Authors
Dong-XS; Fujimoto-A; Ringen-K; Men-Y
Source
Accid Anal Prev 2009 Sep; 41(5):1047-1052
Abstract
This study evaluated occupational deaths resulting from fall injuries among Hispanic construction workers using data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries and the Current Population Survey. The demographics and characteristics of fatal falls among Hispanic workers were examined and compared with that of their white, non-Hispanic counterparts. The results show that fatal injuries among Hispanic construction workers were more likely to be caused by a fall than their white, non-Hispanic counterparts (OR=1.48, 95% CI: 1.05-2.10) after controlling for possible confounders. The rate of fatal falls for foreign-born Hispanic construction workers was 5.5 per 100,000 FTE, which is significantly higher than 4.1 per 100,000 FTE for Hispanic workers who were born in the U.S. (OR=1.36, 95% CI: 1.08-1.67). The disparities in fatal injuries from falls were found in age groups, job tenure, occupations, and types of construction projects. This study also found that about every two of three fatal falls in construction occurred in establishments with 10 or fewer employees. More prevention, intervention, and training measures must be applied to Hispanic workers, especially those who are new immigrants. OSHA enforcements should target small construction establishments in order to lower overall fatality rates, costs, and unnecessary losses of life.
Keywords
Construction-industry; Construction-workers; Mathematical-models; Mortality-data; Mortality-rates; Occupational-exposure; Occupational-hazards; Qualitative-analysis; Racial-factors; Safety-education; Safety-measures; Safety-practices; Statistical-analysis; Training; Work-analysis; Work-environment; Worker-health; Workplace-monitoring; Workplace-studies; Work-practices;
Author Keywords: Fatal fall; Hispanic; Construction; Immigrant; Foreign-born; Small establishment; Young worker; Older worker
Contact
CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training, 8484 Georgia Avenue, Suite 1000, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
sdong@cpwr.com
Funding Type
Cooperative Agreement
Identifying No.
Cooperative-Agreement-Number-U54-OH-008307
Priority Area
Construction
Source Name
Accident Analysis and Prevention
Performing Organization
Center to Protect Workers' Rights