The physical and physiological workload of refuse collectors

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Ergonomics
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Heavy physical loads in refuse collection pose risks to worker health and safety.
• Previous studies indicate potential for overload in waste management tasks.
• Understanding the physiological demands is crucial for improving working conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the physical workload of refuse collectors handling dustbins versus polythene bags.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing physical strain and preventing overload.
• To investigate the impact of changes in refuse collection methods on worker physiology.

Main Methods:

• Laboratory measurements of maximal isometric lifting force (Fmax) and maximal aerobic power (VO2max).
• Field measurements of heart rate and work analysis over three working days.
• Comparison of physical loads associated with dustbins and polythene bags.
• Assessment of interventions including reduced lifting, slower pace, and more breaks.

Main Results:

• Replacing dustbins with polythene bags increased refuse volume by 70% but reduced mean load per throw.
• While mean heart rate did not significantly differ, 39% of collectors exceeded overload criteria with polythene bags.
• Recommended workload reductions were followed, but physiological load remained unchanged due to increased collection volume.

Conclusions:

• The transition to polythene bags, while reducing individual lift load, did not eliminate overload risks for all refuse collectors.
• Interventions to reduce workload were negated by increased collection demands, indicating systemic issues in refuse collection efficiency.
• Further research is needed to develop sustainable ergonomic solutions for refuse collection to ensure worker safety and health.