Occupational Injuries on Thoroughbred Horse Farms: A Description of Latino and Non-Latino Workers’ Experiences

Jennifer E. Swanberg, Jessica M. Clouser, Susan C. Westneat, Mary W. Marsh and Deborah B. Reed
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Jennifer E. Swanberg: School of Social Work, University of Maryland, 525 West Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
Jessica M. Clouser: College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, 151 Washington Ave., Lexington, KY 40506, USA
Susan C. Westneat: College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, 151 Washington Ave., Lexington, KY 40506, USA
Mary W. Marsh: College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, 151 Washington Ave., Lexington, KY 40506, USA
Deborah B. Reed: College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, 315 College of Nursing Bldg., Lexington, KY 40506, USA

IJERPH, 2013, vol. 10, issue 12, 1-17

Abstract: Animal production is a dangerous industry and increasingly reliant on a Latino workforce. Within animal production, little is known about the risks or the occupational hazards of working on farms involved in various aspects of thoroughbred horse breeding. Extant research suggests that horse workers are at risk of musculoskeletal and respiratory symptoms, kicks, and other injuries. However, limited known research has examined the experiences of the industry’s workers, including immigrant workers, despite their prominence and increased vulnerability. Using data collected from thoroughbred farm representatives via a phone-administered survey, a 2-hour face-to-face semi-structured interview, and farm injury logs, this article identifies and describes types of injuries experienced by workers (N = 284) and their surrounding circumstances. Results indicate that general injuries and musculoskeletal strains, sprains, and tears account for a majority of injuries among workers on thoroughbred farms. Upper limbs and extremities are most frequently injured, while direct contact with the horse accounted for over half of all injuries. No differences in the diagnoses or distribution of injury were found by ethnicity; however, Latinos were more often struck by or trampled by a horse while non-Latinos were more often injured by an insect or plant. Implications and opportunities for future research are discussed.

Keywords: worker injury; occupational health; Latino workers; agriculture; occupational safety; immigrant workers; horse-related injuries (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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