This is a result that raises a critical reflection on the concentration of solid waste in addressing, primarily, traditional occupational risks as opposed to social determinants capable of significantly lowering returns. Drawing upon the experiences of more than 500,000 US waste workers, the research provides valuable understanding of gaps within the industry and what is needed to advance a broader perspective that enhances worker well-being.
The Perilous Workplace
Not one, but 5 articles in The United States BLS Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Society (IDORS) regarding dangerous occupations discuss the hazards workers have to face on a daily basis within the solid waste management and remediation industry. They are exposed to a host of occupational hazards ranging from excessive noise and poor ergonomics to pollution and extreme weather.
Additionally, they are exposed to biohazards and chemicals routinely so on-the-job injuries and illnesses exceed those of workers in all private industry. This harsh environment, in turn, has been the traditional concern of industry, with most effort directed at managing these legacy occupational hazards.
Yet now new research unveils a troubling blind spot — the industry is not doing enough to confront the social determinants of health that often substantially affect its workers’ well-being. Researchers from the Texas A&M University School of Public Health and the University of Michigan are seeking to call attention to this neglected focus on worker health and safety in a new study.
Uncovering Worker Perceptions
To understand more about how waste workers in the U.S. perceive their experiences and perspectives, the researchers used the INPUTS survey, a nationwide procedural population health-based workforce assessment tool from the National Healthy Worksite Program of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
We implemented the survey at three solid waste sites in Southeast Michigan; consisting of a total 74 questions and required approximately 20 minutes to complete it; among 68 adult men working within them. In our sample, most respondents were male (87%) and had completed at least a high school diploma or equivalent, such as a GED (90%); the focus of this study was on aspects of psychosocial environment, organizational health, and overall job satisfaction.
The results paint a subtler picture. Though overall job satisfaction was reported by 84% of workers “few” and most workers felt somewhat safe in their workplaces (6.5 out of a possible 10), the researchers revealed an alarming trend among ASC staff. The industry, it seems, are more interested in the traditional occupational health risks as opposed to the critical social determinants of health that influence worker well-being.
Conclusion
Results from a pilot study conducted by the researchers provide insight into the complex dynamics experienced by those working in solid waste management in this country. Although the industry has made progress in dealing with conventional occupational health and safety challenges, these results imply that a more holistic perspective is necessary to protect the actual health as well as health of this essential workforce.
Shifting the focus to account for the impact of social determinants of health will allow the industry to provide an innovative portrait of all relevant factors which are responsible for shaping physical and mental wellness of waste workers. By implementing additional longitudinal studies and data collection on the health and lifestyle factors of this population, we can answer these questions to get an in-depth understanding of what changes must be made not only for the people working hard in the solid waste industry but also methods to support a robust, healthy workforce necessary to maintain essential services.
