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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Deogracia Cornelio, MA and Linda Delp, MPH. Labor Occupational Safety & Health program, University of California Los Angeles, Box 951478, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1478, 310 794 5965, dcorn@ucla.edu

The increased rate of work-related injuries and illnesses among immigrants compared to other workers has generated concern and attention to developing effective health and safety programs. This paper discusses obstacles and successes based on experiences with immigrant workers in Los Angeles, including garment, hotel and laundry workers, janitors and day laborers. We discuss creative approaches and lessons learned from working with unions and community-based organizations to reach immigrant workers. We identify criteria important to the success of immigrant worker participation on health and safety committees and the particular challenges involved in confronting power relations and differences in cultural backgrounds. We explore questions about the role of structural support and collective action to the success of workers' efforts to improve health and safety conditions, and about the applicability of worker education and empowerment models to immigrant workers' specific needs.

Learning Objectives: Participants will

• Recognize specific needs of immigrant workers as they relate to workplace health and safety.
• Identify how challenges associated with power relations and cultural differences impact immigrant workers participation in health and safety efforts.
• Discuss how these needs and challenges can be addressed through a critical approach to the development of worker education programs.

Keywords: Immigrants, Occupational Health Programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation