Dissertation
WILDFIRE SMOKE EXPOSURE IN THE AGRICULTURAL WORKPLACE: EXPLORING WORKER AND EMPLOYER PERSPECTIVES ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
Washington State University
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
07/2024
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000007079
Abstract
Background: In the Western United States, climate change has led to more extreme heat and increased wildfire risk. Agricultural workers in Washington face heat and smoke concurrently, placing this largely Latino agricultural workforce at risk for health impacts from occupational exposures. The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (WA L & I) enacted a temporary wildfire smoke rule in 2021 and 2022 and adopted a permanent rule in 2024. The rule addresses air quality monitoring, hazard communication, symptom management, and protective controls. Implementation of the WA L & I smoke rule has yet to be evaluated. The purpose of this dissertation is to support protective workplace interventions by exploring worker and employer perspectives on occupational health during periods of wildfire smoke.
Aims: 1. Document agricultural worker experiences and perspectives on climate hazards and workplace protections. 2. Explore and compare perspectives by industry role on smoke exposure, air quality monitoring, hazard communication, symptom management, and protective controls. 3. Identify and disseminate agricultural worker strategies to monitor hazardous conditions and minimize exposure risk through intergenerational photovoice.
Methods: The multi-method research, guided by Critical Theory and the Center for Disease Control framework for policy evaluation, includes three studies: a reflexive thematic analysis describing worker experiences and perspectives during heat and smoke periods; an Exploratory Sequential Mixed Methods survey of agricultural employers and supervisors; and a photovoice study grant proposal to engage agricultural workers in sharing experiences and protective strategies related to smoke exposure and air quality monitoring.
Results: Key themes identified in the qualitative study include hazardous working conditions, lack of employer training on rules, intimidation by employers, distrust in regulatory agencies, and the need for solutions prioritizing worker health. Survey findings show exposure to wildfire smoke and related symptoms, with many workers and employers unaware of, or untrained in, smoke rules.
Significance: This research addresses systemic and structural inequities by highlighting the need for targeted training and policy compliance to protect workers from climate-related occupational hazards. Gathering diverse perspectives from multiple stakeholders emphasizes the importance of including those most impacted in the development of strategies for protective policy and action.
Metrics
3 File views/ downloads
54 Record Views
Details
- Title
- WILDFIRE SMOKE EXPOSURE IN THE AGRICULTURAL WORKPLACE
- Creators
- Molly Melinda Parker
- Contributors
- Julie Postma (Chair)Janessa M Graves (Committee Member)Lois James (Committee Member)Anna Zamora Kapoor (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- College of Nursing
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 140
- Identifiers
- 99901152437901842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation