A qualitative investigation of Hispanic construction worker perspectives on factors impacting worksite safety and risk

Environmental Health

Research

Linda Sprague-Martinez¹  Lenore Azaroff²  Maria Brunette²  Cora Roelofs² 

[1] Community Health Program, Tufts University, 02155, Medford, MA, USA;Department of Work Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 01854, Lowell, MA, USA;

关键词: Focus Group;    Construction Worker;    Personal Protective Equipment;    Safety Climate;    Hazardous Condition;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1476-069X-10-84

 received in 2011-05-19, accepted in 2011-09-30,  发布年份 2011

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundHispanic workers have higher rates of injury and death on construction worksites than workers of other ethnicities. Language barriers and cultural differences have been hypothesized as reasons behind the disparate rates.MethodsWe conducted two series of focus groups with union and non-union Hispanic construction workers to ask them about their perceptions of the causes for the unequal rates. Spanish transcripts were translated and coded in QSR NVivo software for common themes.ResultsWorkers reported a difficult work environment characterized by supervisor pressure, competition for jobs and intimidation with regard to raising safety concerns. Language barriers or cultural factors were not strongly represented as causative factors behind the rates.ConclusionThe results of this study have informed the development of an intervention trial that seeks to prevent falls and silica dust exposure by training contractors employing Hispanic construction workers in the elements of safety leadership, including building respect for their Hispanic workers and facilitating their participation in a safety program.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Roelofs et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2011