scholarly journals Health and Occupational Injury Experienced by Latinx Child Farmworkers in North Carolina, USA

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Arcury ◽  
Taylor J. Arnold ◽  
Sara A. Quandt ◽  
Haiying Chen ◽  
Gregory D. Kearney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Occupational Injury ◽  
Occupational Injuries ◽  
Traumatic Injury ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
The United States ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Work Injuries ◽  
The Past

Children as young as 10 years old are hired to work on farms in the United States (U.S.). These children are largely Latinx. Using interview data collected from 202 North Carolina Latinx child farmworkers in 2017, this analysis documents the heath characteristics and occupational injuries of Latinx child farmworkers and delineates characteristics associated with their health and occupational injuries. Latinx child farmworkers include girls (37.6%) and boys (62.4%), aged 10 to 17 years, with 17.8% being migrant farmworkers. Three-quarters reported receiving medical and dental care in the past year. Respiratory (15.8%) and vision (20.3%) problems were prevalent. Girls more than boys, and younger more than older children had greater health service utilization. Occupational injuries were common, with 26.2% reporting a traumatic injury, 44.1% a dermatological injury, 42.6% a musculoskeletal injury, and 45.5% heat-related illness in the past year. Age increased the odds of reporting work injuries and heat-related illness, and being a non-migrant reduced the odds of reporting work injuries. These results emphasize the need for greater documentation of child farmworker occupational health and safety. They underscore the need to change occupational safety policy to ensure that children working in agriculture have the same protections as those working in all other U.S. industries.

Injuries and Occupational Safety

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawn N. Castillo ◽  
Timothy J. Pizatella ◽  
Nancy A. Stout
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Occupational Injury ◽  
Occupational Injuries ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hierarchical Approach ◽  
Safety Hazards ◽  
Injury Control

This chapter describes occupational injuries and their prevention. It describes in detail the causes of injuries and epidemiology of injuries. Occupational injuries are caused by acute exposure in the workplace to safety hazards, such as mechanical energy, electricity, chemicals, and ionizing radiation, or from the sudden lack of essential agents, such as oxygen or heat. This chapter describes the nature and the magnitude of occupational injuries in the United States. It provides data on risk of injuries in different occupations and industries. Finally, it discusses prevention of injuries, using a hierarchical approach to occupational injury control.

scholarly journals Self-Reported Occupational Injuries and Perceived Occupational Health Problems among Latino Immigrant Swine Confinement Workers in Missouri

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athena K. Ramos ◽  
Axel Fuentes ◽  
Marcela Carvajal-Suarez
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Occupational Injury ◽  
Occupational Injuries ◽  
Nasal Congestion ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Swine Confinement ◽  
Latino Immigrant

Swine production has changed dramatically, and in the United States production often takes place in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Because of the size and density of these types of facilities, workers may be exposed to serious occupational health risks such as noxious gases, agricultural dusts, elevated noise levels, and zoonotic diseases. This descriptive study examines self-reported occupational injuries and perceived occupational health problems among a convenience sample of 40 Latino immigrant swine confinement workers (92.5% male; M age = 36.1 years; SD = 10.0) in Missouri. Results indicated that seventeen workers (42.5%) rated their health as fair or poor, thirteen (32.5%) had experienced an occupational injury, and eleven (28.2%) reported occupational health problems such as burning eyes, muscular pain, headaches, coughing, nausea, nasal congestion, and sneezing. The majority of workers did not perceive their job to be dangerous. Clearly, more must be done to protect workers, especially immigrant workers, who may not have the same access to information, training, or other protections. Health and safety should be a priority for both farmworkers and farm employers. Practical and policy-based implications and recommendations are discussed.

scholarly journals Ergonomic Evaluation of Current Advancements in Blueberry Harvesting

Agronomy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunsik Kim ◽  
Andris Freivalds ◽  
Fumiomi Takeda ◽  
Changying Li
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
The United States ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Component Ratio ◽  
Social Scientists ◽  
Private Industry ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Trauma Disorders

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) accounted for 32% of days-away-from-work cases in private industry in 2016. Several factors have been associated with MSDs, such as repetitive motion, excessive force, awkward and/or sustained postures, and prolonged sitting and standing, all of which are required in farm workers’ labor. While numerous epidemiological studies on the prevention of MSDs in agriculture have been conducted, an ergonomics evaluation of blueberry harvesting has not yet been systematically performed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors of MSDs for several types of blueberry harvesting (hand harvesting, semi-mechanical harvesting with hand-held shakers, and over-the-row machines) in terms of workers’ postural loads and self-reported discomfort using ergonomics intervention techniques. Five field studies in the western region of the United States between 2017 and 2018 were conducted using the Borg CR10 scale, electromyography (EMG), Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), the Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD) index, and the NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) lifting equation. In evaluating the workloads of picking and moving blueberries by hand, semi-mechanical harvesting with hand-held shakers, and completely mechanized harvesting, only EMG and the NIOSH lifting equation were used, as labor for this system is limited to loading empty lugs and unloading full lugs. Based on the results, we conclude that working on the fully mechanized harvester would be the best approach to minimizing worker loading and fatigue. This is because the total component ratio of postures in hand harvesting with a RULA score equal to or greater than 5 was 69%, indicating that more than half of the postures were high risk for shoulder pain. For the semi-mechanical harvesting, the biggest problem with the shakers is the vibration, which can cause fatigue and various risks to workers, especially in the upper limbs. However, it would be challenging for small- and medium-sized blueberry farms to purchase automated harvesters due to their high cost. Thus, collaborative efforts among health and safety professionals, engineers, social scientists, and ergonomists are needed to provide effective ergonomic interventions.

scholarly journals The Value of Citizen Science in Increasing Our Knowledge of Under-Sampled Biodiversity: An Overview of Public Documentation of Auchenorrhyncha and the Hoppers of North Carolina

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle D. Kittelberger ◽  
Solomon V. Hendrix ◽  
Çağan Hakkı Şekercioğlu
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
The United States ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
The Past ◽  
Global Biodiversity ◽  
Temporal And Spatial

Due to the increasing popularity of websites specializing in nature documentation, there has been a surge in the number of people enthusiastic about observing and documenting nature over the past 2 decades. These citizen scientists are recording biodiversity on unprecedented temporal and spatial scales, rendering data of tremendous value to the scientific community. In this study, we investigate the role of citizen science in increasing knowledge of global biodiversity through the examination of notable contributions to the understanding of the insect suborder Auchenorrhyncha, also known as true hoppers, in North America. We have compiled a comprehensive summary of citizen science contributions—published and unpublished—to the understanding of hopper diversity, finding over fifty previously unpublished country and state records as well as dozens of undescribed and potentially undescribed species. We compare citizen science contributions to those published in the literature as well as specimen records in collections in the United States and Canada, illuminating the fact that the copious data afforded by citizen science contributions are underutilized. We also introduce the website Hoppers of North Carolina, a revolutionary new benchmark for tracking hopper diversity, disseminating knowledge from the literature, and incorporating citizen science. Finally, we provide a series of recommendations for both the entomological community and citizen science platforms on how best to approach, utilize, and increase the quality of sightings from the general public.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

1972 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theodore F. Schoenborn
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Coal Mine ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
The United States ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Health Laws ◽  
Mine Health And Safety

It is a pleasure to be here today to speak to you about the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, which is landmark legislation by any measure applied to it. The Act applies to every employer affecting commerce in the United States and its territories which was not covered by other Federal occupational safety and health laws, such as the Metal and Non-metallic Mine Act, the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act and the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. By 1973 a study is to be completed containing recommendations for combining all Federal occupational safety and health programs. Paper published with permission.

Are we Failing Vulnerable Workers? the Case of Black Women in Poultry Processing in Rural North Carolina

2007 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 17-40
Author(s):  
H. J. Lipscomb ◽  
J. M. Dement ◽  
C. A. Epling ◽  
M. A. Mcdonald ◽  
A. L. Schoenfisch
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Musculoskeletal Symptoms ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Poverty Level ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Poultry Processing

In 1989, North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspectors cited two poultry processing plants in northeastern North Carolina for serious repetitive motion problems. In 1990, investigators from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health confirmed significant upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders among workers. We now report on analyses of baseline data collected from a cohort of women employed in one of these plants. The plant, which is the largest employer of women in the area, is located in a sparsely populated area with a black majority where nearly one-third of the population lives below the poverty level. Conditions we report suggest failure of existing health and safety systems, both regulatory and consultative, to prevent morbidity among vulnerable women in this industry, as well as social and economic conditions that influence availability of work and use of benefits to which they are entitled.

Exploring the Distressing Events and Perceptions of Support Experienced by Rural and Remote Nurses: A Thematic Analysis of National Survey Data

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (10) ◽  
pp. 480-490
Author(s):  
Sharleen Jahner ◽  
Kelly Penz ◽  
Norma J. Stewart ◽  
Martha L. P. MacLeod
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Support ◽  
Traumatic Injury ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Psychosocial Health ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Failure To Rescue ◽  
Rural And Remote ◽  
The Past ◽  
Workplace Policies ◽  
Potential Risks

Background: Exposure to traumatic events is an occupational hazard with potential adverse psychological consequences. Previous research has focused mainly on urban practice settings; therefore, this study explored the distressing experiences encountered by rural/remote nurses and their perception of organizational support. Methods: Thematic analyses were conducted on open-ended data from a pan-Canadian survey of 3,822 regulated nurses, where 1,222 nurses (32%) reported experiencing an extremely distressing health care incident within the past 2 years. Among the respondents, 804 nurses (65%) reported that they did not receive psychological support from the organizations leadership following incidents. Findings: Three main themes regarding distressing events were: (a) involvement in profound events of death/dying, traumatic injury and loss, (b) experiencing or witnessing severe violence and/or aggression, and (c) failure to rescue or protect patients/clients. Three themes were identified regarding perceptions of organizational support including: (a) feeling well supported in the work setting with debriefing and reliance on informal peer support, (b) lack of acknowledgement and support from leaders on the nature and impact of distressing events, and (c) barriers influencing access to adequate mental health services in rural/remote settings. Conclusion/Application to Practice: Findings suggest that rural/remote nurses rely on informal, peer supports; there is a lack of organizational understanding of the potential risks to their psychosocial health and safety. They require more accessible, structured, appropriate, and timely supports within these settings. Increased understanding of the psychological hazards will assist organizations to establish workplace policies and practices designed to protect and support rural/remote nurses.

Injuries and Seasonal Risks among Young Workers in West Virginia—A 10-Year Retrospective Descriptive Analysis

AAOHN Journal ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (9) ◽  
pp. 381-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscah Mujuru ◽  
Miriam Mutambudzi
Keyword(s):  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Occupational Injury ◽  
Service Industry ◽  
Occupational Injuries ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Primary Concern ◽  
Young Workers ◽  
Injury Rates

This study used workers' compensation data to examine seasonal trends of compensable injuries among workers 14 to 24 years old during a 10-year period. These workers had higher rates of occupational injuries in major classes of industry (e.g., service, manufacturing, and agriculture) during summer and non-summer months. The overall rate of occupational injury was significantly higher for male workers than female workers in all age groups ( p & .001). Young workers experienced occupational injuries within less than 3 hours of starting a shift. Among males, injury rates were highest in the manufacturing industry for those 14 to 18 years old and in the service industry for those 22 to 24 years old for both seasons. These results indicate that preventing injuries among young workers should be a primary concern of education and health and safety professionals and parents.

scholarly journals Occupational Injuries among Latino/a Immigrant Cattle Feedyard Workers in the Central States Region of the United States

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8821
Author(s):  
Athena K. Ramos ◽  
Suraj Adhikari ◽  
Aaron M. Yoder ◽  
Risto H. Rautiainen
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Occupational Injuries ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
The United States ◽  
Safety Training ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Past ◽  
Risk Of Injury ◽  
Latino Immigrant

Agriculture is a dangerous industry with high rates of occupational injuries. Immigrants comprise the majority of the hired agricultural workforce in the United States, and these workers may be at a higher risk for job-related injuries. This study addressed the frequency, characteristics, and risk factors of occupational injuries among Latino immigrant cattle feedyard workers. Data were collected through structured interviews with Latino immigrant cattle feedyard workers in Kansas and Nebraska (n = 243; 90.9% male). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to identify risk factors for injury. Nearly three-fourths of participants (71.2%) reported having experienced one or more injuries in the past while working on a cattle feedyard. The most frequent types of reported injuries, including those not requiring medical care, were bruises/contusions (40%), cuts/lacerations (21%), and sprains/strains (12%). These injuries were mainly caused by animals/livestock (33%), chemicals (23%), falls (12%), and tools (9%). Significant risk factors for injury included male gender (OR 5.9), being over age 35 (OR 2.6), working on a large or an extra-large feedyard (OR 5.4), having 11 or more employees on the feedyard (OR 3.6), and working more than eight hours a day (OR 4.7). Having received safety training was also associated with greater risk of injury in a univariable model (OR 2.6). Cattle feedyard workers are at high risk for injury and require more effective preventive measures.

scholarly journals AquaSafe: Aquaculture occupational safety and health in the palm of your hand

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-54
Author(s):  
Flavielle Blanco Marques ◽  
Giovani Nicolas Bettoni ◽  
Bruno Gomes Tavares Santos ◽  
Ayodeji A. Adeoye ◽  
Benito Guimaraes Brito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
User Interfaces ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Occupational Injuries ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Occupational Hazards ◽  
Development Environment ◽  
Software Application ◽  
Mobile Software ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Education Platform

The main objective of this study was to develop a freely available mobile software application and education platform in health and safety for aquaculture workers and managers.  The application, called AquaSafe, was created in Portuguese and English for the Android system using the Java 8 programming language and the Android Studio development environment. AquaSafe content focusses on the identification of hazards and health risks, hazardous sources and preventive measures for occupational health and safety in the aquaculture sector. It has three predominantly interactive user interfaces to reinforce the main messages, which include games in the form of compliance checklists, quizzes and question-answer tools. The software is designed to act as a platform for assessment and management of occupational hazards, guide decision making on simple techniques or measures to prevent injuries, diseases and fatalities during aquaculture activities. It is envisaged that the AquaSafe mobile software will contribute to the prevention of occupational injuries and diseases in aquaculture.

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