A study by the National Safety Council (NSC) has found that not only are Blacks and Latinos most likely to be injured at work than other racial groups but that they are most reluctant to report unsafe conditions.
The study, which examines safety practices through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries among minority groups, identifies "voice suppression" as a key issue. As the study states:
Voice suppression can prove particularly harmful to employees of color, as they may already perceive their voices and opinions as less valued than the majority group. As a result of this disparity, Black and Hispanic workers report the most unease about reporting unsafe work conditions when compared to other racial and ethnic groups.
This hesitance is accentuated by concerns over income and job security which indicates that fear of losing income or employment exacerbates discomfort in reporting unsafe practices and injuries.
The report also highlights data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showing that minority groups are more likely to be employed in high-risk occupations. Specifically, 24% of Hispanics, 21% of non-Hispanic Blacks, 20% of American Indians/Alaska Natives, 22% of foreign-born workers, and 26% of workers with no more than a high school education are in jobs with high injury rates. In contrast, only 13% of white workers and 9% of workers with more than a high school education work in such high-risk fields.
To address these disparities, the NSC report recommends that companies implement improved and anonymous reporting procedures for all workers and ensure these protocols are communicated frequently. Additionally, the report suggests that companies should be mindful of jobs that require high physical exertion, awkward or sustained postures, and a fast pace, and eliminate these demands when possible.
"At the National Safety Council, we believe fostering diversity, equity and inclusion is not only a moral imperative but also essential for creating safer and healthier work environments for all," said Lorraine Martin, NSC president and CEO. "This report, which analyzes the impact of diversity, equity and inclusion on the largest category of workplace injuries, underscores our commitment to advancing equitable outcomes within the occupational safety landscape."
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