Abstract
The U.S. dairy industry is increasingly relying on an immigrant workforce to help meet growing demands. Due to scant research, little is known about the factors related to workplace safety among this occupational group. The purpose of this study was to identify dairy worker perceptions of the barriers to and facilitators for enhancing workplace safety. Focus groups (FG) were conducted with 44 immigrant Latino/a workers from 2 dairies in South Dakota and 1 dairy in Colorado to gain firsthand insights into their work experiences. Interviews were conducted in Spanish, audio recorded, transcribed, and translated into English. Results were analyzed through a two-step qualitative coding process. The Contributing Factors in Accident Causation model was used as a guiding framework. Promising points of intervention identified were related to the workers, the work itself, the physical environment, equipment issues, the social–psychological environment, and management/organizational factors. Suggestions for how to improve safety outcomes in the dairy industry are provided. It is likely that the dairy industry will continue to employ a growing number of immigrant workers. Therefore, these findings have significant implications that can be used to guide the development of culturally congruent policies and practices.
Highlights
The U.S dairy industry ranks second among major world producers, supplying 14.6% of the world’s milk supply [1]
Latino/a dairy workers were eligible for participation
The remainder of the interviews focused on safety (e.g., “What does working safely around the dairy mean to you?”), including perceived importance, organizational policies and procedures, and safety training
Summary
The U.S dairy industry ranks second among major world producers, supplying 14.6% of the world’s milk supply [1]. Since the introduction of new milking technologies, the industry has shifted toward a high efficiency model with increasing herd sizes [2]. With the trend toward larger herds has come a growing reliance on an immigrant, primarily Latino/a, workforce [3]. The federal government defines Latino/a (used interchangeably with Hispanic or of “Spanish origin”) as “a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race” [4]. Estimates of immigrant Latino/a workers on U.S dairies have been reported as high as 94% [5]. Latinos/as tend to share a common set of values that are distinct from those found in mainstream American culture, including higher levels of in-group collectivism and familism
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
