Working Safe in Aboriginal Communities

Abstract

Aboriginal enterprises work in a unique political, social and economic context. This research project was designed to assess how that unique context influenced the development and implementation of injury prevention programs in Aboriginal enterprises. We hypothesized that these contextual factors would telegraph into the workplace, both complicating and limiting the operations of occupational health and safety programs, in ways that are not found in in-Aboriginal firms. In general, we found support for this hypothesis, although we also found that these unique contextual factors were also a positive influence in some circumstances.