Workforce Language Services

The higher rate of workplace deaths for Latinos than for all other racial and ethnic categories has been well-documented.  But South Carolina has the highest rate of workplace deaths in the nation, 23 workers out of 100,000.  Compare this to Oklahoma’s death rate, which is second highest with 10 Latinos out of 100,000 losing their lives on the job.

The disparity is attributed to the newness and explosive growth of the Spanish-speaking immigrant population:

Hispanic workers’ growing presence in the workplace has likely led to a communications and training disconnect, making workplace conditions more treacherous than in other states, Lacy said.

“There’s a lot we have to learn when we move somewhere new,” she said. “Imagine moving to a different country and having to learn (different workplace rules), with everything in a different language.”

States with a longer history of immigration likely have a better, safer workplace system in place, Lacy said. In California, for example, Hispanic workers who work alongside more experienced Spanish-speaking workers might find it easier to learn how to operate a piece of machinery or the safest way to climb a ladder, Lacy said.

Also, Hispanic workers who are migrating to South Carolina are coming mainly from southeastern Mexico, a part of the country where, traditionally, fewer residents have crossed the U.S. border for work, Lacy said. Since the concept of immigration is newer there, that might also lead to a disconnect.

“If you’re coming from an area of Mexico that doesn’t have a long history of immigration, you’re not going to have a lot of information about working or living in the U.S.,” Lacy said.

To read more about this unfortunate phenomenon and steps taken to remedy the situation, click here.