Prevalence and Frequency of Non-Fatal Workplace Injuries Among Waste Recyclers at Buy-Back Centres in Johannesburg, South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study

Hlologelo Ramatsoma, Melitah Motlhale, Thulani Moiane, Kerry Wilson and Nisha Naicker ()
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Hlologelo Ramatsoma: Epidemiology and Surveillance Section, National Health Laboratory Service, National Institute for Occupational Health, Johannesburg 2001, South Africa
Melitah Motlhale: Epidemiology and Surveillance Section, National Health Laboratory Service, National Institute for Occupational Health, Johannesburg 2001, South Africa
Thulani Moiane: Epidemiology and Surveillance Section, National Health Laboratory Service, National Institute for Occupational Health, Johannesburg 2001, South Africa
Kerry Wilson: Epidemiology and Surveillance Section, National Health Laboratory Service, National Institute for Occupational Health, Johannesburg 2001, South Africa
Nisha Naicker: Epidemiology and Surveillance Section, National Health Laboratory Service, National Institute for Occupational Health, Johannesburg 2001, South Africa

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 9, 1-10

Abstract: Physical hazards are the most common source of health effects among waste recyclers, frequently leading to worker injuries. South Africa’s formal buy-back centres (BBCs) have emerged as key nodes in the recycling chain, yet the burden of non-fatal workplace injuries among BBC recyclers is not characterised. We conducted a cross-sectional study at ten BBCs in Johannesburg, enrolling 160 waste recyclers (median age 32 years; 55.6% female). A structured, interviewer-led questionnaire captured workers’ characteristics and self-reported injuries in the past six months. Robust Poisson regression was fitted to determine associations with frequent workplace injury. Overall, 69.4% of participants reported at least one injury. Cuts and lacerations (67.6%) and sprains or muscle strains (39.6%) predominated. Each additional year of age raised the risk of frequent workplace injury by 1% (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.01; 95% CI 1.00–1.02), each extra hour worked per day by 22% (aRR 1.22; 95% CI 1.04–1.42), and presence of hearing or vision problems by 45% (aRR 1.45; 95% CI 1.14–1.83). Targeted interventions—such as work hour regulation, sensory-friendly accommodations, and comprehensive, fit-focused PPE programs—are needed to reduce injury risk in this vulnerable workforce.

Keywords: waste recyclers; occupational health; occupational injuries; workplace injuries; frequency of injuries (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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