Working Conditions, Occupational Injuries, and Health Among Filipino Fish Processing Workers in Dutch Harbor, Alaska

Garcia, Gabriel Macasiray; de Castro, Butch

doi:10.1177/2165079916665396

i

Working Conditions, Occupational Injuries, and Health Among Filipino Fish Processing Workers in Dutch Harbor, Alaska

Supporting Files

5-2017
By Garcia, Gabriel Macasiray ; de Castro, Butch

File Language:

English

Details

Alternative Title:

Workplace Health Saf
Personal Author:

Garcia, Gabriel Macasiray ; de Castro, Butch
Description:

This study explored how unique environmental conditions in Alaska influenced occupational health and safety for Filipino fish processing workers, many of whom migrated from warm locations (e.g., the Philippines, California, and Nevada). In-depth interviews were conducted with 26 Filipino workers in one commercial fish processing company in Dutch Harbor. Results indicated that cold weather interferes with workers' job performance, increasing their risk for injury and illness, whereas the community's isolation and rural nature causes loneliness and boredom, resulting in more high-risk behaviors. Other non-environmental factors affecting worker health include roommate and supervisor concerns and culture-specific practices. Findings suggest the importance of job rotation to avoid long exposures to cold temperatures, the value of a designated individual to inform workers about company and community resources that promote healthy lifestyles, and the possible utility of a joint worker-management safety committee.
Keywords:

Adult Alaska Cold Temperature Cross-Sectional Studies Cumulative Trauma Disorders Female Filipino Food-Processing Industry Health Humans Immigrant Male Middle Aged Occupational Health Occupational Injuries Philippines Rural Population Sleep Deprivation Time Factors Weather Workforce Working Conditions
Source:

Workplace Health Saf. 65(5):219-226
Pubmed ID:

27729501
Pubmed Central ID:

PMC5570591
Document Type:

Journal Article
Funding:

U54 OH007544/OH/NIOSH CDC HHSUnited States/ ; U54OH007544/ACL/ACL HHSUnited States/
Volume:

65
Issue:

5
Collection(s):

CDC Public Access
Main Document Checksum:

urn:sha256:615a774ee7904066856ad9e70d1fdc839368fa0ee8eb07ee0d0836d2978baf2f
Download URL:

https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/47749/cdc_47749_DS1.pdf
File Type:

[PDF - 81.26 KB ]

nihms894824.nxml

Download xml

File Language:

English

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