Recruits Needed for Study into Workplace Injuries

February 21st, 2012

A unique study into accidents and injuries among migrant workers in Perth is looking for volunteers to help them investigate why people who were not born in Australia face more hazards at work than their colleagues.

"Even though one quarter of our population was born overseas, there is no other research body in Australia doing this kind of study," said Associate Professor Alison Reid, who is with the Epidemiology group at the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR).

"Studies in Canada, the United States and Europe have shown that migrant workers have higher rates of accidents and injuries, but we don't know why," she said. "We are interested in talking to people about physical risks such as exposure to chemicals or asbestos, for example, but also psycho-social hazards in the workplace including the stresses which arise from racism, bullying and job insecurity."

WAIMR Researcher, Cema Santos, who is running the study, says volunteers will be asked to fill in a questionnaire and will also be asked questions in focus groups about their perceptions of risk in the workplace.

"I'd like to speak to men and women born in Africa, Asia, Middle East and Latin America," she said. "Volunteers need to be aged between 18 and 70 and be employed, even if it's on a casual basis. They must also speak English."

"We realise that recruits to the study will need to go to work, so we are flexible about meeting times and we can even travel to visit different communities for meetings in the evening. Our focus groups last for an hour and a half and we will serve refreshments."

If you would like to join the study, or have questions, please phone Cema on 9346 1514 or email cema.santos@waimr.uwa.edu.au.

For more information please contact:
Carolyn Monaghan
Communications Manager
Mobile: 0448 021 932 (media enquiries only)
Office: (08) 9224 0377
Email: carolyn.monaghan@waimr.uwa.edu.au