Work Ethic and Cognitive Models of Work: The Contribution of Family Members, Contractors and Workers Perspectives on Elevated Injury and Fatality Among Latino Workers in Small-Scale Residential Construction

Details

• Personal Author:
  Montgomery S
• Description:
  Background. Research indicates that young immigrant Latino construction workers are at a disproportionately greater risk of work-related injuries compared to their non-Latino counterparts. Evidence suggests that there is a complex system of influencing factors that contribute to their lack of adoption of safety measures on site. One key factor, is social influence from close sources. The transactional model of communication theory suggests that individuals who share similar culture or environments, communicate in a dynamic manner. As a result, workers may receive multiple narratives which may encourage or discourage their safety behaviors. This study aimed to explore the conflicting messages from co-workers, contractors and family members that collectively influence workers' beliefs about safety. Methods. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were undertaken with n=14 family members (usually a spouse), n=4 Latino contractors and n=8 Latino workers in the framing and roofing trades of small-scale residential construction. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed for dominant themes and patterns. Results. Both contractors and workers believed they had to "work harder" and "faster" than their American counterparts to demonstrate their value, because of their "immigrant" status in the U.S. Additionally, they felt "peer pressure" to work fast. Such behaviors impeded safety. However, workers acknowledged that safety was their "responsibility". Alternatively, family members held "safety concerns" for the workers' wellbeing, whilst also addressing the need for the worker to provide "financially". Limitations. The generalizability of study findings is unknown because the data are from a small, regional sample of contractors, workers and their family members in two trades of small-residential construction. Implications. Workers often receive conflicting messages from individuals within their social circle that contribute to their adoption (or lack thereof) of safety behaviors and risk on the construction site. Safety interventions must acknowledge and account for the complex social influences impacting on workers' safety decisions. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Behavior Construction Industry Emigration And Immigration Family Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Construction Workers Families Immigrant Workers Qualitative Methods Worker Safety
• Publisher:
  UTHealth School of Public Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Florida ; OSHA Region 4
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20070873
• Citation:
  The Expanded Focus for OSH (Ex4OSH): Expanding Occupational Safety and Health: an International Conference, December 9-11, 2021, virtual event. Tyler, TX: UTHealth School of Public Health, 2021 Dec; :1
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2022
• NORA Priority Area:
  Construction
• Performing Organization:
  Florida State University
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20200803
• Source Full Name:
  The Expanded Focus for OSH (Ex4OSH): Expanding Occupational Safety and Health: an International Conference, December 9-11, 2021, virtual event
• End Date:
  20230731
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:fb4f33fbe89ab0d3ae30388fcafb6d9c4c38980c4660ad82acf8eab05fe48571cfe9a31f8642148f43475aad2e359272fe3b73c232063bac17175bdcc37882db
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/209001/cdc_209001_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 344.42 KB ]