This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by An, H. Articles by Bean, J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by An, H. Articles by Bean, J. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Occupational health and safety amongst municipal solid waste workers in Florida

Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA

James Englehardt

Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA

Lora Fleming

Department of Epidimiology and Public Health, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA

Judy Bean

Department of Epidimiology and Public Health, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA

Injury and disease distributions amongst municipal solid waste (MSW) workers in Florida were analyzed from data from the Florida Workers' Compensation scheme between 1993 to 1997. Municipal solid waste workers in Florida were most commonly exposed to musculoskeletal and dermal injury risks such as strains or sprains, contusions, fractures, and lacerations. Strains or sprains represented 47.7% of all the reported injuries, similar to the proportion found for other Florida industrial workers (45.7%). Waste collectors (drivers or helpers) had a higher risk of injury than other workers in the MSW industry. Whilst injury rates for all Florida industrial workers decreased, the injury rates of MSW workers almost doubled from 1993 to 1997. It was noted that workers' compensation claims represent only a fraction of total injuries. Possible reasons for the high risks were discussed. Occupational diseases amongst MSW workers are believed to be under reported. Further studies on different waste management worker subpopulations are needed to provide detailed information to reduce these risks.

Key Words: Health and safety • injuries • municipal solid waste (MSW) • risks

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. Tooher, T. Griffin, E. Shute, and G. Maddern Vaccinations for waste-handling workers. A review of the literature Waste Management Research, February 1, 2005; 23(1): 79 - 86. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P P F M Kuijer and M H W Frings-Dresen World at work: Refuse collectors Occup. Environ. Med., March 1, 2004; 61(3): 282 - 286. [Full Text] [PDF]