Hard-to-Reach, Not Hard-to-Protect: Preliminary Results from a Scoping Review of Effective Safety Messaging for Im/migrant Workforces

Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center 

Nearly 20% of the U.S. workforce is foreign-born, with a disproportionate number employed in high-risk industries with frequent occupational exposures. Traditional health and safety communication strategies may not effectively reach or resonate with im/migrant worker communities. This scoping review identifies which communication channels and messaging approaches most effectively convey workplace exposure information to this underserved and hard-to-reach worker population. Preliminary findings suggest participatory, culturally tailored, and peer-led strategies outperform passive materials, particularly in agriculture, construction, and day labor sectors. Key barriers include language, trust, and legal vulnerability. These findings provide practical insights for occupational and environmental health and safety professionals seeking to improve risk communication and advance workplace health equity.

R. L. Thompson, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, NY, USA

R. Piltch-Loeb, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, NY, USA

B. Pavilonis, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, NY, USA 

We consulted our institution’s librarian (R. Farrell, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, NY, USA) to assist with building our search strings based on the research question, sub-questions, and Population-Concept-Context Question outline. Funding was provided by the NYC Preparedness & Recovery Institute.

References:
BLS. (2025). Foreign-Born Workers: Labor Force Characteristics—2024 (No. USDL-25-0847). U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Castillo, J. (2023, October). Fatal Injuries to Foreign-Born Hispanic or Latino Workers: Spotlight on Statistics: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/spotlight/2023/workplace-fatalities-among-foreign-born-hispanic-workers/home.htm
Gany, F., Novo, P., Dobslaw, R., & Leng, J. (2014). Urban occupational health in the Mexican and Latino/Latina immigrant population: A literature review. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 16(5), 846–855. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-013-9806-8
Orrenius, P. M., & Zavodny, M. (2009). Do Immigrants Work In Riskier Jobs? Demography, 46(3), 535–551. https://doi.org/10.1353/dem.0.0064
Zuehlke, E. (2009, October 30). Immigrants Work in Riskier and More Dangerous Jobs in the United States. PRB. https://www.prb.org/resources/immigrants-work-in-riskier-and-more-dangerous-jobs-in-the-united-states/ 

Education and training

Emergency preparedness and response

Hazard Communication

Safety