Physical workload of garbage collectors in two organization modes: one loader vs. two loaders

Garbage collection is physically demanding work and is usually performed by a crew composed of one driver and two loaders (two-loader organization, “TL”). French companies have recently introduced a new work organization mode, reducing the workforce to one driver and just one loader (one-loader organization, “OL”). The aim of this field study was to compare the physical workload of garbage collectors between the one-loader mode and the two-loader mode.
Twenty-two loaders (10 in OL and 12 in TL) and 15 drivers (9 in OL and 6 in TL) participated in this study conducted on 16 usual collection rounds (10 in OL and 6 in TL). Physical activity, using the GT3X monitor (ActiGraph) and Acti4 software (NRCWE), and heart rate (Polar Team²) were recorded continuously during the working time.
Garbage collection time was on average 434 ± 90 minutes in OL and 401 ± 48 minutes in TL. The mean weight of garbage collected by each loader was 9.6 ± 2.2 tons and 4.5 ± 0.7 tons, respectively in OL and in TL. Mean arm elevation was similar in OL and in TL for loaders. Number of steps performed by loaders was significantly higher in OL (16599 ± 4865) than in TL (12238 ± 3702). Mean heart rate (in % of heart rate reserve) was significantly higher in OL (35.6 ± 9.7 %) than in TL (26.5 ± 9.2 %) for loaders. No significant difference was found for drivers between OL and TL for time sitting and heart rate.
Physical workload of loaders was found to be considerably higher in OL than in a typical TL organization mode, resulting in an excessive increase in heart rate. Thus, the one-loader organization mode currently used should be discontinued or else substantially improved for the occupational safety and health of garbage collectors.