Conclusion and recommendations
infectious disease, injuries, pain
INFECTIOUS DISEASE, EVENTS, COMPLICATIONS
The study aimed at evaluating the effect of the OHS intervention on the waste and sanitation workers and identify the areas of improvement. The study found that the intervention was successful in improving the critical measures such as knowledge about spread and prevention of infectious disease and key COVID-19 prevention strategies, attitude towards using PPEs, and practice of taking preventive measures after they return home from work to ensure occupational health safety of the waste and sanitation workers. This intervention can be adapted for other cities of Bangladesh and other low-middle income country settings with additional actions taken to make the intervention context-appropriate.Based on the endline evaluation findings, we recommend the followings actions.Organize refresher training for workers and their supervisors at least once a year and orientation events following the health safety guidelines for the new workers on maintaining occupational health and safety.In future interventions, address occupational health-related injuries and health complications such as joint or back pain with regular health checkups/insurance.Create a balance between the quality and comfort of the PPEs, especially for the safety of gumboots in future designs, and create a mechanism to maintain an adequate supply of these once damaged.Workers should be encouraged to be responsible for using PPEs regularly through on-job training and supervision.A detailed study and intervention should be considered to address the occupational health safety problems of the workers holistically. These may include improved salary structure, stable job contracts, decent workplaces, insurance, medical facilities, better education and training facilities, improved accommodation, WASH access, and proper protective equipment use.