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https://www.arca.fiocruz.br/handle/icict/35007
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2025-01-01
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URBAN WASTE COLLECTORS IN BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL: THEIR PERCEPTIONS OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH RISK
Affilliation
Fundação Ezequiel Dias. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. London, United Kingdom.
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Rene Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. London, United Kingdom.
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Rene Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Abstract
Frequent contact with hazardous materials makes waste collection a potentially unhealthy activity. This article assesses the perception of waste management workers regarding work-related accidents in domestic and health service contexts in Brazil. Six focus groups were performed between June 2014 and August 2015. The aims of this study were to apprehend different aspects of the participants' health, workers' experiences of work-related accidents and perception of risks. Cuts and puncture injuries were reported most frequently in the line of work and were often considered as irrelevant. Immunization against hepatitis B was not common among all workers, which increases the risk of infection for those individuals. Finally, it is considered urgent to consolidate an inclusive space in which workers can have discussions on their health.
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