Safety Practices of Informal Waste Collectors in the Ga -East Municipality

Abstract

Although considerable efforts are being made by many Governments in tackling waste-related problems, informal waste collectors are involved in solving the Ghana‘s sanitation issues yet the significance of their work has been neglected. This research examined the compliance of knowledge of safety practices by informal waste collectors at Ga East Municipal Assembly and determining the role played by the Environmental Health Unit of the municipality to ensure the compliances with safety practices by informal waste collectors. One Hundred (100) respondents were selected randomly within four areas (kwabenya, tiafa, dome, haasto) in the Ga-East municipality and structured questionnaires were administered. The results indicated that; for 100 respondents, 53% of them said they were prone to cholera, 39% of them said influenza. 95% of them prefer using gloves as the only Personal Protective Equipments, 95% of the informal waste collectors have never had any program with the Environmental Health Unit. It was concluded that majority (90%) of the informal waste collectors had little knowledge on the dangers that they are exposed to, also, Environmental Health Unit, have not had any interaction with the informal waste collectors because they have not registered with them. It is recommended that, the informal waste collectors are provided with collection equipment such as (PPE and tricycles) by the assembly, also, awareness program for waste workers are to be focused on in order to increase their knowledge on occupational health hazards and ergonomic principles, Finally, the Environmental Health Unit should educate the informal waste collectors of the safety practices related to the work.