Abstract:
Health and safety issues pertaining to workers are global concerns and a major priority to the
employers and government respectively. Employees in general across industries are faced with
various health and safety risks. Epidemiological research has shown consistently that waste
handlers are mostly exposed to various risks and hazards during their work as compared to
other professions globally. This study focused on waste handlers employed by the Thulamela
Municipality in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study employed qualitative explorative
design and targeted all municipal waste handlers. Municipal waste handlers were sampled
using non probability purposive sampling. In-depth interviews, using an interview guide, were
conducted by the researcher and a voice recorder was used to record data from the participants
after obtaining permission from them. The sample size comprised of 18 participants and was
determined by data saturation. A thematically analysis technique was used to analyse data.
Data from the participants were clustered into main theme, categories and sub-categories. The
following themes emerged from data analysis: physical hazards, psychological hazard,
biological hazards and chemical hazard. The study revealed that the municipal waste handlers
are exposed to various occupational risks and are experiencing shortage of personal protective
equipment, ranging from hand gloves, safety helmets, rain coats, overall uniforms, safety
jackets and boots, to keep themselves safe from health problems and occupational injury when
collecting waste. It is recommended that the Thulamela municipality should prioritise the
working conditions for municipal waste handlers, by distributing suitable personal protective
equipment such as hands gloves, safety helmet, rain coats, safety jackets and boots) and
overalls
