Riscos ocupacionais e segurança do trabalho em um barracão de uma cooperativa de catadores de materiais recicláveis em Londrina - PR

Abstract

The increase in waste generation rates is an important problem in today's society, resulting from the increase in the population growth rate and the increase in consumption. Relating this problem to the lack of care regarding the correct disposal of waste, they pose risks, which can lead to factors such as: soil contamination, proliferation of diseases and others. Selective collection is a social instrument for waste disposal that includes the collection of recyclable waste separately from other waste. Therefore, the importance of recyclable material collectors is linked to these issues. Therefore, this work aims to analyze issues related to the health and safety of workers in a shed belonging to a recyclable materials cooperative in the city of Londrina/PR. This study analyzed occupational risks, the structure of the shed including the air quality in the internal environment and the living area in order to propose some adaptation measures. As this is a descriptive and exploratory study, a questionnaire was applied based on Regulatory Standards, a checklist to understand the environment and the activity carried out and the collection of data related to internal air quality in the cooperative's shed. It was found that workers are involved in an activity that exposes them to risks: physical, chemical, biological, accidents and ergonomic. Of the twenty cooperative members, only nine workers participated in the questionnaire, five females and four males, covering all the cooperative's work functions. The average age was 47.2 years, the majority are highly educated with only one illiterate worker, six are married and three are single. The presence of materials was found in the sorting stage that are not part of the selective collection (batteries, oils/greases, insecticide packaging and fluorescent lamps), highlighting the population's lack of awareness regarding the correct disposal of this waste. The risk factors most associated by cooperative members were: bad smell, excessive heat and noise. Of the nine, seven said they had already suffered some type of accident, most of which said they were related to sharp objects. The most frequent complaints regarding injuries were pain in the arms and dorsal region. The internal temperature of the shed exceeded that recommended by legislation and the other parameters analyzed proved to be compliant. The cooperative presents good conditions for the internal structure of the shed/living area; therefore, it meets several requirements of the Regulatory Standards. Deficiencies were detected in lighting, ventilation and organization. Breaks, demarcation of the pressing area, training in presses without bimanual control, improvements in lighting and internal temperature, installation of showers and inspection of the use of PPE, especially ear protectors and gloves for sharp materials, are recommended. These improvements are necessary, as more than half of those interviewed said they liked the activity carried out and did not intend to look for another means of support.