ABSTRACT

Ma. Hussa Maica Llu-tere N. Nicerio, Mae Angelie De La Cruz, Janine Kate B. Bolanga and Francia “COLLECTORS IN TABACO CITY: AN ASSESSMENT,” (An Unpublished Undergraduate Thesis Aquinas University College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Rawis Legazpi City,2010) .

The study utilized the descriptive type of research wherein a survey questionnaire was used as a tool in gathering the data. The respondents of the study were the garbage collectors and the street sweepers in the city of Tabaco. The data gathered were analyzed and interpreted using statistical tools such as frequency, percentage and ranking.

The study sought answers to the following problems: I- What are the profile of the garbage collectors in terms of: age, civil status, educational attainment, gender and years in service ; II - What are the work-related accidents and diseases experienced by garbage collectors in terms of accidents and diseases; III - What are the safety measures employed by the garbage collectors to promote good health in terms of: promotion of hygiene, use of protective gear and stress management; IV - What are the problems encountered by the garbage collectors in performing the safety measures?

The findings of the study revealed the following: 1) In terms of the profile of the respondents all of the them were male (43 or 100%),most of them are married (36 or Mae A. Aringo, “HEALTH CONDITION OF GARBAGE 83.72%), majority of them are within the age bracket of 46-55 years old (16 or 37.21%), most of them are highschool graduate (20 or 46.51%) and majority of the garbage collectors were 8-10 years of service (21 or 48.84%);2)With regard to the common accidents and diseases experienced by the respondents, most of them experienced bruises(16 or 37.21%) and colds (18 or 41.86%). None of them had fractures and only 2 or 4.65% had tetanus; 3)With regard to the safety measures practiced by the garbage collectors, in promotion of hygiene most of the respondents (38 or 88.37%) practiced thorough hand washing and taking a bath after work and only 29 or 67.44% use disinfectant; in the use of protective gears commonly used were boots (28 or 65.12%) and only 3 or 6.98% used goggles; And majority of the respondents stated that spending time with family help them in managing stress while only 33 or 76.74% stated that watching television after work and sleeping help them to manage stress; 4)Majority of the respondents said that they do not encounter problems in terms of performing safety measures. 3 or 6.98% of them stated that the problem that they encountered was no orientation conducted about safety measures and only 1 or 2.33% asserted the lack of seminars regarding safety measures; 5) The findings support the idea that the job of
garbage collectors is prone to work-related accidents, injuries and diseases as evidenced by the result of the survey questionnaire. In view of the outcome, majority of them are aware of the safety measures that can help them lessen the risk of accidents, injuries and diseases. They are aware but they do not instill those safety measures properly and strictly causing them to encounter accidents like bruises, lacerations, abrasions, skin allergy and some mild diseases.

Based on the findings, the following conclusions were drawn: 1) Most of the respondents were from 46-55 yrs. old, all of them were male, most of them high school graduates and married and in terms of years in service most of them worked as garbage collectors for 8-10 years; 2) The common accidents encountered by the garbage collectors are bruises. None of them experience fractures from their work. In acquiring diseases, most of them commonly experienced cough, colds and skin allergy. None of them experienced tuberculosis, rabies, hepatitis A and pneumonia or bronchitis' were 3) All of them practice proper hygiene and knows how to handle stress. They are highly aware of the safety measures there are still some who seldom regarding their health. In the usage of protective gears, use it in their daily work, 4) Majority of the respondents answered that they never encountered problems in performing the safety measures. Only few of them viewed some encountered problems, mostly answered that no orientation conducted about safety measures was their problems encountered, 5) Based from the findings, the garbage collectors are vulnerable to accidents and diseases. They maybe aware of the safety measures but it was not properly put into practice. Proper usage of gears were not strictly conducted to the garbage collectors causing them to encounter accidents and diseases.

Based upon the findings and conclusions, the researchers recommended the following:

1) As much as the respondents belong to the adulthood stage and most of them high school graduates, the management should orient the workers in their field of work, topics regarding safety measures and ways to prevent accidents and injuries;
2) The respondents should undergo seminars regarding safety precautions, promotion of health and prevention of accidents and injuries;
3) The respondents should manage themselves to visit the city health unit for check up. The management should organize a free check up for the garbage collectors which includes medical and dental check up as a benefit from the government;
4) The respondents should learn good hygienic practices at all times, and should discipline themselves in observing proper health habits and usage of protective gears. The management must instill proper hygiene and use of protective gears strictly. In daily exposure of the garbage collectors to hazardous materials, they must be always fully geared to protect themselves from harsh conditions;
5) The local government are activities for information and education dissemination with regard to waste management practices such as solid waste generated more importantly in households, schools, hospitals and both private and public