Magnitude and possible risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among street cleaners and solid waste workers: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: In the absence of a standardized work environment, insurance system, occupational safety measures and expanding workload an uptrend of musculoskeletal disorders secondary to occupational hazards is observed among a wide range of occupations in developing countries including street sweepers/cleaners. The aim of this study is to determine the burden and potential factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders among street cleaners/solid waste collectors in Gondar town, Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was used to determine the burden and identify potential risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among street cleaners. Street cleaners (n = 422) working experience of at least one year were randomly selected from the community at their respective work sites (street). A face-to-face interview recorded the participant's response addressing socio-demographic, occupational, job satisfaction, disability related to basic ADL, physical measurements, and self-reported pain using the Nordic-Musculoskeletal questionnaire. The logistic regression model was created to identify potential factors associated with self-reported MSDs. RESULTS: The sample consists of women street sweepers/cleaners (100%, n = 422, response rate 100%) with at least one-year of work experience with a mean age of 37.03 ± 8.26. About 40% of women sweepers were illiterate and 95% reported no job satisfaction. The overall prevalence of MSDs was 73% (n = 308, 95% CI; 68.5, 77.2), among them nearly 65% reported having experienced disability in performing basic ADL in the past 12 months. Low back pain was the most prevalent region (n = 216, 70.1% case versus MSDs n = 308). In univariate and multivariate logistics analysis, being overweight/obese (AOR of 4.91 (95%, 2.22, 10.87)), age group 35 and above (AOR 2.534 (1.51, 4.26)), not-satisfied with job (AOR 2.66 (1.05, 6.75)), and street cleaning distance of longer than 2 km (AOR 2.82 (1.64, 4.83)) were significantly associated with self-reported musculoskeletal disorder.. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated higher self-reported MSDs among street sweepers/cleaners. Modifiable predictors like overweight, lack of job satisfaction, and cleaning longer distance were identified to be associated. Hence, there is a need for ergonomic measures and policy to curb these factors to reduce the burden of MSD among women street sweepers.

Socio economic and health status of street sweepers of Mekelle city, Ethiopia.

A questionnaire survey to determine the socio economic and health status of street sweepers of Mekelle city, Ethiopia was held during April and May 2019. The random sample chosen was 137 out of a total of 297 street sweepers of the city. The major lot (86.13%) worked both in the morning and evening shifts whereas the rest 13.87% worked only in the morning shift in all days of the week. They served for a poor monthly salary of 500-1500 Birr. As a result of continuous working with municipal solid waste they developed several health problems. The most wide spread health issues were cuts and laceration (84.67%), respiratory and eye problems (58.39%) and musculoskeletal problems (53.28%). In addition, sweepers reported cases such as fracture by fall, joint pain, cough, asthma, low back pain and dysentery during the previous one year of their service. The study result also showed significant differences in health issues of different sub cities. Sweepers of Qedamay Weyane subcity were worst affected. These sweepers received no medical aid from their employers. In addition they faced several challenges at work place particularly bad weather of early morning, insults and sexual harassments by miscreants on the road. It was reckoned that 97.81% of sweepers had no job satisfaction. It is concluded that the socio economic and health status of street sweepers of Mekelle city was deplorable. In this study suggestions for improving their socio economic status and controlling or minimizing their occupational health hazards are given.

Genomic Instability in Buccal Mucosal Cells of Municipal Street Sweepers as Evaluated by Micronucleus Test.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Since street sweepers comprises a group of workers who are in daily contact with rubbish, dust and air pollution, the aim of this study was to evaluate potential cytotoxic and mutagenic effects in buccal mucosa cells of street sweepers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 male street sweepers aged from 22 to 56 years were included in the experimental group. A total of 20 men matched by age were used as the control group. Cytotoxicity and mutagenicity were analyzed by micronucleus test in buccal mucosal cells. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in the frequency of micronuclei was detected in the street sweepers when compared to the control group. No remarkable differences were found to other metanuclear alterations indicative for cytotoxicity such as pyknosis, karyolysis, and karryorhexis when compared to matched controls. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our results indicate that street sweepers comprise an at-risk group as a result of increased mutagenicity found to buccal mucosa cells.

Occupational Health Hazard Exposure among municipal solid waste workers in Himachal Pradesh, India.

The net volume of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) generated in Himachal Pradesh is 350 tons per day (TPD) with an annual growth rate varying between 1 and 1.33%. This leads to serious considerations regarding potential occupational health hazards of workers associated with MSW. The study generated from non-engineered landfill sites was carried out at three locations- Shimla, Solan, and Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, India. . The main aim of this study was to determine existing occupational hazards in relation to MSW management at these locations, to coordinate with the different municipalities and suggest suitable remedial measures for our study locations. In particular, the exposure assessment to the work force comprising of street sweeping, waste collection, waste processing, and rag picking were assessed using an interview scheduling technique. A questionnaire survey was carried out on these workers with the questions asked related to their work culture, socio-economic conditions, general awareness of occupational health risks and related occupational health hazards associated with the work being performed by them. The results showed that the workforce mainly comprised of males with a low percentage of literacy rates. The age distribution showed that majority of waste collectors and street sweepers were above 30 years of age (67%) and that the rag pickers in Mandi town were below 20 years of age. Income variation between casual and regular workers was highly significant with regular workers (INR 600-1200; USD 9-18) getting almost six times the payment of the casual workers (INR 100-200; USD 3-7.5). From the studies conducted the study deduced that about 64% of waste collectors, 80% of street sweepers and 10% of rag pickers in Solan and about 6.67% street sweepers, 57.47% waste collectors and 100% of rag pickers in Mandi were not provided with any protective equipment. Interestingly, in the capital city of Shimla a small fraction of the street sweepers (28%) and waste collector (6%) confirmed that they were given protective equipment twice in a year. The lack of provisions of protective equipment along with the ignorance of the workers results in occupational health hazards due to different types of external injuries. The major occupational health issues reported by various categories of waste workers were muscle and ligament sprain, cuts and lacerations and different allergies varying between 1.97 and 66.67% [ for e.g. in Solan it varies from 32.47-66.67%; Shimla 1.97-10.16% and in Mandi 9.52-16.67%], 6.36-67.95% and 5.77-42.86%, respectively. From this study, it was observed that such workers are ill-protected against such occupational health hazards new laws and policies are needed to be introduced for their protection.

Assessing the exposure of street sweeping and potential risk factors for developing musculoskeletal disorders and related disabilities: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the exposure of those involved in street sweeping to the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and related disabilities and tries to identify the individual risk factors thereof. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among street sweepers together with a comparison group. A modified Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was adopted to measure the prevalence of MSDs and related disabilities. The impact of the occupation of sweeping on the development of MSDs and related disabilities was assessed using the propensity score matching (PSM) method. A multivariate logistic regression model was employed to identify the individual risk factors. PARTICIPANTS: Street sweepers (n=180) and a comparison group (n=180), working for at least a year as formal employees of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), were randomly selected from 6 municipal wards. RESULTS: The prevalence of the MSDs was significantly higher among the sweepers for shoulders (32%), wrists/hands (29%), elbows (27%) and neck (17%) compared with the comparison group, in which the prevalence was 11%, 19%, 9% and 11%, respectively. The disabilities too were significantly higher among the street sweepers for the lower back (27%), upper back (27%), wrists/hands (26%), shoulders (24%) and elbows (23%) compared with the comparison group, for which the figures were 18%, 19%, 13%, 9% and 6% respectively. The PSM method highlighted that the occupation of sweeping raised the risk of developing MSDs and disabilities particularly for the shoulders (17-16%), wrists/hands (14% each), elbows (13% each) and the upper back (12-13%). After adjusting the age, body mass index and the caste of the street sweepers, the number of years of engagement in street sweeping and the location of work emerged as potential risk factors in the development of MSDs and, thereby, related disabilities. CONCLUSIONS: The study concluded that the occupation of street sweeping raises the risk of MSDs and related disabilities. This study recommends preventive and curative measures to deal with MSDs among street sweepers.

Effectiveness of the multidimensional ergonomic intervention model to reduce musculoskeletal discomfort among street sweepers in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of multidimensional ergonomic intervention (MEI) model to reduce musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) among street sweepers. A quasi-experimental study was conducted in Chiang Rai Province. The MEI model was designed on the basis of four core components: cognitive behavior therapy, ergonomic education training, stretching exercise, and the foam sleeve broom handle grip. Seventy-five street sweepers volunteered for the screening process on MSD of having level score ≥4 by physiotherapist. Face to face interviews were used mainly in order to diagnose MSD. Physical examination was performed by physiotherapist and physical performance by sports scientist. The findings showed that the MEI model among the intervention group significantly reduced MSD compared with that among control group at exit model and follow-up (P<0.01). This research suggests that the MEI model was appropriate to reduce MSD associated with repetitive movement and awkward postures on task.

As condições de trabalho dos garis de varrição de ruas / The work conditions of the street-sweepers / Las condiciones de trabajo de los barrenderos de calles

O artigo relata pesquisa realizada, numa perspectiva psicossociológica, com os garis de varrição do hipercentro de Belo Horizonte. Objetivou descrever as condições de trabalho no contexto das gestões da autarquia municipal, considerando-se quatro categorias de condições de trabalho: condições contratuais e jurídicas, condições físicas e materiais, processos e características da atividade e ambiente sociogerencial. As atividades de campo foram: aplicação do Questionário de Condições de Trabalho (QCT), entrevistas semiestruturadas e observações. Os resultados indicaram, entre outros aspectos, condições físicas e materiais problemáticas e a relevância da autonomia (nas tarefas) e a permanência nos trechos para execução da atividade. As relações entre trabalhadores e organização apontam a necessidade de promover a participação dos trabalhadores na autarquia e na gestão da atividade, valorizando as experiências dos garis, a fim de garantir qualidade crescente, beneficiando a limpeza pública e a cidade. Entretanto, a organização empregadora não se demonstrou sensível a esses aspectos

The article reports a research developed, from a psychosociological perspective, with street-sweepers in the hypercenter of Belo Horizonte. It describes the work conditions in the managerial context of the governmental institution, and considered four categories: contractual and legal conditions, physical and material conditions, process and characteristics of activity, and social-managerial environment. The activities of field consisted of the application of Work Condition Questionnaire (WCQ) and semi-structured interviews, and observations. Among the results, the research showed problematic physical and material conditions, relevance of autonomy (in the tasks) and permanency in the work stretches for implementation of the activity. The relationship between workers and organization pointed out the need to promote workers' participation in the institution and management of the activity in order to value workers' experiences and to achieve a better quality in the public cleanliness in the city. However, the employer does not reveal itself sensitive to these aspects

El artículo relata una investigación, en perspectiva psicosociológica, llevada a cabo con los barrenderos que trabajan en el hipercentro de Belo Horizonte. Su objetivo fue describir las condiciones de trabajo en el contexto de las gestiones de la autoridad local, considerando cuatro categorías de condiciones de trabajo: contractuales y legales, físicas y materiales, procesos y características de la actividad, y entorno sociogerencial. Las actividades de campo fueron: aplicación de Cuestionario de Condiciones de Trabajo (CCT), entrevistas semi-estructuradas y observaciones. Entre los resultados, la investigación encontró condiciones físicas y materiales problemáticas, relevancia de la autonomía (en las tareas) y permanencia en los locales de trabajo para la realización de la actividad. La relación entre empleados y organización muestra necesidad de que estos participen de la gestión de la organización y de la actividad, valorando sus experiencias, en beneficio de una limpieza pública de mayor calidad y de la ciudad. La organización empleadora no se mostró sensible a esos aspectos

Acute lung function response to dust in street sweepers.

BACKGROUND: Sweepers are chronically exposed to dust raised during sweeping. Dust is regarded as the most influential agent and it is perceived as a frequent cause of respiratory system illness and may cause acute and chronic lung function impairment. AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the acute lung function changes in sweepers exposed to dust generated from street sweeping. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted in central Karnataka, India, on 25 female sweepers and 25 healthy female control subjects who were comparable in age, height and weight. The pulmonary function test was performed in controls, sweepers before and after sweeping, by using RMS medspiror and results were compared by Student's unpaired 't' test. RESULTS: The results showed a significant reduction in percent predicted values and mean values of FVC, FEV1, PEFR, FEF25-75% and FEF 200-1200 between sweepers and their matched controls. Pulmonary function after sweeping also showed a significant decrease. CONCLUSIONS: On comparing the pulmonary functions of sweepers before and after sweeping, it was concluded that inhalation of dust acutely affected the lung function of sweepers in India and that sweepers were at a risk of developing occupation related lung function impairment. We recommend that the workers should use protective face masks and do wet sweeping instead of dry sweeping during sweeping activity.

Planejamento para aposentadoria: a visão dos garis / Planning for retirement: from the viewpoint of the street sweepers

O rápido envelhecimento populacional no Brasil trouxe diversos desafios, um dos quais é a necessidade de preparar os trabalhadores mais velhos para a transição do trabalho para a aposentadoria. Existe também uma carência de pesquisas relacionadas ao tema, especialmente acerca dos trabalhadores que atuam na limpeza urbana. Este estudo investigou o planejamento para a aposentadoria dos garis e os aspectos priorizados para seu bem-estar nessa transição. Seis garis, com 45 anos ou mais e que estavam no mínimo a dois anos da aposentadoria participaram de seis encontros. No primeiro, os garis realizaram entrevista semiestruturada e também foram sensibilizados para o tema. Nos quatro encontros seguintes, foram realizados grupos focais, utilizando-se fatores-chave para o bem-estar na aposentadoria. No sexto e último encontro, ainda utilizando a técnica do grupo focal, os participantes avaliaram as condições de trabalho e no quanto poderiam impactar o bem-estar na aposentadoria. A análise dos dados revelou que o relacionamento familiar é o principal preditor de bem-estar na aposentadoria, seguido da promoção da saúde que, está diretamente relacionada às condições de trabalho e precisam ser revistas pelo empregador. Para esses garis, o lazer estava em segundo plano, embora houvesse a expectativa de que na aposentadoria eles teriam mais tempo para o lazer e recursos para viajar. O estudo aponta sugestões para a área de Recursos Humanos, tais como melhorar as condições de trabalho dos garis, reduzir a carga horária para os que estejam próximos da aposentadoria e adotar um programa de preparação para aposentadoria.

The rapid growth of the ageing population in Brazil brought a variety of challenges, one of which is the need to prepare older workers in the transition from work to retirement. There is also a lack of research in this area, especially towards workers who work in urban cleaning. This study investigated retirement planning of street sweepers and aspects prioritized for their well-being during future retirement. Six street sweepers of 45 years or more, who were at least two years from retirement, participated in six meetings. At the first meeting, they were sensibilized to this theme and participated in a semi-structured interview. Following this, four meetings were held with focus groups, using key factors related to well-being during retirement. At the sixth and last meeting, continuing with the focus group, the participants assessed working conditions and how these could impact their own retirement. The data analysis revealed that family relationships are the main predictor for well being during retirement, followed by health, which was directly related to their working conditions and which needed to be addressed by the employer. For these street sweepers, leisure was in second place, but they expected that in retirement years, they would have more time for this and also be able to travel. This study recommends a few measures for implementation by Human Resources, such as improving work conditions, reducing work hours before retirement and implementing a retirement preparation program.

A Study of Morbidity Pattern in Street Sweepers: A Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Street sweepers play an important role in maintaining the health and hygiene within the cities. This job exposes the street sweepers to a variety of risk factors such as dust, toxins and diesel exhaust pollution, which make them vulnerable to develop certain occupational diseases. Therefore, it was thought necessary to study the morbidity profile in this occupational group. OBJECTIVES: To study the prevalence of morbidities among street sweepers and comparison group. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study with a comparison group. STUDY SETTING: Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Nagpur. SUBJECTS: THE STUDY INCLUDED TWO GROUPS: (1) A study group comprising 273 street sweepers. (2) A comparison group comprising 142 class IV workers working in the office buildings of Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Nagpur. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pretested proforma was used to record the necessary information such as clinical history, sociodemographic factors, findings of clinical examination and investigations performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: THE IMPORTANT MORBIDITIES DETECTED AMONG STREET SWEEPERS WERE THE FOLLOWING: anemia (20.5%), hypertension (9.5%), upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) (7.3%) and chronic bronchitis (5.9%). In the comparison group, important morbidities detected were the following: anemia (20.4%), hypertension (11.3%), hyperacidity (9.9%), URTI (7.0%) and refractive error (7.0%). Chronic bronchitis was detected in two subjects (1.4%) of the comparison group. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was significantly high among street sweepers than that of subjects of the comparison group. Therefore, it is recommended that further studies with a larger sample size be undertaken to identify the factors responsible for higher prevalence of chronic bronchitis among the street sweepers.