National Conference on Occupational Health and Safety Issues Affecting Minority Workers

摘要

The proceedings of the National Conference on Occupational Health and Safety Issues Affecting Minority Workers held in July 1981 are presented. The need for monitoring occupational safety and health by government agencies is discussed. It is noted that industrial operations cause about 100,000 deaths per year. The difference in the performance of Blacks and Caucasians on forced vital capacity (FVC) and other pulmonary function tests is considered. The differences in the incidence of cancer and cancer survival rates between Blacks and Caucasians are discussed. It is suggested that socioeconomic factors rather than race are more important in affecting cancer survival. Specific types of occupational diseases are described. The historical development of worker's compensation programs is discussed. It is noted that 53 percent of the income for severly disabled workers comes from Social Security and only 5 percent from Worker's Compensation. Discrimination based on the presence of the sickle cell trait is discussed. Recommendations for improving the status of minority workers are presented.