Name of Report: Appendix F: Reaching Spanish-speaking workers and employers with Occupational Safety and Health Information; Safety is Seguridad: A Workshop Summary
Organizational Affiliation: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Author: Tom O' Connor, Consultant
Contact Information: National Academy of Sciences , 500 Fifth St., NW , Washington , D.C. 20001
Date: 2003
Pages: 25
Content Summary
This report is primarily concerned with addressing the informational needs of Spanish speaking workers in relation to occupational safety concerns. The various data presented in the report display how occupational injury is a significant issue for Hispanic populations in the U.S. This paper opens by offering some basic background statistics pertaining to the status of the Spanish-speaking working age population in the U.S. The data referred to was obtained from the 2000 Census. The next section of the report offers recommendations on how to address the needs of Spanish-speaking population through comprehensive literature. Subsequently, the dialogue then focuses on determining the most effective ways to reach workers. Some examples and suggestions of effective worker outreach initiatives are included. These include creating trust relationships between employers and workers, working with unions, and spreading information through the internet, television, and radio. Another significant segment of the report discusses the need for extensive training of employees on safety techniques and ways to handle hazardous situations. Finally, the remainder of the paper emphasizes the need for communication and outreach, through literature and other means, for Spanish-speaking workers.
Major Findings
One interesting finding mentioned in the report is that existing research suggests that Hispanic women face greater risk of occupational injury and illness than non-Hispanic women as a result of disproportionate numbers of Hispanic women in high-hazard industries and occupations. Previous observations also found that worksite-based training for workers is limited because of factors such as the intimidating presence of management, competition with work demands, and poor training conditions. One suggestion for Spanish language Occupational Safety and Health materials is that it should be broken down into four areas. 1) Basic information on Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and workers rights. 2) Basic "hazard awareness". 3) Skills for addressing work hazards and maintaining good health and safety. 4) Industry or hazard-specific training. It was also recommended that existing literature on occupational health and safety be significantly improved as a means of reaching larger audiences specifically those with limited English proficiency. The closing recommendations ask for training for bilingual work supervisors, managers, and contractors.
Unaddressed Issues and Concerns
While this report is concerned primarily with Spanish-speaking workers in the U.S., it would also be useful to observe how these issues affect other minority populations in the U.S. that are at risk of suffering from dangerous injuries on the job. Primarily, the issue of safety and health is one that affects multiple groups, especially poor and working class immigrant communities of people. It is also important to understand the roles that racism and xenophobia have in complicating these issues. Moreover, it would be extremely beneficial to study how these particular issues translate for African and Asian immigrant workers, as well as Native Americans. As Erik Nicholson, Pacific Northwest regional director of United Farmworkers states, "Racism is alive and well in this country, and if a lot of things were happening to white people that are happening to Hispanics, this country would be in an uproar" (Krisberg, 11).
Reference List
Krisberg , Kim . "Work Place Health Disparities Increasing Among Hispanics." Nation's Health 34.2 (2004):11-12
How To Access Report
http://books.nap.edu/books/0309087066/html/93.html