Risks and risk mitigation in waste-work: A qualitative study of informal waste workers in Nepal

Sapkota, Sujata; Lee, Andrew; Karki, Jiban; Makai, Prabina; Adhikari, Saraswati; Chaudhuri, Nita; Fossier-Heckmann, Astrid

doi:10.1016/j.puhip.2020.100028

Cited by 12 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Zhou (2014) [9] took bus drivers as the research object and provided specific suggestions for bus drivers by understanding their views on extreme heat and occupational health risks. Sapkota et al (2020) [13] also explored how informal waste recycling workers perceive and reduce the risks associated with waste recycling.…”

Section: Occupational Health Risk Perceptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Employee behavior and job performance are determined by many factors, such as environmental factors, behavioral factors, and cognitive factors. Cognitive factors include knowledge, perception, attitude, and expectation [ 13 , 14 ]. Employees’ cognition and judgment of occupational health risks affect their psychological state and work results to a great extent.…”

Section: Literature Review and Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Effect of Occupational Health Risk Perception on Job Satisfaction

Shan

Liu

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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This study explored the relationship between occupational health risk perception and job satisfaction. Based on the job demand-resources model and resource conservation theory, eight hypotheses were proposed in this study. In a survey of 237 production line workers and managers, we found that perceived occupational health risks significantly negatively affected job satisfaction. Both work stress and organizational commitment mediate the relationships between perceived occupational health risks and job satisfaction. We also examined whether safety culture could weaken the negative impact of perceived occupational health risks on job satisfaction. However, the results of our study did not support this hypothesis. This study not only helped managers to realize the hazards of occupational health risks, but also encouraged employees to actively participate in safety construction and pay attention to their own health. In addition, we also put forward some targeted intervention measures to reduce the negative impact of perceived occupational health risks on job satisfaction. Therefore, this study had certain practical implications.

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Section: Occupational Health Risk Perceptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Literature Review and Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Occupational Health Risk Perception on Job Satisfaction

Shan

Liu

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…17,18 The physical injuries and cuts during the work are the common occupational risks associated with the landfill waste workers at Sisdol. 19,20 The waste workers have less knowledge of occupational health risks and adopt less safety practices at their working site. 21 A study done in dumping sites of Thailand had recommended to incorporate the landfill workers into the formal sector program to reduce work related health hazards.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of personal protective equipment among waste workers of Sisdol landfill site of Nepal

Khanal

Sondhi

Giri

2021

Int J Occup Saf Health

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Introduction: Solid waste management is a major issue in Nepal with Kathmandu valley generating the highest amount of solid waste. After recovery, the solid waste generated in Kathmandu valley is transferred to the Sisdol landfill site. There are waste workers in Sisdol landfill site who sustain their livelihood by collecting recyclables from those wastes. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is necessary to protect the frontline waste workers against infection. In addition, the waste workers need to know the proper usage of PPE in order to protect themselves from contamination. This study aimed to assess the awareness and proper usage of PPE along with the challenges faced by the waste workers at Sisdol landfill site. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data from landfill waste workers of Sisdol located at Kakani Rural Municipality in Nuwakot district of Nepal. A convenience sampling method was used based on the availability of landfill waste workers on that day and their willingness to participate. The data was collected using the structured questionnaire and personal interview of available waste workers. Results: The study comprised of 65% female and 35% male waste workers. The highest percentage of waste workers belong to 27-37 age group occupying 43% of total respondents. Around 92% waste workers had participated in any orientation/training or session related to PPE and its usage. About 60% landfill waste workers were found only using mask and gloves. Conclusion: There is small number of waste workers who wish to wear full set of PPE. Most of them only like to wear mask and gloves. The gender, age group and the education level of waste workers had no association with the usage of PPE during the work.

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“… 12 Despite the high level of awareness about the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) among Nepali workers, there was poor practice of using PPE. 13 A qualitative study conducted among Nepali migrant workers suggested that workplace injuries were due to lack of health and safety regulations, risk-taking behaviour of workers and perceived work pressure. 14 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 15 To understand health and safety behaviours, one needs to understand how people perceive injury risks and what are the factors that influence their behaviours. 13 Little is known about how the people of Nepal perceive and deal with home and workplace injuries or their risk factors. This study explored a range of views and perception about injuries in a variety of settings and identified barriers and facilitators to injury prevention.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions of injury risk in the home and workplace in Nepal: a qualitative study

et al. 2021

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ObjectiveInjuries are a global health problem. To develop context-specific injury prevention interventions, one needs to understand population perceptions of home and workplace injuries. This study explored a range of views and perceptions about injuries in a variety of settings and identified barriers and facilitators to injury prevention.DesignQualitative study: interviews and focus groups.SettingThree administrative areas: Hetauda submetropolitan city, Thaha municipality and Bakaiya rural municipality in Makwanpur, Nepal.ParticipantsNine focus groups (74 participants) and nine one-to-one interviews were completed; workers from diverse occupations, residents (slum, traditional or modern homes) and local government decision-makers participated in the study between May and August 2019. The interviews and discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, translated to English and analysed thematically.ResultsSix themes were developed: unsafe home and workplace environment; inadequate supervision and monitoring; perceptions that injuries are inevitable; safety takes low priority: financial and behavioural considerations; safety education and training; and government-led safety programmes and enforcement. Key barriers to injury prevention were perceived to be lack of knowledge about injury risk and preventive measures both at the community level and at the workplace. Facilitators were community-level educational programmes and health and safety training to employees and employers. Participants stressed the importance of the role of the government in planning future injury prevention programmes in different environments.ConclusionsThis study highlighted that both home and workplace injuries are complex and multifactorial. Lack of knowledge about injury risks and preventive measures, both at the community level and at the workplace, was found to be a common barrier to injury prevention, perceived to be mitigated by educational programmes. Together with previously published epidemiological evidence, the barriers and facilitators identified in this study offer useful basis to inform policy and practice.

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Risks and risk mitigation in waste-work: A qualitative study of informal waste workers in Nepal

Cited by 12 publications

References 18 publications

The Effect of Occupational Health Risk Perception on Job Satisfaction

The Effect of Occupational Health Risk Perception on Job Satisfaction

Use of personal protective equipment among waste workers of Sisdol landfill site of Nepal

Perceptions of injury risk in the home and workplace in Nepal: a qualitative study

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