A Preliminary Assessment of Physical Work Exposures Among Electronic Waste Workers at Agbogbloshie, Accra Ghana

Details

• Personal Author:
  Acquah AA ; Arko-Mensah J ; Botwe PK ; D'Souza C ; Dwomoh D ; Fobil JN ; Kwarteng L ; Martin, Bernard J. ; Nti AA ; Quakyi IA ; Robins TG ; Takyi S ; Tettey P
• Description:
  Occupational exposure associated with unstructured, informal e-waste recycling has received very limited attention. This study aimed to quantify the occupational physical exposures among informal e-waste workers at the largest e-waste site in Africa. A cross-sectional field survey of 163 male e-waste workers was conducted using a self-report occupational physical activity questionnaire, along with direct work observations, and pedometer estimates of walking activity for a subset of workers (n=42). Results indicated significant differences in self-reported 7-day work exposures among the three main e-waste job categories, namely, collectors (n=70), dismantlers (n=73) and burners (n=20). Prolonged walking, sitting and standing on five or more days in the workweek was frequently reported by collectors (87%), dismantlers (82%) and burners (60%), respectively. Nearly 90% of collectors and burners and 60% of dismantlers reported lifting and carrying on five or more days in the workweek. The exposure combinations identified suggest a risk for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Findings call attention to the need for research examining potential associations between physical exposures and MSDs affecting e-waste workers in Agbogbloshie. The high exposure variability both between and within workers has implications for future exposure assessments conducted in unregulated, informal work settings. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Electrical Equipment And Supplies Musculoskeletal Diseases Occupational Health Recycling Safety
• Keywords:
  Activity Levels Agbogbloshie Author Keywords: E-waste Cross Sectional Studies E-waste Collection Electronic Equipment Informal Recycling MSD Musculoskeletal Disorders OPAQ Physical Activity Exposure Waste Disposal

  More +
• ISSN:
  0169-8141
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Michigan ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  82
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20062344
• Citation:
  Int J Ind Ergon 2021 Mar; 82:103096
• Contact Point Address:
  Augustine A. Acquah, Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, P.O. Box LG 13, School of Public Health, CHS, University of Ghana, Ghana
• Email:
  aaacquah@st.ug.edu.gh
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2021
• Performing Organization:
  University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics
• End Date:
  20280630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:06b508e72802603fc909bae95f915d30f50d979968333d264d3f310b9daa932ec40fb929f15299f8f54df880adeb6920ea650f54f820d3fd7d8d305f9413ad08
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/225611/cdc_225611_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 685.20 KB ]