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Date of Award

Spring 2020

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Historical & Political Studies; College of Arts & Sciences

First Advisor

Hilary Parsons Dick

Abstract

While the general rate of workplace injuries gradually goes down, for Latino male Immigrant workers (LMIW) the rate continues to climb—why? Background: This paper explores possible reasons why LMIW within the United States, have higher risks of injury within fields involving physical labor. Aims: To establish the causes of underreporting occupational injuries amongst LMIW and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)'s role in providing safety guidelines and injury reporting procedure. The author also aims to identify the vulnerable socioeconomic position LMIW can typically find themselves in, and relate it to their accessibility to healthcare and injury compensation. Data/Methods: Various safety procedures and protective equipment guidelines set forth by the U.S. Department of Labor and OSHA, were used to identify safety violations, typical at the workplaces of Latino male Immigrants. Ethnographic data collected from studies that administered surveys, interviews, and field work from popular Latino Laborer hot spots, were also used to study LMIW’s interactions with health, within their communities. To understand the social position of immigrants and how it relates to their risk of injury, the author also utilized news reports of Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) raids at factories where many Latinos work, protests from the Latino community advocates, and political discourse revolving Latino Immigrants in order. Results: OSHA fails in its responsibility to keenly supervise work environments for safety protocol, and in ensuring Latino Immigrant Laborers compensation for their injuries sustained at work. The social position and associated financial strain on Latino Immigrants due to their documentation status and ethnic identity simultaneously elevates their risk of injury, weakens their mental health, and discourages them from seeking injury compensation or medical attention. Conclusions: The government bodies within the U.S. that produce regulatory public health policy, need to recognized the needs of LMIW’s intersectional identity, and work with OSHA to make sure this workforce's health is a priority.

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Latino Male Immigrant Workers: The Unvoiced Workforce within the U.S., Subject to Higher Risks of Injury & Left without Support

While the general rate of workplace injuries gradually goes down, for Latino male Immigrant workers (LMIW) the rate continues to climb—why? Background: This paper explores possible reasons why LMIW within the United States, have higher risks of injury within fields involving physical labor. Aims: To establish the causes of underreporting occupational injuries amongst LMIW and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)'s role in providing safety guidelines and injury reporting procedure. The author also aims to identify the vulnerable socioeconomic position LMIW can typically find themselves in, and relate it to their accessibility to healthcare and injury compensation. Data/Methods: Various safety procedures and protective equipment guidelines set forth by the U.S. Department of Labor and OSHA, were used to identify safety violations, typical at the workplaces of Latino male Immigrants. Ethnographic data collected from studies that administered surveys, interviews, and field work from popular Latino Laborer hot spots, were also used to study LMIW’s interactions with health, within their communities. To understand the social position of immigrants and how it relates to their risk of injury, the author also utilized news reports of Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) raids at factories where many Latinos work, protests from the Latino community advocates, and political discourse revolving Latino Immigrants in order. Results: OSHA fails in its responsibility to keenly supervise work environments for safety protocol, and in ensuring Latino Immigrant Laborers compensation for their injuries sustained at work. The social position and associated financial strain on Latino Immigrants due to their documentation status and ethnic identity simultaneously elevates their risk of injury, weakens their mental health, and discourages them from seeking injury compensation or medical attention. Conclusions: The government bodies within the U.S. that produce regulatory public health policy, need to recognized the needs of LMIW’s intersectional identity, and work with OSHA to make sure this workforce's health is a priority.