In the present study, it was observed that most of the waste workers were unconcerned about potential injuries. Working with medical waste for long hours may cause physical problems, such as skin disease through dermal contact (Kuusisto et al., 2007), respiratory disorders from inhaling dust (Nielsen et al., 1997), gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhoea, dysentery and food poisoning through ingestion (Ivens et al., 1997). This seemed to reflect the
attitudes of their employers, none of whom implemented a monitoring program of waste workers’ occupational health and safety. Waste management, and the control of infections and accidents
arising from contaminated waste, are not considered the main activities of HCEs. Therefore, no record was kept of waste workers’ illness or accidents related to waste management.