Partnering to promote workplace safety and health in tribal communities
By Liz Dalsey
Over 5.2 million American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) live across the United States. In 2013, approximately 1,319,000 AI/AN workers were employed in the U.S. workforce1,2. AI/AN workers are 42 percent more likely to be employed in a high-risk occupation (defined as an occupation where the injury and illness rate is more than twice the national average) as compared to non-Hispanic Whites.3 National data on occupational injuries, illnesses and fatalities among AI/AN are scarce and there is limited research on worker safety and health in tribal communities.