183317 Immigrant workers in construction

Monday, October 27, 2008: 10:45 AM

Suzanne Teran, MPH , Labor Occupational Health Program, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Robin Baker, MPH , Labor Occupational Health Program, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Jim Platner, PhD, CIH , CPWR: The Center for Construction Research & Training, Silver Spring, MD
Debra Chaplan , State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, Oakland, CA
Immigrant workers make up a large and growing percentage of the U.S. construction workforce today. Recent reports reveal that immigrants have high rates of fatalities and injuries on the job, and that there is a growing need to develop innovative strategies to address the health and safety needs of this high-risk population. A series of interviews was conducted with leaders in the building and construction trades to determine how labor unions are responding to this challenge. This paper summarizes the range of approaches being taken by unions, apprenticeship programs, and community partners to reach out to immigrant workers, provide training and assist in improving protections. It also presents the results of a landmark 2007 national conference on immigrant workers in construction, convened by the national and California building trades, in conjunction with the University of California.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the extent of risk for immigrant construction workers in the U.S. 2. Be aware of the range of approaches being taken by unions, apprenticeship programs and community-based organizations to better reach and protect immigrant construction workers. 3. Explore common barriers and strategies for reaching high-risk immigrant workers.

Keywords: Immigrants, Labor

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: MPH in health education, More than 20 years of experience designing programs for immigrant workers.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Occupational Health Disparities Institute: Addressing Issues of Minority and Immigrant Workers
See more of: Occupational Health and Safety