Occupational Health in the Dairy Industry Needs to Focus on Immigrant Workers, the New Normal

Faced with increasing industrialization, high demands on production, and decreasing domestic participation in the labor force, dairy producers are employing an immigrant workforce to help meet operational demands. There is little data regarding the number of immigrant workers in the dairy industry, but the trend of hiring immigrant workers in some of the world’s highest producing countries is increasing. There are many challenges associated with managing immigrant workers includinghow to effectively train this workforce about safe and efficient work methods. Methods: Ethnographic methods from the anthropology field served as the primary tool to identify barriers and facilitators of safe work practices in large-herd dairy operations in the United States. Following the weeklong emersion by the research anthropologist at a selected dairy, focus groups were organized at three large-herd dairies. All focus group conversations were tape recorded, transcribed and translated into English. The focus group transcripts were coded for specific themes related to issues that participants felt were barriers or facilitators of worker health and safety. Results: Twenty-two Latino workers 18 to 58 years of age participated in the three focus groups conducted at one Colorado and two South Dakota dairies. Six major themes relating to barriers and facilitators of worker health and safety were identified and included: communication, integration owner and worker cultures, work organization, leadership, support for animal health, and attention to safety culture within the organization. Conclusions: Although not often considered by agricultural engineers, an anthropological perspective to challenges involving an immigrant workforce may assist with improved work methods and safe work practices. Through this approach, agricultural engineers may better understand the cultural challenges and complexities facing the dairy industry. Successful integration of immigrant workers relies not only on cultural awareness but also the ability to integrate cultural knowledge, beliefs, values, and traditions into management and work practices.

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Occupational Health and Safety of Immigrant Workers in Italy and Spain: A Scoping Review

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16224416 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (22) ◽

pp. 4416 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Cecilia Arici ◽

Elena Ronda-Pérez ◽

Tishad Tamhid ◽

Katsiaryna Absekava ◽

Stefano Porru

Keyword(s):

Occupational Health ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Access To Health Care ◽

Occupational Injuries ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Occupational Health And Safety ◽

Warning Signs ◽

Immigrant Workers ◽

Quantitative Methodology ◽

Occupational Risk Factors

The main aim of the present study was to summarize the available literature on the topic of occupational health and safety (OH&S) among immigrant workers (IMWs) in Italy and Spain. We conducted a scoping review, searching Medline, Social Sciences Citation Index, PsycINFO, CINAHL Plus, SciELO, and EMBASE for peer-reviewed articles, published in English, Italian, or Spanish, between 1999–2018. 34 studies were included, 28 with quantitative methodology and 6 with qualitative. Main findings were that, compared to natives, IMWs in Italy and Spain showed higher prevalence of low-skilled jobs and of perceived discrimination at work; higher physical demands, poorer environmental working conditions, and more exposure to occupational risks (e.g., ergonomic and psychosocial hazards); a greater risk of occupational injuries; worse general and mental health; and a plausible worsening of their health status, especially in Spain, as a result of the economic crisis. The findings of the present scoping review constitute warning signs that indicate the need for a holistic global response to ensure that adverse OH&S outcomes among IMWs workers are improved and that equitable access to health care is guaranteed. Such a response will require a concrete and evidence-based approach to prevent and monitor occupational risk factors and associated outcomes in the workplaces.

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Immigrant Workers in the United States : Recent Trends, Vulnerable Populations, and Challenges for Occupational Health

AAOHN Journal ◽

10.1177/216507990505300706 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 53 (7) ◽

pp. 313-319 ◽

Cited By ~ 60

Author(s):

Linda A. McCauley

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Occupational Health ◽

Vulnerable Populations ◽

The United States ◽

Immigrant Workers ◽

Recent Trends

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Evolution of microbiological analytical methods for dairy industry needs

Frontiers in Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fmicb.2014.00016 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Danièle Sohier ◽

Sonia Pavan ◽

Armelle Riou ◽

Jérôme Combrisson ◽

Florence Postollec

Keyword(s):

Analytical Methods ◽

Dairy Industry ◽

Industry Needs

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Health disparities of Latino immigrant workers in the United States

International Journal of Migration Health and Social Care ◽

10.1108/ijmhsc-06-2014-0024 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 282-298 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Adam Hege ◽

Quirina M. Vallejos ◽

Yorghos Apostolopoulos ◽

Michael Kenneth Lemke

Keyword(s):

Health Disparities ◽

Occupational Health ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Intervention Programs ◽

Immigrant Workers ◽

Systems Science ◽

Content Type ◽

Latino Immigrant ◽

The Usa ◽

Latino Immigrant Workers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the literature pertaining to occupational health disparities experienced by Latino immigrant workers in the USA and to advance a general framework based on systems science to inform epidemiological and intervention research. Design/methodology/approach – Using papers and other sources from 2000 to the present, the authors examined the employment conditions and health outcomes of Latino immigrant workers and critically analyzed the pervasive evidence of health disparities, including causal mechanisms and associated intervention programs. Findings – The occupations, including the work environment and resultant living conditions, frequently performed by Latino immigrants in the USA represent a distinct trigger of increased injury risk and poor health outcomes. Extant intervention programs have had modest results at best and are in need of more comprehensive approaches to address the complex nature of health disparities. Practical implications – An integrated, systems-based framework concerning occupational health disparities among Latino immigrant workers allows for a holistic approach encompassing innovative methods and can inform high-leverage interventions including public policy. Originality/value – Reductionist approaches to health disparities have had significant limitations and miss the complete picture of the many influences. The framework the authors have provided elucidates a valuable method for reducing occupational health disparities among Latino immigrant workers as well as other populations.

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