Differences in safety training among smaller and larger construction firms with non-native workers: Evidence of overlapping vulnerabilities

Abstract

Collaborative efforts between the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) led to a report focusing on overlapping occupational vulnerabilities, specifically small construction businesses employing young, non-native workers. Following the report, an online survey was conducted by ASSE with construction business representatives focusing on training experiences of non-native workers. Results were grouped by business size (50 or fewer employees or more than 50 employees). Smaller businesses were less likely to employ a supervisor who speaks the same language as immigrant workers (p < .001). Non-native workers in small businesses received fewer hours of both initial safety training (p = .005) and monthly ongoing safety training (p = .042). Immigrant workers in smaller businesses were less likely to receive every type of safety training identified in the survey (including pre-work safety orientation [p < .001], job-specific training [p < .001], OSHA 10-hour training [p = .001], and federal/state required training [p < .001]). The results highlight some of the challenges a vulnerable worker population faces in a small business, and can be used to better focus intervention efforts. Among businesses represented in this sample, there are deflcits in the amount, frequency, and format of workplace safety and health training provided to non-native workers in smaller construction businesses compared to those in larger businesses. The types of training conducted for non-native workers in small business were less likely to take into account the language and literacy issues faced by these workers. The findings suggest the need for a targeted approach in providing occupational safety and health training to non-native workers employed by smaller construction businesses.

Understanding small enterprises: proceedings from the 2017 conference.

“…The results of the data analysis examining differences between small and large businesses are published elsewhere [Cunningham et al 2018], and selected results are presented here. There were 50 responses representing small businesses and 215 responses representing large businesses.…”

“…NIOSH researchers analyzed the data to further explore the training experiences of foreign-born workers in the construction industry and to identify needs for further research and interventions to protect workers experiencing overlapping vulnerabilities. The full results of the survey have been published in the journal Safety Science [Cunningham et al 2018].…”

Overlapping vulnerabilities in workers of the electronics recycling industry formal sector: A commentary

“…[19][20][21][22] They also may not fully know their rights and responsibilities regarding their occupational health and safety or how to exercise them. 23 Even when they do know their rights, they can be trapped in situations where they overlook safety measures or fail to report an incident to maintain production levels, especially for fear of reprisals. 15,24,25 For instance, immigrant or racial/ethnic minority workers are commonly referred to as vulnerable workers because they frequently find themselves disproportionately in precarious jobs.…”

Biological and environmental exposure monitoring of volatile organic compounds among nail technicians in the Greater Boston area

“…Most nail salons are small businesses, which usually provide limited knowledge and resources for health and safety, employing fewer than 10 nail technicians . Limited English language skills in some nail technicians create additional occupational health and safety barriers …”

“…Limited English language skills in some nail technicians create additional occupational health and safety barriers. 3 Nail technicians are exposed to a wide variety of chemicals during their work shift, while using products for doing manicures, pedicures, nail art, and artificial nails. Products common to the trade include those used for nail sculpting, as well as nail polishes and polish removers, which contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as toluene, acetone, isopropyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and butyl acetate.…”