Perceptions of American health and safety professionals regarding the impact of North American Free Trade Agreements on health and safety: NAFTA and the USMCA

Beginning in 1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) interlinked the economies of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. However, while previous work has demonstrated that the labor provisions of NAFTA were not successful in protecting workers, there is limited information on the perspectives of stakeholders responsible for managing workplace health and safety. Therefore, this research study seeks to understand the perceptions of American health and safety professionals (stakeholders) regarding NAFTA and its successor organization, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Aims of this study include 1) explore general perceptions of the health and safety policies applicable to the global playing field, and the resulting safety behaviors demonstrated by stakeholders; 2) understand perceptions of stakeholders regarding their global training and certification and 3) assess the perceptions of practices of stakeholders with respect to the health and safety obligations of North American free trade agreements. To gather this information, a 47-question online survey modified from the International Labour Organization was administered to 347 self-identified American health and safety professionals. Our results indicate that while North American free trade agreements have positively influenced stakeholders’ mindsets and ways of thinking, there is a general lack of knowledge and understanding among stakeholders regarding the health and safety provisions of North American free trade agreements. The results of this work can provide insight to future policymakers who craft these free trade agreements such that they become an instrument for the harmonization and implementation of globally acceptable health and safety standards.