The Most Important Thing is to Know What to Wear When Working in the Sun.

Abstract

Objective: Crop workers face increasingly hot working conditions. Wearing light-colored, single-layer breathable clothing and wide-brimmed hats, on top of having water, rest, and shade, can reduce the risk of heat illness among crop workers. Clothing preferences and limited access may prevent crop workers from wearing optimal work apparel. However, little is known about crop workers' workplace clothing preferences or their clothing acquisition barriers (e.g., access to retailers, cost). This qualitative study aimed to document Spanish-speaking crop workers' ideal work clothing and understand the primary barriers that prevent them from wearing clothing that reduces heat-related illness risk.

Methods: Four focus groups were conducted in Spanish on vegetable farms in Colorado during August and September 2023. Two researchers thematically analyzed qualitative focus group data.

Results: There were 54 Spanish-speaking crop workers who participated in focus groups during August and September 2023. Findings show participants know which work clothing options protect from heat-related illnesses. Participants purchased their work clothes primarily at second-hand stores. They preferred clothes made of light but durable materials and complete pieces that cover the head, neck, and trunk with long sleeves and pants that facilitate movement. Barriers to wearing worker-defined ideal clothing described include costs and the difficulty in finding the specific style of clothing at their preferred retail outlets. Participants described an interest in partnering with employers to purchase ideal clothing to prevent heat-related illness.

Conclusion: Spanish-speaking crop workers have a clear understanding of ideal work clothing and the link between clothing and heat illnesses prevention. However, based on thematic analysis of focus groups with crop workers in Colorado, cost and access to ideal clothing are the biggest barriers. Strategies that facilitate access to appropriate clothing for working in hot environments and involvement of employers in apparel choice are potential methods to promote worker safety and reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses among agricultural farmworkers.