Occupational Safety and Health of Foreign-Born, Latinx Dairy Workers in Colorado.

Abstract

The US dairy industry, which employs foreign-born, primarily Latinx workers, has a two-fold higher injury rate than the national average. Little research has been conducted to understand the factors associated with the occupational safety and health (OSH) among foreign-born, Latinx dairy workers. Structured interviews were conducted with 55 workers to assess a variety of OSH variables, including training experiences, health outcomes, and the psychosocial environment of the dairy. Participants reported a high number of work-related injuries, limited awareness of the risks inherent in dairy work, and the perception that work-related injuries are unpreventable. The psychosocial environment of the dairy was found to have a significant influence on OSH outcomes. In addition to implementing culturally congruent OSH training for all workers, it is imperative to promote strong leadership and communication skills among dairy managers.