Saúde ocupacional no manejo dos resíduos sólidos em unidades de saúde da família de Palmas - Tocantins

Abstract

Introduction: The correct management of Healthcare Waste (HSW) requires special care, which presupposes segregation at its source until its final destination. Improper management of these wastes can expose workers to chemical, physical, biological and ergonomic risks. Objective: To verify the management of HSW in the Family Health Units (USF) of Palmas and the practices involving the occupational health of HSW handlers. Material and methods: Descriptive quantitative research. All 34 USF managers were invited to participate in the research. Data collection took place from November 18, 2022 to May 22, 2023 at the USF through the application of 3 semi-structured questionnaires, on the situational diagnosis of HSW management in health containing variables of segregation, identification, packaging, internal collection and transportation, temporary and external storage, external collection and transportation, waste treatment, final disposal and minimization. Regarding worker safety, such as risk recognition and control, occurrence of accidents, use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Collective Protective Equipment (CPE), accident reporting, training on RSS, existence of an Environmental Risk Prevention Program (PPRA) and Occupational Health Medical Control Program (PCMSO), emergency plan in case of accidents, immunization control program. Socioeconomic data were collected such as sex, age, marital status, education, number of people in the household, family income, house where they live, time of activity at the USF, working hours, and having another employment relationship. The project was submitted and approved by the Research and Innovation Project Evaluation Committee of the Palmas Public Health School Foundation and the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Tocantins. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Results: Questionnaires 1 and 2 were answered by (35.3%) of the managers and the questionnaire by (30%) of the workers from (25.5%) different USF. The questions related to the management of HCW showed that there is no segregation or weighing of waste, but the bins are identified. Almost half of the USF do not have temporary storage of HCW and minimization does not occur in 100% of the interviewees. The 10 questions related to the Worker Safety domain showed that there was 1 accident involving the management of HCW, the service offers PPE, but not everyone uses it and the majority (n=10) 83.3% say that they are not trained to perform their tasks. Regarding the answers related to the activities performed by the professional and their risks, 25% do not recognize the risks, one third report that there is a biological risk, the remainder recognize other risks such as: falls, accidents with sharp objects, back pain, etc. Conclusion: The low adherence to the project suggests the need to reformulate the training of health professionals, aiming to consider caring for nature as part of the line of care. Furthermore, with little investment, it is possible to greatly improve the management of solid waste in USFs, as well as the need for ongoing training of workers who work in USFs in general, and especially those who handle solid waste, in order to recognize risks and improve adherence to the use of PPE.