Occupational fatalities of Hispanic construction workers from 1992 to 2000.
BACKGROUND
Hispanic construction employment has dramatically increased, yet published data on occupational risk is lacking.


METHODS
Data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and current population survey (CPS) were examined from 1992 to 2000. Fatality rate, relative risk (RR), and risk index were calculated using CFOI fatality data and CPS data on hours worked, adjusted to full-time-equivalents (FTE). Data between 1996 and 2000 were combined to allow reliable comparisons of age and occupational groups. RR and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.


RESULTS
In 2000, Hispanics constituted less than 16% of the construction workforce yet suffered 23.5% of fatal injuries. RRs were: helpers, construction trades, 2.31 (95% CI: 1.41-3.80); roofers 1.77 (95% CI: 1.38-2.28); carpenters 1.39 (95% CI: 1.08-1.79); and construction laborers 1.31 (95% CI: 1.17-1.46).


CONCLUSIONS
Hispanic construction workers consistently faced higher RRs, for every year from 1992 to 2000 and for every age group. In 2000, Hispanic construction workers were nearly twice (1.84, 95% CI: 1.60-2.10) as likely to be killed by occupational injuries as their non-Hispanic counterparts.
Dong
Xiuwen
X
The Center to Protect Workers' Rights, 8484 Georgia Ave., Suite 1000, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, USA.
Platner
James W
JW
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000401:mortality* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D006306:Health Surveys; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007750:Labor Unions; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D000078329:Workforce