Occupational risks, vulnerabilities, and safety challenges among informal waste workers at the open disposal site in Khulna city

Abstract

Informal waste workers play vital yet largely unrecognized role in waste management in developing countries by recovering recyclable materials from disposal sites. This study investigates the occupational health and safety risks faced by informal waste workers engaged in waste sorting and collection activities at Rajbandh open dump, the sole disposal site in Khulna, Bangladesh. The vulnerabilities of the informal waste workers stem from inadequate protective equipment, poor sanitation, limited healthcare access, and a lack of training. Through structured questionnaires and observational checklists, data were collected from informal waste workers between May and June 2023, achieving a 100% response rate. Descriptive analysis using SPSS 23.0 revealed that all respondents reported health issues, while none owned safety gear—exacerbating exposure to hazardous waste, airborne pollutants, and unsafe working conditions. Alarmingly, all informal waste collectors reported health symptoms, with 0% ownership of safety gear, significantly contributing to these hazards and underscoring the urgent need for intervention. Rajbandh has a high frequency of occupational injuries as no specific rules and regulations have been established for informal waste workers by the Khulna City Corporation (KCC). Despite the high incidence of occupational injuries, KCC has yet to establish regulations to protect these workers. This study addresses a critical research gap by providing empirical evidence on the vulnerabilities of informal waste workers. The findings emphasize the urgent need for policy interventions, including occupational health programs, provision of safety equipment, and regulatory frameworks to safeguard their well-being.