SANITATION OFFICIALS say they are losing the battle to help garbage collectors protect themselves from injury and ill-health as many do not wear the protective gear which is provided for their safety."The people are issued with protective gear, I know they are issued but they don't wear them," head of the National Solid Waste Management Authority, Alston Stewart lamented.
One local study conducted earlier this year (March-May 2003) showed that less than 40 per cent of a sample of Corporate Area sanitation workers wear basic safety gloves, dust masks, goggles, hats or overalls for their hazardous jobs. Thirty eight cent of the group were not provided with any form of gear at all.
In the past year 25 per cent (27) of the sample group reported injuries, close to half of that number (12) were wounds in different degrees of severity.
The research conducted by pos-tgraduate student, Everton Francis, through the University of the West Indies' Department of Community Mental Health and Psychiatry, found that although the majority of the workers said the practice was dangerous, many did not wear a pair of gloves.
But studies from elsewhere reveal that the range of serious injuries from undertaking this activity without proper protection was significant.
One University of Miami report revealed that "garbage collectors suffer the most injuries to their lower backs and are plagued with fractured feet, bruised knees, and torn hands from picking up so many cans."
STRAINS
The Francis report (2003) noted that workers may also suffer strains, sprains and contusions of multiple body parts.
It recommended complete protective gear for every worker, compulsory annual medical exam and compensation for every worker who got injured or ill on the job.
Checks with the ministries of Health and Labour on standard equipment and wear for sanitation workers were not conclusive as the relevant persons were out of office last week.
Meanwhile, director of operations at the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWA), Ann-Marie Rodri-ques, said the company was now stepping up efforts to ensure worker's safety. A safety manual for the company is now in its draft stage.
"We have had safety training on the disposal sites and some safety training with the crew." She says a 'zero tolerance' approach is maintained at the Riverton City dump where all the workers have now been vaccinated and must wear protective gear. "We have provided safety reflective vests and backbraces. But the challenge for us is the rapid turnover of field staff." She said in many instances workers are issued gear but when they leave the job they do not return the supplies.
"There are some too for whom once you issue them material, they see them as personal and those you can't take back."
One driver 63-year-old Andy Dempsconfirmed that the workers were not wearing the protective gear.
"But they don't have a choice sometimes 'cause before they have to pay for it. Up to last year we had to pay for it."
But some companies have been implementing rigid measures to ensure compliance among staffers.
"It is a problem but there is a way to deal with it," David Minott, manager of Minott Services in Cross Roads, Kingston said. "We provide the gear and we insist that they wear them. We tell them that they will lose pay. We threaten to send them home and we have sent people home for not wearing the protective clothing."
MASKS
He said employees at the company were provided with iron-tipped boots, shoes, gloves, and in some cases with dust masks.
Paul Allen, operations manager at Garbage Disposal and Sanitation Sytems, says the company has a system where the team of 18 workers is checked to see that each worker is properly attired every morning before going on the roads.
Persons are penalised for lapses.
"We have very strict guidelines and monetary charges for persons who do not wear the gear.
Noel Downer, operator of Downer Services in Kingston says the particular issue for the men is the wearing of overalls which they complain are too hot.
"I have a problem with men not wearing overalls. Gloves they will wear but they complain that the overalls is too hot."
Names changed to protect identity.
- G.A.
