Abstract
To assess the occupational health of a group of vulnerable workers, Southeast Asians, in Lowell, Massachusetts, researchers surveyed 160 residents of Cambodian or Lao ethnicity regarding working conditions, health problems, and use of medical services. Over 40% reported work in electronics and computer assembly. A fourth of those currently employed held temporary jobs. Workplace hazards included soldering fumes; inadequate ventilation; prolonged sitting or standing; awkward postures; unguarded machinery; shift work; long hours; and pressure to produce quickly. Common work-related health problems included sprains and strains, headache, dizziness, and flu-like symptoms. Less than a third of the respondents knew about workers' compensation. Household surveys can provide otherwise unavailable occupational health data for defined populations.
Keywords
Occupational-health; Surveillance-programs; Occupational-diseases; Workers; Demographic-characteristics; Occupational-exposure; Solvents; Dust-particles; Dusts; Injuries; Dermatitis; Musculoskeletal-system-disorders; Training; Equipment-operators; Computer-equipment; Burns; Electrical-burns; Solvent-vapors; Solvents; Soldering; Chemical-cleaning; Chemical-industry-workers