NH DHHS - New Report on Survey of Immigrants and Work Safety

Concord, NH – A new report is now available on a survey of immigrants in

New Hampshire and occupational health and work safety. A total of 366

individuals were asked about their jobs, injuries and illnesses, healthcare

related to these injuries and illnesses, and working conditions in general.

Twenty-nine reported being injured at work and most had never heard of

workers’ compensation.



“With the increase in immigrants in New Hampshire it is important to

understand how their experience may be different when it comes to public

health issues such as workplace safety and health,” said Dr. José Montero,

Director of Public Health at the New Hampshire Department of Health and

Human Services (DHHS). “Little data exists about occupational injury and

illness by race, ethnicity, or language so we felt it was important to

conduct this survey. This information will help inform future health

policies and programs.”



Data for the study were collected on race, ethnicity, language, level of

education, age, gender and work experience and conditions. The

questionnaires were administered in the New Hampshire Coalition for

Occupational Safety and Health (NH COSH) worker safety and health trainings

in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes. The surveys were

conducted by NH COSH staff and staff from the DHHS Division of Public

Health Services, Occupational Health Surveillance Program (OHSP). The

report was prepared by OHSP in partnership with NH COSH and the DHHS Office

of Minority Health and Refugee Affairs.



To read the entire report, go to

www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/hsdm/ohs/publications.htm