.98). When exposed to mist, dust, and fumes, the indoor high exposure group was significantly affected (OR 1.63, 95%CI 1.07–2.47). All construction workers exposed to organic solvents were affected, high exposure group (OR 1.69, 95%CI 1.15–2.49) and indoor high exposure group (OR 1.77, 95%CI 1.08–2.89). The high exposure group in all construction worker (OR 1.70, 95%CI 1.20–2.42) and the indoor high exposure group (OR 1.83, 95%CI 1.17–2.89) also were affected by secondhand smoking exposure.ConclusionMany physicochemical exposure factors affect headache/eyestrain symptoms among construction workers, especially indoor construction workers, suggesting a deficiency in occupational hygiene and health environments at indoor construction worksites.

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“…In light of this, the UCWCP still illustrated significantly reduced TTD risk, which may be a testament to the medical network and communication between parties. Also, union workers generally exhibit higher levels of injury reporting than nonunion workers, up to 5.7 times more likely to report both low and high severity musculoskeletal disorders in some reports, which has been attributed to work and organizational factors . Differential underreporting is an important consideration and injury risk for union workers may appear to be elevated in comparison with nonunion workers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparing disability and return to work outcomes between alternative and traditional workers' compensation programs

Schofield

Ryan

Dauner

2019

American J Industrial Med

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Background The Union Construction Workers' Compensation Program (UCWCP) was developed in 1996 as an alternative workers' compensation arrangement. The program includes use of a preapproved medical and rehabilitation network and alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and prioritizes a quick and safe return‐to‐work. The aim of this study is to determine if differences in recovery‐related outcomes exist between UCWCP and the statutory workers' compensation system (SWCS). Methods Claims data from 2003 to 2016 were classified as processed through UCWCP or SWCS. Outcomes included: temporary total disability (TTD), vocational rehabilitation (VR), claim duration and costs, and permanent partial disability (PPD). The relative risk of incurring TTD, VR, and PPD in UCWCP vs SWCS was calculated using log‐binomial regression. Linear regression examined the relationship between programs and continuous outcomes including costs and duration. Estimates were adjusted for age, sex, wage, and severity. Results The UCWCP processed 15.8% of claims; higher percentages of UCWCP claimants were older and earned higher wages. Results point to positive findings of decreased TTD incidence and cost, lower risk of TTD extending over time, higher likelihood of VR participation, and less attorney involvement and stipulation agreements associated with UCWCP membership. Differences were more apparent in workers who suffered permanent physical impairment. Conclusion Findings suggest that the defining programmatic elements of the UCWCP, including its medical provider and rehabilitation network and access to ADR, have been successful in their aims. Claims with increased severity exhibited more pronounced differences vs SWCS, potentially due, in part, to greater use of programmatic elements.

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Protecting Construction Worker Health and Safety in Ontario, Canada

Abstract: Unionized construction firms compared with nonunion firms have higher no-lost-time and lower lost-time claims rates. Unionized firms may encourage occupational injury reporting and reduce risks through training and hazard identification and control strategies.

Cited by 21 publications

References 26 publications

“If We Don’t Produce, Bring Another:” Work Organization and Tomato Worker Health

“If We Don’t Produce, Bring Another:” Work Organization and Tomato Worker Health

Association Between Occupational Physicochemical Exposures and Headache/Eyestrain Symptoms Among Korean Indoor/Outdoor Construction Workers

Comparing disability and return to work outcomes between alternative and traditional workers' compensation programs

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