Occupational Safety and English Language Proficiency

Recent occupational injury data shows a rising trend, which happens to coincide with both increases in the foreign-born population
in the U.S. and changes in its composition. This study aims to explore the presence of a statistical relationship between
occupational injuries and the level of English proficiency of foreign-born using cross-sectional data on the rate of injury
and count of injury incidents. A cultural gap hypothesis is also examined as an alternative explanation for the rise in work
injuries. While there is some support for the adverse effect of inadequate English language proficiency of foreign-born, the
results for the cultural gap hypothesis are more robust.