Claudia M Díaz Fuentes1, Leonardo Martinez Pantoja2, Meshawn Tarver3, Sandy A Geschwind4, Marielena Lara4. 1. Department of Economics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 2. College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia. 3. Common Ground Health Clinic, New Orleans, Louisiana. 4. RAND Health, RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, California.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We address immigrant day laborers' experiences with occupational safety in the construction industry in New Orleans, and opinions about content and method of communication for educational interventions to reduce occupational risks. METHODS: In 2011, we conducted seven focus groups with 48 Spanish-speaking day laborers (8 women, 40 men, 35 years on average). Focus group results are based on thematic analysis. RESULTS: Most employers did not provide safety equipment, threatened to dismiss workers who asked for it, and did not provide health insurance. Attitudes toward accepting unsafe work conditions varied. Women faced lower pay and hiring difficulties than men. Day laborers preferred audio format over written, and content about consequences from and equipment for different jobs/exposures. CONCLUSIONS: Day laborers have common occupational experiences, but differences existed by gender, literacy and sense of control over safety. Day laborer information preferences and use of media needs further studying. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:476-485, 2016.
BACKGROUND: We address immigrant day laborers' experiences with occupational safety in the construction industry in New Orleans, and opinions about content and method of communication for educational interventions to reduce occupational risks. METHODS: In 2011, we conducted seven focus groups with 48 Spanish-speaking day laborers (8 women, 40 men, 35 years on average). Focus group results are based on thematic analysis. RESULTS: Most employers did not provide safety equipment, threatened to dismiss workers who asked for it, and did not provide health insurance. Attitudes toward accepting unsafe work conditions varied. Women faced lower pay and hiring difficulties than men. Day laborers preferred audio format over written, and content about consequences from and equipment for different jobs/exposures. CONCLUSIONS: Day laborers have common occupational experiences, but differences existed by gender, literacy and sense of control over safety. Day laborer information preferences and use of media needs further studying. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:476-485, 2016.
Keywords:
Latino health; New Orleans; construction industry; day laborers; gender discrimination; health education; information preferences; occupational safety
Authors: Maria Eugenia Fernández-Esquer; Cecilia F Aguerre; Martha Ojeda; Louis D Brown; John S Atkinson; Jayson M Rhoton; Cristina Espinosa Da Silva; Pamela M Diamond Journal: J Health Care Poor Underserved Date: 2020