Occupational Health Hazards and Safety Measure among Sweeper Workers in Ismailia City

Background: Street sweeper workers play an important role in maintaining the health and cleanness in the communities. However, their work exposes them to various hazards while little or no attention is paid to their health condition. Aim of the work: This study was carried out to assess knowledge and practice regarding the occupational health hazards and safety measure practices among sweeper workers at Ismailia city. Setting: the study was conducted on sweeper workers in the first, second and third district at Ismailia city. Study Design: A descriptive study design was conducted Sample: convenient sampling from selected areas, sample size (330). Tools: A structured interview questionnaire consisting of 4 parts were used, basic characteristics of the sweepers, their knowledge, and their practice of the safety measures. Results: the results in this study revealed that the total knowledge is unsatisfactory (82.1 %) as well as inadequate practices of safety measures. There was a positive correlation between total knowledge of hazards and total practices of safety measures Conclusions: The exposure of the street sweepers to health hazards at their workplace was increased and this was resulting from the unsatisfactory awareness of health hazards related to the occupation of street sweepings, as well as lack of training especially regarding the use of personal protective equipment. Recommendations: Periodic health programs are needed to increase knowledge of street sweepers on different occupational health hazards, ergonomic principles and train them on using safety protective measures.



Key Words: Occupational Health Hazards, Safety Protective measures, Street sweeper workers, Ismailia