Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #117704

Mary K. Salazar, EdD, RN, COHN-S, Occupational Health Nursing Program, Universtiy of Washington, School of Nursing, Box 357262, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, 206-685-0857, msalazar@u.washington.edu, Karen Snyder, PhD, MPH, Department of Anthropology, University of Washington, Box 357234, Seattle, WA 98195-7234, and Matthew Keifer, MD, MPH, Dep Env & Occ Hlth Sciences and Int Scholars Occ Env Hlth, University of Washington, Box 357234, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7234.

This paper will describe the findings from 18 key informant interviews that were conducted in order to examine perspectives about the health and safety of orchard workers. Key informants consisted of community members who had some personal knowledge about orchard work; they included orchard owners and supervisors, safety professionals, health care providers, legal service providers and worker representatives who lived and worked in one of four major agricultural areas in Washington State. Subjects were asked to describe their perspectives about injuries and accidents in the orchards including factors that contribute to these events, current health and safety practices, and methods to reduce injuries and illnesses from occurring. Eye injuries were the most frequently mentioned injury; this was followed by musculoskeletal injuries such as sprains and strains. Other injuries and illnesses included allergies, cystitis (due to lack of toilet facilities), electrocution, heat exhaustion, hypothermia and skin rashes. Examples of risk factors mentioned are equipment (e.g., ladders, pruning shears), “bodily movement,” pesticide exposure and weather conditions. Four categories of factors contributing to injury were gleaned from the interviews: workers factors, employer factors, factors “inherent” to orchard work, and contextual factors (i.e., regulations and economic issues). Comments about safety practices referred both to worker responsibility and to organizational practices. Methods suggested to prevent injury included reducing the size of the trees, better worker training, and maintenance of equipment. This study provides some valuable insight into the causes and methods to prevent injuries and illnesses among orchard workers.

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