Role of community based organizations in disaster preparedness for immigrant day laborers: An effective model for protecting worker safety and health

Background: Following Hurricane Sandy, Make the Road New York, a community-based advocacy organization, alongside the Center for Biology of Natural Systems at Queens College, developed a safety and health training program for Latino construction laborers doing cleanup and reconstruction. 

Methods: Over seven months the program delivered a 2-hour Spanish language hazard awareness training to 503 workers and provided them with a comprehensive set of personal protective equipment (PPE) including a half-face respirator, steel-toed boots, N95 masks, work gloves, and hard hats. Training included respirator fit-testing with medical clearance. A follow up telephone survey conducted with a sample of the trained workers, enumerated the type of work tasks performed, the use of the training and PPE, and work-related health issues.

Results: Among a sample of 260 trained workers, 191 (73%) responded to the survey and 48% worked in areas affected by Sandy in the three months following the training. The Sandy workers reported using the majority of the equipment over 80% of the time, and all the equipment around 50% of the time. 40% reported raising safety and health issues with their employer, 30% reported refusing a job or task because it was unsafe and 80% reported raising issues with coworkers. 20% experienced some type of workplace-related injury, of whom half sought medical attention.

Discussion: Providing training and PPE through community-based organizations to immigrant construction laborers following disasters is an effective method for reaching a high risk population. Future preparedness efforts should include building capacity among these organizations.