Purpose: The Door-to-Door waste collection system, adopted in more than 73% of the Italian municipalities, is considered a particularly heavy work. The predominantly manual collection process and the chronic overload raise health concerns for operators. Understanding the physical limits and fitness requirements of these workers is crucial for their health and safety. This pilot study investigated the physical exertion of door-to-door garbage collectors, focusing on heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumption (VO2). Methods: Ten garbage collectors, aged 25-51, underwent a cardiopulmonary treadmill test to determine their maximal physical capacity and to describe the linear relationship between HR and VO2. Polar H10 heart rate monitors were then used to track their heart rates during regular 8 hours shifts across different seasons. Physical strain was assessed via aerobic-anaerobic ventilatory thresholds, Relative Aerobic Strain (RAS), and Relative Heart Rate (RHR). Results: Data from 130 distinct shifts were collected. Key findings include average HR 87 bpm (SD9), RHR: 74% (SD 12), VO2: 9 ml/kg/min (SD 2.9), RAS: 24% (SD 8.2). The first aerobic threshold (VT1) was exceeded in 67 shifts, accounting for 1.7% of total monitored time. The second threshold (VT2) was surpassed in 8 shifts, totaling 16 minutes or 0.034% of the monitored time. Organic waste collection posed the highest strain with a mean RAS of 26,4%. Temperature had no significant impact on physical workload. Conclusions: The study indicates that the physical effort required for door-to-door garbage collection is generally moderate, aligning with health protection standards for 8h shifts. Most of the work was performed below VT1, despite different levels of cardiorespiratory fitness levels among workers. The waste management practices in the studied municipality, including the type of containers, collection itineraries, and frequency of exposure, appear optimal in minimizing cardiorespiratory and metabolic strain. Assessing the physical workload of collectors through oxygen consumption and heart rate variables provides a strategic approach to enhancing workers efficiency and safety.
A FIELD STUDY ON THE ASSESSMENT OF THE PHYSICAL WORKLOAD OF DOOR-TO-DOOR WASTE COLLECTORS
V. Zerbini;A. Raisi;T. Piva;A. Pagani;E. Menegatti;G. Mazzoni;G. Grazzi;S. Mandini
2025
Abstract
Purpose: The Door-to-Door waste collection system, adopted in more than 73% of the Italian municipalities, is considered a particularly heavy work. The predominantly manual collection process and the chronic overload raise health concerns for operators. Understanding the physical limits and fitness requirements of these workers is crucial for their health and safety. This pilot study investigated the physical exertion of door-to-door garbage collectors, focusing on heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumption (VO2). Methods: Ten garbage collectors, aged 25-51, underwent a cardiopulmonary treadmill test to determine their maximal physical capacity and to describe the linear relationship between HR and VO2. Polar H10 heart rate monitors were then used to track their heart rates during regular 8 hours shifts across different seasons. Physical strain was assessed via aerobic-anaerobic ventilatory thresholds, Relative Aerobic Strain (RAS), and Relative Heart Rate (RHR). Results: Data from 130 distinct shifts were collected. Key findings include average HR 87 bpm (SD9), RHR: 74% (SD 12), VO2: 9 ml/kg/min (SD 2.9), RAS: 24% (SD 8.2). The first aerobic threshold (VT1) was exceeded in 67 shifts, accounting for 1.7% of total monitored time. The second threshold (VT2) was surpassed in 8 shifts, totaling 16 minutes or 0.034% of the monitored time. Organic waste collection posed the highest strain with a mean RAS of 26,4%. Temperature had no significant impact on physical workload. Conclusions: The study indicates that the physical effort required for door-to-door garbage collection is generally moderate, aligning with health protection standards for 8h shifts. Most of the work was performed below VT1, despite different levels of cardiorespiratory fitness levels among workers. The waste management practices in the studied municipality, including the type of containers, collection itineraries, and frequency of exposure, appear optimal in minimizing cardiorespiratory and metabolic strain. Assessing the physical workload of collectors through oxygen consumption and heart rate variables provides a strategic approach to enhancing workers efficiency and safety.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
