McConnell, C W; Gloeckner, G and Gilley, J (2006) Predictors of work injuries: A quantitative exploration of level of english proficiency as a predictor of work injuries in the construction industry. International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 2(1), pp. 3-28. ISSN 1557-8771
Abstract
Both labor shortages and language barriers are present in some areas of the construction industry. These issues translate into higher than average accident and death rates seen among workers of Hispanic origin and the possible confounding effect of a language barrier. In order to address these concerns, an instrument was developed to identify the level of English proficiency. This was compared to injuries sustained on the job in the last 30 days. Participants were ranked on their level of English proficiency, and then divided into two groups. The middle group of predominately bilingual individuals was removed in order to maximize any differences between the two groups. The two groups were then compared based on the different independent variables identified in the research questions, as well as other possible relationships of interest as identified in the auxiliary findings. The overall findings of this research indicate no significant differences in work injuries when based on level of English proficiency. The study revealed the greater the English proficiency; the greater the likelihood a person would experience an injury. This contradicts some findings in the literature identifying Spanish speaking individuals as having a higher accident rate than their more English speaking counterparts.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | English proficiency; injury; safety |
| Index terms: | exploration, injury, construction industry, labour shortage, independent variable |
| Subjects: | health conditions and diseases, statistical analysis, industry analysis, economics, environmental resource management |
| Topics: | Supply Chain Management, Health and Safety, Sustainability, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 CTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here