Occupational Injuries of Latinx Child Farmworkers in North Carolina: Associations With Work Safety Culture

J Occup Environ Med. 2020 Oct;62(10):853-858. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001982.

Abstract

Objective: This paper examines the association of occupational injuries with work safety culture among Latinx child farmworkers.

Methods: Interviews were conducted in 2017 with 202 Latinx farmworkers aged 10 to 17 years.

Results: Occupational injuries were common among the child farmworkers: for example, 66.8% reported any work injury and 45.5% reported heat-related illness. Work safety culture was inadequate; for example, most did not receive safety training, one-third reported having worked piece-rate; only a few field sanitation services were available, and perceived work safety climate was low. Work safety culture had a mixed association with occupational injuries, with safety training and a better perceived work safety climate having a direct association with occupational injuries.

Conclusions: Policy is needed to reduce child farmworker injuries. Strategies to improve the predictive value of the work safety culture model are required.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture
  • Child
  • Farmers*
  • Hispanic or Latino
  • Humans
  • North Carolina / epidemiology
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Occupational Health*
  • Occupational Injuries* / epidemiology
  • Safety Management*
  • Transients and Migrants*