Exploring Influencing Safety and Health Factors among E-Waste Scavengers in Accra, Ghana

Abstract

The reduced life cycle of electrical goods has contributed to a fast-growing occupational and environmental health issue arising from increased electronic waste (e-waste) in most developing countries. E-waste is processed informally in these countries, and in most cases, it is beyond the reach of official governance and is characterized by a lack of regulation, structure, and any form of license to operate. Assessing the implications of e-waste recycler safety knowledge, awareness, and practice levels is seen as a panacea for developing tailored interventions. We performed a cross-sectional study among 323 e-waste workers located in Agbogbloshie waste dumpsite, Accra, Ghana, to measure their knowledge, awareness, and practice, as well as their perceived safety and behavioral control. A significant negative correlation was found between participants safety knowledge and their safety practices (r (323) = −0.19, p < 0.01), as well as a similar correlation with perceived safety control among the study group (r (323) = −0.27, p < 0.01). In addition, the hygiene rating among the group was adjudged poor as there was no established relationship found with their perceived safety control. To help bridge the gap around e-waste workers safety knowledge, awareness, and practices, it is pertinent for local and international players to take into consideration the shared values and beliefs among the group and work alongside the group in developing a set of policies that will help improve their safety and health.