Organization of crop and horse breeding work in Central Kentucky and its impact on occupational health outcomes for Latino farmworkers

Agricultural work ranks among the most hazardous in the U.S. for fatalities, injuries, and illnesses and employs significant numbers of Latino workers, many of whom may be undocumented and/or vulnerable to exploitation. Research on health outcomes associated with job-related physical and psychological stressors for Latino farmworkers is scarce.

Using a community based sample of 103 Latino farmworkers employed in the crop (n=50) and horse (n=53) industries in Kentucky, this paper describes the organization of work in said industries; identifies the job-related health issues among Latino farmworkers employed in them; and determines which aspects of work organization are associated with negative occupational health outcomes and illness/injury for Latino farmworkers. Data were collected as part of a cross-sectional pilot study through a sample of convenience. The interview-assisted survey included questions about work organization (physical and psychological stressors), physical health status, and illness/injury. Interviews were conducted in Spanish and included standardized measures tested with Latino farmworkers.

Results suggest that in both industries, workers averaged 9-11 hours/day, six days/week. Crop work was more physically demanding with more exposure to environmental stressors than horse production. Though training and commitment to safety was low in both industries, crop management was less likely to provide safety equipment. Crop workers reported higher incidence of illness and of missed work due to job-related illness/injury.

Study findings will inform community health practitioners and farm owners of occupational hazards among this population and will identify priorities for a study determining strategies to minimize occupational hazards in crop and horse production.