Abstract

This thesis examine work-related risk in two "risky" human service occupations: the hospital patient-attendant and the street prostitute. The research question is twofold: what elements of service work give rise to work-related risk, and what conditions impact upon the negotiation and management of occupational hazards. The rationale for comparing these two occupations lies in their similarities: the emotional and physical contact with clients and patients, along with the performance of 'dirty work', yields similar risks such as violence, infection and occupational injury. Meanwhile, differences in each working environment, for example with respect to institutional legitimacy in the hospital versus illegitimacy and stigma on the street, provide an interesting context in which to study the effects of occupational organization on risk management by workers. This study applies a qualitative and quantitative analysis to the study of occupational risk, using interview data from a sample of 92 Montreal street prostitutes and patient-attendants. It was found that patient-attendants often cope with occupational risk in an institutional and routinized manner, while prostitutes often rely on personal rules and co-workers to manage various risks. It is concluded that the organizational structure of both occupations impacts upon risk management by workers.