Lay summary
Meat processing is a hazardous work environment with multiple health risks. Pacific peoples are overrepresented in this industry with high rates of injury and work-related harm. Little research has investigated the occupational health and exposures experienced by Pacific meatworkers, particularly in rural settings. While a small amount of individual level data exists, the nature and magnitude of this injury/illness and exposure has not previously been characterised and quantified. Furthermore, no instruments currently exist for undertaking this assessment among rural Pacific workers. This grant will support Dr Jane Taafaki, an emerging rural Pacific health researcher, to develop her research platform in situating health services to respond to the health needs of rural Pacific workers more effectively, and their āiga (families).
The research that will be undertaken aims to develop an instrument suitable for determining the nature and magnitude of musculoskeletal and associated health impact for Pasifika working in rural meat processing.