The Emerging Workforce of International University Student Workers: Injury Experience in an Australian University

Yahya Thamrin, Dino Pisaniello, Cally Guerin and Paul Rothmore
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Yahya Thamrin: Department of Occupational Safety and Health, Faculty of Public Health, Hasanuddin University, Makassar 90245, Indonesia
Dino Pisaniello: School of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
Cally Guerin: Faculty of Arts, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia
Paul Rothmore: School of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-9

Abstract: International university students are a growing section of the workforce and are thought to be at greater risk of injury. Qualitative studies have highlighted vulnerabilities, but there is a shortage of quantitative research exploring the injury experience and associated risk factors of this emerging issue. In this study, a total of 466 university student workers across a range of study programs in a single Australian university completed an online survey, with questions relating to their background, working experience, training and injury experience. Risk factors for injury were explored in a multivariate statistical model. More than half had not received any safety training before they started work, and 10% reported having had a work injury. About half of these injuries occurred after training. Statistically significant risk factors for injury included working more than 20 h per week (adjusted odds ratio 2.20 (95% CI 1.03–4.71) and lack of confidence in discussing safety issues (AOR 2.17; 95% CI 1.13–4.16). The findings suggest the need for a more engaging and effective approach to safety education and a limit on working hours. This situation is a moral challenge for universities, in that they are effectively sponsoring young workers in the community. It is recommended that longitudinal studies of international student workers be conducted.

Keywords: international students; university; worker; injury; risk factor (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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