WORKER HEALTH
Worker Health: Building a Healthier Workforce, Together
What is Worker Health?
Worker health is an area of public health that ensures workers in all occupations enjoy the “highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being” (World Health Organization, n.d.)
High-Level Challenges:
Hazardous Exposures:
Many jobs involve hazardous exposures, including physical labor, chemical exposure such as pesticides and solvents, and dangerous machinery, according to the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Common Workplace Struggles:
Many workers face challenges on the job, including diseases and injuries like COVID-19, poor ergonomics (workspaces or tools not designed for safety and comfort), musculoskeletal disorders, cuts, abrasions, stress, traumatic injuries, occupational cancer, reproductive health issues, and workplace violence, according to Salud America.
Gaps in Safety Training:
Gaps in safety and prevention training are often due to language barriers or employer negligence, with insufficient use of protective equipment increasing the risk of injury, as noted in NIOSH’s research on diverse workforce safety.
Why This Issue Is Important to Latinos
The Latino community makes up an increasingly significant portion of the U.S. workforce, driving workforce growth at a faster rate than other demographic groups nationwide and across industries. The following factors can contribute to higher rates of workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities among Latino workers. Protecting the health of Latino workers is essential for ensuring their well-being, as well as the well-being of their families and communities.
Occupational Hazards and Industry Concentration:
Latinos are overrepresented in industries with high rates of occupational injuries and illnesses, such as construction, agriculture, and manufacturing. These sectors often involve hazardous conditions, heavy lifting, and exposure to harmful chemicals. Some industries may have fewer safety regulations and minimal enforcement, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries, according to Passel and Cohn.
Socioeconomic Disadvantages:
Many Latino workers are employed in low-wage jobs with fewer benefits, including limited access to health insurance. This lack of coverage restricts access to preventive care and delays treatment for injuries or illnesses, as highlighted in a 2023 report by Pillai et al..
Language and Culture:
Language barriers can hinder access to safety information, training, and health care services, leading to misunderstandings about workplace hazards and delays in seeking treatment. Cultural beliefs may also discourage workers—especially undocumented individuals—from reporting workplace injuries or seeking medical attention, as noted by Quijano.
Discrimination and Bias:
Discrimination and bias in the workplace can result in unfair treatment, harassment, and hostile environments, negatively impacting mental health and overall well-being, according to Kent.
Addressing these issues requires a multi-faceted approach that involves improving workplace safety regulations, increasing access to health care, promoting cultural competence in health care settings, and combating discrimination and bias.
Data: Key Statistics
Latino Workers: Employment & Health Coverage
- 78% of net new workers between 2020 and 2030 are projected to be Hispanic.
(Source: Dubina, 2021) - Foreign-born Latinx workers are more likely to suffer a fatal job injury compared to U.S.-born Latinx workers.
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, n.d.) - Meat and poultry processing, one of the most dangerous industries in the U.S., is staffed predominantly by Hispanic workers, many of whom are foreign-born.
(Source: Stuesse & Dollar, 2020)
Health Insurance Disparities:
Job-based health insurance is offered to:
- 87% of non-Hispanic white citizen workers
- Only 50% of Latino immigrant workers
(Source: Ku, 2006)
According to CDC data (2022):
Only 37.8% of working-age U.S. Hispanics have employment-based health insurance.
- In contrast:
- 43.6% of non-Hispanic Black workers
- 63% of non-Hispanic Asian workers
- 66% of non-Latinx white workers
Uninsured rates:
- 21.7% of U.S. Hispanics had no health insurance coverage at all, compared to:
- 10.9% of non-Hispanic Black workers
- 6.6% of non-Hispanic white workers
- 5% of non-Hispanic Asian workers
(Source: Cha & Cohen, 2022)
Programming, Policies & Recommendations
Current Policies
Note: These are existing policies we’ve compiled that are related to Worker Health.
Policy and Programmatic Recommendations
Data-driven solutions to further minimize infectious disease spread among U.S. Latinos.
Programmatic Recommendations:
- OSHA’s Spanish Training Resources:
- Develop and enforce IPC protocols that include standard precautions, transmission-based precautions, and environmental cleaning.
- Local community/colleges vocational schools:
- Partner to offer low-cost or free OSHA 10/30-hour training courses in Spanish. Many have existing safety programs that can be adapted.
- Consulates/Embassies:
- Collaborate with consulates to reach their citizens working in high-risk industries. They often have community outreach programs, such as Ventanillas de Salud.
- Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Environmental Justice Resources:
- Utilize EPA information on environmental hazards in communities. Partner with community-based organizations to identify and address local environmental health concerns.
- Mental Health First Aid:
- Offer Mental Health First Aid in Spanish with instructors who are culturally competent and understand the specific stressors faced by the Latino/Hispanic community. Incorporate discussions about cultural stigma surrounding mental health and how to access culturally appropriate care.
- Centro de los Derechos del Migrante: epartment Utilization
- Develop and integrate CHW programs within healthcare systems serving underserved communities. CHWs can provide culturally competent education, support chronic disease management, and address social determinants of health, thereby reducing unnecessary ED visits.
Policy Recommendations:
By Centros de los Derechos de Migrantes
Enforcement and Oversight
Increase preventive workplace inspections and citations.
OSHA emphasizes the importance of proactive inspections to prevent injuries (OSHA).
Expand OSHA’s enforcement capacity and improve language access.
OSHA’s 2022 report highlights the need for more resources and language services to address workplace hazards effectively (OSHA).
Empower OSHA to shut down hazardous workplaces without court approval.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act allows OSHA to address imminent dangers, and expanding this power could speed up responses (OSHA).
Strengthen oversight of subcontractors, temp agencies, and joint employers.
The Department of Labor calls for comprehensive regulations to ensure worker safety across all employment sectors (DOL).
Strictly enforce child labor laws in hazardous industries.
The Department of Labor enforces child labor protections under the Fair Labor Standards Act to keep minors safe in high-risk jobs (DOL).
Worker Rights and Protections
Strengthen whistleblower protections for undocumented and immigrant workers.
The Department of Labor highlights the need for inclusive measures to protect all workers, regardless of immigration status (DOL).
Ensure discrimination protections for all workers, regardless of immigration status.
The EEOC enforces workplace discrimination laws that protect all employees (EEOC).
Allow temporary reinstatement for workers during OSHA retaliation investigations.
OSHA emphasizes the right of workers to report hazards without fear of retaliation (OSHA).
Extend OSHA’s retaliation complaint filing deadline from 30 days to one year.
Extending the statute of limitations would give workers more time to report retaliation (OSHA).
Create a private right of action for workers to bring safety and retaliation cases to court.
The NLRB supports workers’ rights to improve working conditions through legal action (NLRB).
Strengthen collective bargaining rights, especially for agricultural, domestic, and misclassified workers.
The Economic Policy Institute advocates for stronger protections to support worker organizing and safety (EPI).
Expand access to legal services for internationally recruited workers.
The Department of Labor emphasizes the importance of legal support to help workers enforce health and safety rights (DOL).
Health and Safety Standards
Align industrial design, including line speeds, with worker safety priorities.
OSHA recommends prioritizing safety over productivity in work design (OSHA).
Improve data collection on occupational accidents and injuries.
OSHA’s reports highlight the need for comprehensive data to identify and address disparities (OSHA).
Implement enforceable heat standards for indoor and outdoor workers.
OSHA is developing rules to protect workers from extreme heat (OSHA).
Strengthen standards for worker education and chemical hazard protection.
OSHA requires employers to provide safety training and protect workers from known hazards (OSHA).
Access to Benefits and Support
Provide paid, job-protected medical and family leave for all workers, including seasonal and migrant workers.
The American Academy of Pediatrics advocates for paid family leave to improve health outcomes (MarketWatch).
Reform state workers’ compensation systems to protect injured workers, including those returning to their home countries.
The Department of Labor’s OWCP supports reforms to strengthen worker protections (DOL).
Ensure internationally recruited workers have access to health care, mental health services, and other benefits across borders.
(CDM, n.d.)
Develop alternatives to guestworker programs that promote job mobility, non-discrimination, and whistleblower protections.
The Center for American Progress supports policies that enhance worker rights and protections (American Progress).
Call to Action: Get Involved
Worker health is crucial for a thriving workforce and a strong economy.
Investing in worker health isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s a smart economic decision. By prioritizing worker well-being, we can create safer workplaces, reduce injuries, and support the health of Latino workers and their families.
🎓 Educate Yourself
- Understand Workplace Safety Laws: Learn about OSHA standards, industry-specific regulations, and labor laws that protect workers.
- Stay Informed: Follow news and research on worker health, occupational diseases, and workplace injuries.
- Learn About Vulnerable Populations: Explore the unique challenges faced by immigrant workers, low-wage earners, and those in high-risk industries.
🤝 Support Worker Organizations
- Volunteer Your Time: Support worker advocacy groups fighting for safer workplaces and fair labor practices.
- Donate: Contribute to organizations that promote worker health through research, education, and policy advocacy.
- Stay Connected: Sign up for newsletters or action alerts from worker advocacy organizations to stay engaged.
📢 Advocate for Policy Change
- Contact Your Elected Officials: Write letters, make phone calls, or attend town halls to advocate for worker health.
- Support Pro-Worker Legislation: Back policies that strengthen workplace safety, improve healthcare access, and ensure fair labor practices.
Helpful resource: Plural Policy for tracking legislation. - Participate in Public Hearings: Share your voice during public comment periods on regulations affecting worker health.
🏢 Start Within Your Own Organization
- Conduct Anonymous Surveys: Assess employee well-being, stress levels, mental health needs, and work-life balance.
- Form a Health Committee: Champion initiatives that promote worker safety, mental health, and overall well-being.
- Promote Transparent Communication: Gather feedback regularly and involve employees in decision-making.
- Stay Updated: Keep pace with best practices in workplace wellness and evolving industry trends.
Change starts with action. Whether you’re advocating for policy change, supporting an organization, or fostering a healthier workplace, your involvement makes a difference.
Partners and Resources for Families & Workers
🤝 Our Core Partners
Centro de los Derechos del Migrante (CDM)
Advocating for the rights of migrant workers across borders.
At LUCHAR, our partnership with CDM is central to our mission of protecting worker health and rights. Together, we champion policies and programs that address workplace abuses, promote safety, and empower Latino workers. Through CDM’s leadership in worker advocacy, we strengthen our collective impact on communities nationwide.
Ventanillas de Salud (VDS)
Promoting health and well-being for Mexican communities in the U.S.
Our collaboration with Ventanillas de Salud has allowed us to reach Latino families and workers across the country. Through VDS’s extensive network, we provide culturally relevant health education, resources, and services to underserved communities, bridging gaps in healthcare access and support.
🌍 Additional Resources for Families & Workers
While our core work is in partnership with CDM, we also connect families and workers to a broader network of organizations offering support, advocacy, and resources. These organizations work tirelessly to protect and advance worker rights across industries.
Worker Advocacy & Rights
Alianza Nacional de Campesinas: This organization empowers farmworker women, advocating for their rights and addressing issues such as gender-based violence and workplace harassment.
Contratados.org: a groundbreaking workers’ rights initiative to investigate and uncover the actors and processes in low-wage labor recruitment along the Mexico-U.S. migrant stream. With Contratados.org, workers can share their experiences and review their recruiters and employers to prevent recruitment workplace abuses.
Farmworker Justice: Advocates for the rights of farmworkers.
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement: Represents Latino workers and advocates for their rights.
National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON): Works to improves the lives of day laborers, migrants and low-wage workers.
United Farm Workers: Labor union that advocates for the rights of farm workers in the United States.
The National Immigration Law Center: Home: Works to protect and advance the rights of immigrants with low income. Provides legal resources and policy analysis.
Health and Safety Resources
Migrant Clinicians Network: This organization focuses on health justice for migrant and underserved populations, providing clinical support, advocacy, and resources to address health disparities.
National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH): Dedicated to improving the health of farmworker families, NCFH provides essential services, training, and resources to support this vulnerable population.
National Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (COSH): Leading the fight for safe and healthy workplaces, National COSH is a network of grassroots groups advocating for worker rights and protection.
NIOSH Centers of Excellence for Total Worker Health: These centers promote a holistic approach to worker health and well-being, addressing physical, mental, and social factors that impact worker health.
References
Click here to review all relevant references:
Banuelos, K. n.d. Workplace Discrimination and Undocumented First-Generation Latinx. Crown Family School of Social Work, University of Chicago. https://crownschool.uchicago.edu/student-life/advocates-forum/workplace-discrimination-and-undocumented-first-generation-latinx
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). n.d. Fatal Work Injuries to Hispanic or Latino Workers. https://www.bls.gov/charts/census-of-fatal-occupational-injuries/fatal-work-injuries-to-hispanic-or-latino-workers.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2017. Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2016. National Health Statistics Reports, No. 77. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr177.pdf
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). n.d. Workplace Safety and Health Topics. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/default.html
Centro de los Derechos del Migrante Inc (CDM). n.d. 1 Million in Penalties for Employers: A Step in the Right Direction, but Still a Long Way to Go. https://cdmigrante.org/1-million-in-penalties-for-employers-a-step-in-the-right-direction-but-still-a-long-way-to-go/
Cha, A., & Cohen, R. A. 2022, November 3. Demographic Variation in Health Insurance Coverage: United States 2021. National Health Statistics Report. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr177.pdf
Dubina, K. 2021, September 15. Hispanics in the Labor Force: 5 Facts. U.S. Department of Labor Blog. https://blog.dol.gov/2021/09/15/hispanics-in-the-labor-force-5-facts
Flynn, M. A. 2014. Safety & the Diverse Workforce: Lessons From NIOSH’s Work With Latino Immigrants. Professional Safety, 59(6), 52–57. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4641045/
Kent, O. 2024, April 8. How Workplace Discrimination Affects Our Being and What We Can Do About It. Psychreg. https://www.psychreg.org/how-workplace-discrimination-affects-mental-well-being-what-we-can-do-about-it/
Ku, L. 2006, September 1. Why Immigrants Lack Adequate Access to Health Care and Health Insurance. Migration Policy Institute. https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/why-immigrants-lack-adequate-access-health-care-and-health-insurance
Migration Policy Institute. 2020, January. An Alternative Model for Labor Migration. https://migrationthatworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/alternative-model-for-labor-migration.pdf
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). n.d. https://www.osha.gov/
Passel, S. J., & Cohn, D. 2016, November 3. Industries of Unauthorized Immigrant Workers. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/race-and-ethnicity/2016/11/03/industries-of-unauthorized-immigrant-workers/
Pillai, D., & Artiga, S. 2023, October 26. Health and Health Care in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region. Kaiser Family Foundation. https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/issue-brief/health-and-health-care-in-the-u-s-mexico-border-region/
Pillai, D., Artiga, S., Hamel, L., Schumacher, S., Kirzinger, A., Presiado, M., & Kearney, A. 2023, September 17. Health and Health Care Experiences of Immigrants: The 2023 KFF/LA Times Survey of Immigrants. Kaiser Family Foundation. https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/issue-brief/health-and-health-care-experiences-of-immigrants-the-2023-kff-la-times-survey-of-immigrants/
Quijano, J. n.d. Workplace Discrimination and Undocumented First-Generation Latinx Immigrants. The University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. https://crownschool.uchicago.edu/student-life/advocates-forum/workplace-discrimination-and-undocumented-first-generation-latinx
Stuesse, A., & Dollar, N. T. 2020, September 24. Who Are America’s Meat and Poultry Workers? Economic Policy Institute. https://www.epi.org/blog/meat-and-poultry-worker-demographics/
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. n.d. Empowering Latino Workers and Employers Through Health and Safety Initiatives. https://news.cuanschutz.edu/coloradosph/empowering-latino-workers-and-employers-through-health-and-safety-initiatives
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. n.d. Fatal Work Injuries to Hispanic or Latino Workers. https://www.bls.gov/charts/census-of-fatal-occupational-injuries/fatal-work-injuries-to-hispanic-or-latino-workers.htm
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). n.d. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/benefits-leave/fmla
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). n.d. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa
Wilson, C. 2024, June 3. Latinos Have Some of the Most Dangerous Jobs in the US. Salud America! https://salud-america.org/latinos-have-some-of-the-most-dangerous-jobs-in-the-us/
World Health Organization. n.d. Occupational Health. https://www.who.int/health-topics/occupational-health