Occupational risks and injuries in non-agricultural immigrant Latino workers

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.