This descriptive study examined fatal occupational injuries among Hispanic workers in Texas from 1993 to 1997. For that period, the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, which is administered in Texas by the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission, provided a comprehensive data set of 2,451 occupational fatality cases in the state, of which 671 (27%) cases involved one or more Hispanic workers. Calculation of crude fatality rates was based on estimated Hispanic workforce from the Current Population Survey. Coding of injuries was standardized by the use of the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System. The mean age for Hispanic fatal cases was 37, compared to 43 for non-Hispanic cases. Among Hispanic fatalities, wage and salary workers comprised 86% of the total number of fatalities. Specifically, construction laborers represented 30% of the cases. However, a comparison of crude fatality rates by industry showed the highest risk of 58/100,000 for Hispanic workers in mining, followed by 20/100,000 in construction, and 16/100,000 in agriculture. By occupation, operators, fabricators, and laborers cumulatively represented 45% of Hispanic cases, but workers in occupations related to farming, forestry, and fishing had the highest annual average rate of 15/100,000. Events classified as "highway incidents" accounted for the greatest number of Hispanic fatalities (34%), but the most frequent event attributable to deaths on the job (10%) involved firearms. Being struck by a falling object was the second most frequent event of fatalities (6%). Assaults and violent acts remain a major concern for Hispanic workers, especially women, in the retail trade industry.
Learning Objectives: 1. Recognize the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries as an important injury surveillance system. 2. Assess the use of estimated employment data from the Current Population Survey to construct crude fatality rates. 3. Identify high-risk occupations and industries involving Hispanic workers in Texas
Keywords: Hispanic, Mortality
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Texas Workers' Compensation Commission
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.