Waste pickers’ perception of occupational hazards and well-being in a Nigerian megacity

ABSTRACT

This study examined occupational risks associated with waste picking and pickers well-being in Lagos, Nigeria. A convenience sampling technique was employed to select 152 landfill-waste pickers, and the respondent-driven sampling technique was used to select 53 street-waste pickers. We discovered that waste pickers were exposed to occupational health risks such as body pain, tiredness, twisted ankles, chest pain, and eye soreness. Non-use of personal protective equipment contributed to waste pickers’ susceptibility to occupational health risks. Most waste pickers were dissatisfied with their well-being connected to the unhealthy conditions in which they work, the extreme poverty they live in, and the stigmatisation they experience. The study concludes that waste pickers’ well-being is critical for effective solid waste management; hence, they should be considered adequately in policy design and implementation programs/strategies.

KEYWORDS:

• Waste pickers
• satisfaction
• safety
• Lagos
• Nigeria

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the waste pickers interviewed for their hospitality and patience.

Disclosure statement

The authors reported no potential conflict of interest.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1. USD 1 = NGN 415.91 as at February 23, 2022