Reflexões sobre saúde e segurança do trabalho entre catadores (as) de materiais recicláveis: percepção do risco da atividade laboral

Abstract

This research talk about the Solid Waste Management in Brazil and delves into an analysis of the category of recyclable materials collectors. This research was necessary because there are still many vulnerabilities among this category of workers, even after the legal deadlines for the closure of landfills. This study aimed to analyze the perception of occupational risks among recyclable materials collectors and the relationship between this perception and the working conditions and health of these professionals. The research was conducted through a case study, involving the application of questionnaires and recorded interviews with collectors from ACAMJG and others linked to MESC, in 2023 and 2024. The responses of the two groups were mirrored in graphs. Each one was critically analyzed, and the answers were collated with each other. The results showed a significant gap in the perception of collectors regarding the risks inherent in their activity. Most of the interviewees were unaware of the health hazards associated with exposure to biological, chemical, and physical agents present in waste, as well as the ergonomic risks arising from collection and sorting activities. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) was also low, indicating an underestimation of risks. The data analysis suggests that the lack of risk perception may be related to several factors, such as the naturalization of precarious working conditions, the lack of information and guidance on health and safety, and the very dynamics of the scavenging activity, which requires the performance of repetitive and exhausting tasks in an unhealthy environment. A hypothesis raised by the research is that the denial of risks may be a psychological defense mechanism, allowing collectors to continue to perform their activities in adverse conditions. This hypothesis is supported by previous studies on risk perception in different occupational contexts, duly cited in the bibliography. Given the results obtained, the research points to the need to implement public policies aimed at improving the working conditions of collectors and promoting their health and safety. Among the measures suggested, the following stand out: the implementation of educational campaigns to inform collectors about health risks and the importance of using PPE; the offer of training courses in occupational health and safety, addressing topics such as ergonomics, first aid, and risk identification; guaranteeing access for collectors to health services, including periodic examinations and medical follow-up; the granting of special retirement for collectors, due to the unhealthy and strenuous nature of their activity. In conclusion, the research demonstrates the importance of considering the perspective of collectors in the formulation of public policies for occupational health and safety issues specific to collectors. By recognizing the risks to which they are exposed and promoting actions to improve their working conditions, it is possible to contribute to the construction of a fairer and safer waste management system that guarantees the good health of recyclable materials collectors.