Contributing factors on slips, trips, and falls among Texas shrimp fishermen

Funded by the Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention and Education 

The shrimp industry is the largest income generator of all commercial fisheries along the Gulf of Mexico. It is also the deadliest. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), shrimp fisheries along the Gulf of Mexico have had the highest number of fatalities among all types of fisheries from 2000-2009. With few exceptions, there is limited published research on occupational safety and health of commercial fishermen in the U.S. Gulf Coast. Even less is understood of the social and structural variables related to injury and death. To fully understand obstacles of workplace safety and to reduce injuries among shrimp fishermen, a community based participatory research (CBPR) project is critical for capturing cultural, social, and structural factors that influence hazards and risks among Vietnamese and Latinx fishers. Therefore, this project uses photovoice, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions in among Vietnamese and Latinx fishers in Galveston and the Rio Grande Valley to understand and decrease fatal and non-fatal injury among migrant workers.