• Dr. Sathyaprakash. M. R
• Dr. Chandrashekar E

India has major environmental problems associated with the generation of waste, inadequate collection of waste as well as its transportation, treatment, and disposal. The current system in India does not have the capability to cope with the volume of waste generated by the rapidly increasing urban population, and this negatively impacts public health and the environment. Collection of waste is considered one of the most dangerous jobs in the world as it exposes workers to biological, chemical, and physical hazards and increases the risk of certain occupation associated morbidities. The major objective of the study was to find out the prevalence of the occupational-related morbidities and associated factors among door-to-door collectors of waste in Bhadravati city of Shimoga district in Karnataka. A cross-sectional survey was taken involving 60 randomly selected door to door waste collectors working for the Bhadravati Municipal Corporation. A semi structured interview schedule was used for data collection and morbidities were assessed using operational definitions by the Occupational Safety and Health Authority guidelines. Results: Among the door-to-door waste handlers in Bhadravati taluk of Shimoga 77.7% reported injuries, 71% reported skeletomuscular problems, 62.3% respiratory problems, 39.3% gastrointestinal problems, 36.3 % eye problems and 30% skin disorders. Multiple logistic regression indicated major risk factors included workers being new to the job, workers being untrained, manual handlers, unhygienic and risky sorting of waste, not using protective equipment, part-time workers, not following the protocol for waste handling and workers collecting less than two tons per day of household waste. The poor socioeconomic conditions and poor hygienic behaviours, and the alcohol consumption habit aggravated the risk of morbidities. Female waste handlers faced a higher risk of gastrointestinal and skeletomuscular disorders. The significantly large number of door-to-door waste collectors in the Bhadravati Municipal Corporation suffered from injuries, skeletomuscular problems, respiratory problems, and gastrointestinal problems as well as eye and skin disorders that seemed to be correlated with characteristics of their occupation.

health hazards, solid waste management, workers,Sociological Perspective

"Occupational health hazards among solid waste management workers- A Sociological Perspective", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 2, page no.626-635, February-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1902C91.pdf

"Occupational health hazards among solid waste management workers- A Sociological Perspective", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 2, page no. pp626-635, February-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1902C91.pdf