A recent study by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) reveals a disturbing trend in workplace safety for Latino workers in the United States. According to the report, Latinos are 24% more likely to die in workplace accidents compared to the rest of the population, highlighting a significant racial disparity in occupational hazards.
The study, titled “Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect, 2024,” found that 1,248 Hispanics died on the job in 2022. Alarmingly, 60% of these fatalities were immigrants. The construction industry, where Latinos make up about two-thirds of the workforce, accounts for a disproportionate number of deaths despite employing only 5% of workers in some states.
Fred Redmond, secretary of the AFL-CIO, emphasized the urgent need to address this crisis, stating, “The fact that Latino and Black workers continue to die on the job at disproportionate rates is evidence of employers’ failure to protect them.” The report also highlighted that Black workers experienced their highest number of workplace fatalities in 15 years.
Factors contributing to this disparity include the higher mortality rate among self-employed workers, who are often not covered by safety regulations, and the fear of job loss among immigrant workers who may hesitate to report unsafe conditions. AFL-CIO President Liz Schuler called the disparities “unacceptable” and symptomatic of deep-seated racial inequity.
As the issue gains attention, there is growing pressure on both companies and the government to implement stricter safety measures and enhance protections for vulnerable workers. The upcoming presidential elections may prove crucial in addressing this alarming trend and reducing racial disparities in workplace safety.
See “Latinos are 24% more likely to die in workplace accidents than the rest of the population” (May 26, 2024)
