Hispanic work-related deaths climb

An increasing number of Hispanic workers are dying on the job, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Work-related fatalities in the nation were up 11 percent among Hispanics in 2004 and 2 percent overall.

Despite the increases, the total number of workplace fatalities last year was the third lowest it has been since the government began keeping records in 1992, said Shane Stephens, an economist with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

"It seems like it had been trending down from 1994 to 2002," he said. "It's gone up slightly since 2002."

North Carolina had 183 fatal work injuries in 2004, up by one from the previous year, according to the N.C. Department of Labor. Four of those deaths occurred in Orange County.

"Over the last three or four years we have had some of the fewest fatalities in North Carolina's history," said Juan Santos, communications director for the department.

But Hispanic work-related deaths in the state last year increased from 21 to 26, a trend that can be seen across the country.

"Latino workers and immigrant workers are the most at-risk in our community," said Marisol Jimenez-McGee, advocacy director for El Pueblo Inc., a Raleigh-based Latino advocacy group.

Jimenez-McGee said language difficulties, unsafe working conditions and lack of knowledge about safety procedures are all to blame.

A disproportionate number of Hispanics are employed in the construction and agriculture industries, which tend to be the most dangerous jobs, she said.

Another issue has been a lack of knowledge among Hispanics about their rights as workers.

"They are not likely to raise concerns for fear of being retaliated against," said Deborah Weinstock, an occupational safety and health specialist for the AFL-CIO.

She said many Hispanics who are injured on the job also don't realize they are entitled to compensation.

The Carrboro-based El Centro Latino organization usually helps one or two workers per week file for worker's compensation because they do not understand the process, said Ben Balderas, senior program director.

The N.C. government has attempted to address the issue of worker safety in recent years by offering free consultation, training and inspections for workplaces and making more Spanish language resources available to workers, Santos said.

Jimenez-McGee said the efforts could be increased.

"I think there have been some definite efforts on the part of the state to accommodate this growing community," she said. "But we still have a long way to go."

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