The current research investigates occupational risks, coping strategies, perception of compensation, and policy directions for solid waste management employees of Cardona, Rizal, through phenomenological research. Results indicate that employees are subjected to high levels of physical, biological, and psychosocial hazards,such as musculoskeletal discomfort arisingfrom heavy weights, respiratory conditions due to continuous exposure to dust and bad odors, and emotional distress stemmingfrom economic instability and social ostracism. The employees try to regulate these risks via personal protective behaviors, peer-to-peer support, and self-medicating behaviors, but none of these have been found satisfactory. The workers complain about dissatisfaction with their benefit and pay and mention low payment, absence of hazard pay, and poor coverage of health that worsens their economic hardship as well as stress related to jobs. Their experience emphasizes the urgency of policy changes to improve job safety and enhance working conditions. Given these results, this research advises the implementation of a local regulation requiring the use of proper personal protective equipment, constant medical examinations, and enhanced economic incentives in the form of hazard pay and insurance coverage. Information campaignsalso need to be introduced to familiarize the general population with the importance of the waste management employees' work and demystify their occupation. Adopting these steps will not only ensure the health and safety of workers but also enhance the efficiency of waste management in the municipality. These issues will be addressed by policy changes and assistance programs to ensure a safer, more equitable, and sustainable work environment.Subsequent studies can examine the long-term healtheffects of waste collection and thesuccess of new policies in safeguarding workers.Through a focus on employeewell-being, the local administration can promote public health and environmental management alongside more dignified and equitable working conditions for solid waste management staff.

In most urban areas in developing countries, solid waste management (SWM) is a serious environmental and public health issue because it is ranked among the most hazardous jobs in the world due to its potential risk from the waste to the environment and the public. Waste refers to any material discarded after use and deterioration. This comprises toxic waste, municipal solid waste (domestic waste), radioactive waste, etc (Patil & Kamble, 2017).

Garbage collectors, as they are generally known, or solid waste collection workers collect and convey the garbage to disposal points or recycling plants (Elsiddig Elmubarak et al., 2021).

These employees are subjected to various occupational risks, which include exposure to bad smells, sharp objects, dust, and infestation with insects, i.e., flies.

Despite wearing protective gear, they are likely to be contaminated and injured as a result of the difficult environment of their working place (Elsiddig Elmubarak et al., 2021). This exposure emphasizes the need to adopt strict safety measures and compensation schemes in order to better safeguard these crucial workers. An occupational risk is a risk or hazard that one is exposed to in the workplace. The most common types of threats include chemical, biological, psychological, and physical (Koul & Dogra, 2022).

Upholding the highest standards of physical, mental, and social health of employees in all types of occupation while keeping the adverse effects on workplace health at minimum, taking preventative steps to limit those adverse effects, and allocating employees to jobs that are consistent with their physical, psychological, and anatomical properties are all part of occupational health (David & Jeyaratnam, 2002). In the Philippines, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) emphasized that workplace hazards and the risk posed on the safety and health of the workers (DOLE, 2018). There exists a law that regulates the SWM workers in terms of safety like Republic Act No. 11058, commonly known as the "Occupational Safety and Health Standards Act,"" that ensures a safe workplace as well as proper safety precautions. Aside from ensuring that workers are given personal protective equipment (PPE), there exists an Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) committee that oversees safety protocols, continuous training, and risk-based health surveillance. To ensure safe working conditions for SWM employees who are subject to hazardous waste and potential injury hazards, employers are required to observe these standards, which are enforced by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). This is apparent as the local government units provides the workers with PPEs.

In fact particularly in Rizal Province, most Solid Waste Management (SWM) workers are actually employed on a "Job Order" or contractual basis, they have tough pay and benefit choices.These employees often do not get the benefits that regular employees receive, including hazard pay and adequate health insurance, since they are not considered regular government employees. As a result, they are often paid very minimal amounts of money and are not entitled to the same security and protections as permanent workers under Philippine labor law.

Government regulations mandating benefits such as health insurance, retirement pay, and hazard pay generally do not extend to contract workers.All employees are supposed to be covered by Republic Act No. 11058, which mandates workplace safety and provides occupational health interventions, but implementation often varies depending on employment status. Sadly, since SWM job order workers are generally exempted from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) rules for regular employees, they might only have limited coverage under this law. Thus, hazard pay is generally at the discretion of the local government units (LGUs), who set compensation according to local regulations and available funds.

For example, while this is not at all the standard across the country, some LGUs have established regulations for granting hazard pay to SWM types of job order workers in dangerous jobs.

Most SWM workers are left in precarious positions without the financial support and benefits that would reasonably reward them for the dangers they face every day.

This situation highlights the need for legislative reforms to ensure equitable compensation and benefits for all SWM workers, regardless of their employment status. Thus, the present study seeks to know the lived experiences of Cardona solid waste management workers in Rizal with emphasis on their occupational risks and compensation requirements. The researcher intends to prepare a compensation program supported by certain Ordinance or Policy that may be adopted to the local government units in conformity with the envisioned Magna Carta of Waste Workers as presented in Senate Bill 2636, filed by Senator Loren Legarda on April 17, 2024.

This study aims to explore the lived experiences of solid waste management workers in Cardona, Rizal, with a particular focus on the occupational hazards they encounter and their compensation needs. Specifically, it seeks:

• To identify the common occupational hazards faced by solid waste management workers and its effects of these hazards on their physical, mental, and emotional well-being in Cardona, Rizal.
• To determine the coping mechanisms employed by workers to manage job-related risks.
• To assess the perceptions of solid waste management workers regarding their current compensation and benefits.
• To recommend improvements in occupational safety, health policies, and compensation packages based on the workers’ insights and experiences.

Literature Review

Tshivhase et al. (2022) carried out a study known as "Occupational Health and Safety Hazards Among Solid Waste Handlers at a Selected Municipality in South Africa," which looked at the occupational hazards experienced by waste handlers within a municipality of the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province. Adopting a qualitative, exploratory, and contextual research design, the researchers administered in-depth interviews with 18 purposively selected participants. The research enumerated several occupational hazards, grouped into physical, psychosocial, biological, and chemical risks, and further divided into subcategories including exposure to extreme weather and musculoskeletal damage. The results showed that most of these are avoidable, highlighting the importance of the municipality ensuring that enough protective gear is given to reduce working conditions to better standards and risks for solid waste workers.

Likewise, Baral (2018), in his "Waste Workers and Occupational Health Risks," editorial in the International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health (IJOSH), describes in detail the serious health risks involved in the work of waste workers in Nepal. He points out that these workers, who come from marginalized sections of society, are exposed to a number of infectious agents, harmful chemicals, and unsafe working conditions, and thus suffer from respiratory ailments, skin diseases, and even mental illness. The piece also highlights socio-economic hardships among waste workers like low pay, deplorable living conditions, and lack of social recognition and, at the same time, underscores the urgency of policy actions to enhance their occupational safety as well as well-being.

For the Philippines, Gumasing and Sasot (2019) explored a study called "An Occupational Risk Analysis of Garbage Collection Tasks in the Philippines" whose objective was to determine and analyze the occupational risks encountered by garbage collectors in the Philippines. Applying the mixed-method study, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) and injuries such as cuts, insect bites, eye irritation, sprains, and rashes, caused mainly by poor personal protective equipment (PPE) and manual handling of heavy loads, were analyzed. Ergonomic instruments such as the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) and NIOSH Lifting Equation were applied to classify risk factors into health, environment, and task components. Statistical analysis showed strong correlations between demographic characteristics of workers, environmental conditions, and occupational hazards. On the basis of these results, the study recommended a risk reduction plan to reduce workplace hazards and enhance the safety situation of garbage collectors in the Philippines.

In addition to this, Gowda, Gurusiddappa, and Kalikeri (2023) performed a research titled "Study on Occupational Health Hazards of Municipal Solid Waste Workers – A Review," analyzing the different types of health threats among municipal solid waste (MSW) workers around the world. The study revealed that working in poor environments, poor equipment for protection, and insufficient understanding of waste handling lead to occupational risks. These hazards entail biological exposure to infectious agents, chemical risks from poisonous material, and physical stress from hard work. Typical ailments among MSW laborers include musculoskeletal condition, respiratory diseases, headaches, and dermatological and gastrointestinal diseases, with long-term exposure causing asthma and allergies. The research put particular emphasis on the contributions of poor education and socio-economic conditions in aggravating these risks, highlighting the imperative for enhanced safety controls and health interventions among municipal waste workers.

Apostol et al. (2020) performed a study intended to evaluate the occupational hazards encountered by municipal solid waste collectors in one of the city subdivisions in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. Waste collectors were interviewed with the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire and an occupational hazard survey. Worker posture pictures were also examined by the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) to identify occupational injury risk factors. Findings revealed that activities like picking up trash, passing waste to segregators, and sorting garbage put workers into unfavorable postures with high to very high risk, which augments the potential for musculoskeletal disorders and injury, most notably open wounds. The study concluded that waste collectors are commonly exposed to harmful working conditions and suggested measures for subdivisions and contractors to reduce occupational risks and enhance worker safety.

Further, Mariano and Matias (2019) identified that Filipino solid waste collectors are subjected to several occupational health hazards because the process of collecting waste is done manually. In this study, the prevalence of musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and dermatological symptoms among workers collecting solid waste was explored. The findings showed that musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) were the highest at 39.55%, followed by gastrointestinal (21.54%) and dermatological diseases (12.86%). Key risk factors for MSDs were age, education, alcohol use, work demands, and walking distances. Gastrointestinal symptoms correlated with sleep time, alcohol use, frequency of bathing, and support from the community. Dermatological problems correlated with cigarette smoking, work pressure, work difficulty, and institutional non- biodegradable waste exposure. The research calls for enhanced working conditions, health interventions, and policy changes to safeguard the health of solid waste collectors.

Comparing these studies in aggregate, there is a recurring theme of the occupational hazards that afflict solid waste workers across the globe. The studies generally point to physical, biological, chemical, and psychosocial hazards that waste workers face due to poor safety conditions, deficiency of protective gear, and hard labor conditions. Additionally, socio-economic determinants like low pay, non-recognition, and bad working conditions add to these problems. The importance of policy action, better safety training, and better workplace conditions is highlighted in various studies.

In the context of the present study, "Lived Experiences of Solid Waste Management Workers in Cardona, Rizal: A Qualitative Inquiry into Occupational Hazards and Compensation Needs," the existing literature forms a solid ground for the understanding of the occupational hazards of waste workers in the world. The results of past research underscore the importance of researching grassroots experiences in Cardona, Rizal, to establish if similar hazards prevail and how they affect workers' health and economic security. This research will add to the expanding literature by exploring the unique occupational hazards of waste workers in this municipality and providing perspectives on possible interventions to enhance their working conditions and compensation mechanisms.

In this research, the phenomenological approach of qualitative research was employed. Phenomenological approach seeks to understand and interpret people's lived experiences and the meaning they give to these experiences. In the context of this research, it is seeking to delve into the experience of solid waste management workers in Cardona, Rizal, specifically concerning occupational hazards and compensation requirements.

A total of 20 solid waste management employees who represented the 100% of total population of workers who are exposed to occupational risk in the Solid Waste Management Department in Cardona, Rizal, were interviewed through focus group discussions (FGD) to obtain in-depth information on their occupational hazards and compensation requirements.         These participants were purposively chosen for their direct involvement in waste collection, disposal, and management to ensure that the study picked up a wide array of views. FGDs provided spaces for participants to freely articulate their difficulties, health hazards, safety issues, and the sufficiency of their compensation and protection. By means of active analysis, prevalent themes and substantial patterns were singled out, tending to offer an in-depth account of the lived experiences of the solid waste management workers in the municipality.

The Common Occupational Hazards Faced By Solid Waste Management Workers

Table 1: Common Occupational Hazards Faced by Solid Waste Management Workers and effects of these hazards on their physical, mental, and emotional well-being in Cardona, Rizal. in Cardona, Riza

The findings indicate that solid waste management workers in Cardona, Rizal, face multiple occupational hazards categorized into physical, biological, and psychosocial risks. These hazards not only compromise their health and safety but also have profound effects on their mental and emotional well-being, necessitating urgent improvements in working conditions and policy support.

Physical Hazards

The most common physical hazards are caused by heavy manual work and exposure to extreme environmental conditions. The workers suffer from chronic musculoskeletal pain due to lifting and carrying heavy loads on a daily basis, as one of the participants put it:

"Lagi po kaming nakakaramdam ng pananakit ng katawan, lalo na sa likod at balikat, kasi mabibigat ang basura na binubuhat namin araw-araw."

This implies that the absence of ergonomic support and mechanical lifting equipment is responsible for long-term physical stress, where the risk for injuries and musculoskeletal disorders is enhanced.

Workers are also very susceptible to slips, trips, and falls, particularly in the rainy months when roads get slippery:

"Madaras kaming nadudulas o nadadapa dahil sa basa at madulas na daan lalo na kapag umuulan."

This points towards the necessity of more protective footwear and enhanced safety measures to reduce such incidents.

They are also exposed to harsh weather conditions, which cause heat strokes, colds, and other weather-related diseases:

"Nakakaranas kami ng init ng araw at ulan dahil wala kaming sapat na panangga."

This reflects a lack of proper protective clothing and shelter, which can adversely affect their overall well-being.

In addition, the availability of sharp objects in trash materials is likely to lead to deep cuts and puncture injuries with minimal use of protective gloves:

"Minsan may mga basurang matutulis at nabubutas ang gloves namin kaya natutusok ang kamay."

The lack of long-lasting protective gloves and proper handling tools makes them more susceptible to infection and grievous injury.

Lastly, employees complained of the hardships of hauling trash along sloping roads, which caused them physical fatigue and extra effort:

"Nahihirapan kami kapag matarik ang daan at kailangang iakyat o ibaba ang mabibigat na basura."

This supports the necessity of better waste collection facilities to mitigate the workload.

Biological Hazards:

The fact that the laborers are daily exposed to hazardous wastes makes their biological risk especially high. Such exposure subjects the workers to infections from sharps contaminated with substances and rodent bites:

"Mga pagkakataon na nakakakagat kami ng daga o natutusok ng mga basurang may dugo."

This stresses how important proper handling and segregation processes of wastes ought to be as a preventive measure against coming in contact with toxic waste.

Respiratory diseases are also a serious issue, as employees often breathe in dust, poisonous gases, and stench:

"Madalas kaming magkaubo at sipon, baka dahil sa alikabok at mabahong amoy ng basura."

This implies that long-term exposure to airborne contaminants can result in long-term respiratory issues, which might necessitate preventive health interventions like masks and periodic medical check-ups.

Workers are also exposed to rotting organic trash, which causes infestation by flies, maggots, and other disease-causing organisms:

"May mga basurang panis o nabubulok na, kaya maraming langaw at minsan may uodpa."

This poses a risk of bacterial infection and food poisoning, highlighting the importance of sanitation and proper waste disposal practices.

Another important issue is the infestation of rats and cockroaches in waste disposal areas, which are carriers of infectious diseases:

"Kapag nagtatapon kami ng basura, may mga daga at ipis na lumalabas, minsan nakakakagat pa."

This reflects the need for vector control action to control health risks of rodent and insect infestations.

Direct contact with waste materials also triggers rashes, infection, and allergic reactions, particularly when prompt hygiene measures are lacking:

"Minsan nagkakaroon kami ng galis at pangangati sa katawan lalo na kapag hindi agad nakakapaghugas."

This underscores the requirement of available washing facilities and personal protective devices to mitigate the likelihood of skin infections.

Psychosocial Hazards:

Aside from physical and biological hazards, employees also suffer from mental and emotional strain caused by unhygienic working conditions and social discrimination. Most employees worry about getting diseases because of inadequate protective measures, so they always feel anxious:

"Wala pong sapat na proteksyon sa amin, kaya minsan natatakot din kami sa mga sakit na pwedeng makuha."

This is a reminder that stronger occupational health programs with routine health check- ups and vaccination schemes are necessary.

Further, social discrimination has an impact on workers' morale, as some indicate that society undervalues their work:

"Minsan po, nakakaramdam kami ng diskriminasyon, parang mababa tingin ng iba sa trabaho namin."

This necessitates public campaigns to raise awareness of the key role waste management workers play in ensuring public health and environmental integrity.

Workers further report significant stress at work arising from manpower inadequacy and overloading:

"Madalas din kaming makaranas ng stress at pagod, lalo na kapag kulang kami sa tao at sobrang dami ng basura."

This highlights the need for better workforce management and hiring additional personnel to reduce burnout and fatigue.

Financial stress is another significant concern, as low wages make it difficult for workers to support their families:

"Hindi po ganun kalaki ang sahod namin, kaya minsan mahirap tustusan ang pangangailangan ng pamilya."

This necessitates just wage policies and welfare aid programs for better living standards for workers.

Additionally, lack of job security and health insurance adds to the anxieties of workers about the future:

"Walang masyadong benepisyo kaya minsan nag-aalala kami kapag nagkakasakit."

This attests to the need for intervention from government and business sectors to institute health insurance, social security, and other critical benefits.

The findings reveal that Cardona, Rizal solid waste management workers experience several occupational hazards affecting their physical well-being, mental health, and emotional stability. To counteract these problems, enhanced safety practices, protective gear, health care access, improved

The results show that Cardona, Rizal solid waste management workers utilize diverse coping strategies in dealing with job hazards to safeguard their physical and emotional well-being as well as safety. Protective equipment like masks and gloves to reduce exposure to harmful waste and airborne pathogens are among the top coping strategies used. Some employees did complain, though, of needing to buy their own protective gear because their employers were not providing enough, a lack of safety measures in the workplace. "Kami na lang po ang bumibili ng gloves at mask kasi minsan walang supply galing sa munisipyo," said one worker, which shows their initiative but also calls for greater government or employer assistance in offering safety gear.

Workers also prioritize health and hygiene by practicing immediate bathing, changing clothes, and frequent handwashing to prevent infections. One participant shared, “Pag-uwi po, diretso agad sa paliligo at palit ng damit para hindi na mahawa ang pamilya sa dumi at bacteria.” This practice reflects their awareness of health risks and their proactive approach to minimizing contamination. In order to provide safety at work, employees are careful when they are dealing with dangerous substances and have frequent short breaks to prevent heatstroke, demonstrating their practical sense of self-defense. One employee clarified, "Kapag sobrang init po, umiiwas kami sa diretso sa araw at nagpapahinga saglit para hindi mahilo." These self-initiated actions, though, demonstrate the necessity for rigorous safety procedures and improved working conditions.

On cases of illnesses, employees obtain medical treatment at health centers and undergo vitamin intake for immunity strengthening. According to a worker, "Nagpapa-check up po kami sa health center kapag may sakit at uminom ng vitamins para lumakas ang resistensya." This demonstrates their initiatives for self-preservation even if healthcare services and benefits are scarce. In addition to physical well-being, employees depend on social contact with coworkers, the exchange of humor and conversation to cope with workplace stress. As one worker put it, "Nagkukwentuhan at nagtatawanan na lang po kami para gumaan ang pakiramdam sa trabaho." Being motivated by the importance of their work to society also makes them more resilient and satisfied in their jobs, as one worker explained, "Nakakagaan po ng loob na alam naming mahalaga ang ginagawa namin sa kalinisan ng bayan."

It is financially that employees employ coping mechanisms such as working sideline jobs, disciplined budgeting, and borrowing, highlighting their economic hardship and absence of financial security. "Minsan po nag-eextra trabaho sa construction o paglalabada para may dagdag kita," revealed one of the participants. The financial strain is added to their burdens, but their strength enables them to stick it out even with meager income.

Generally, these coping strategies indicate the resilience and determination of the workers in managing occupational hazards. Nevertheless, their use of self-financed protective equipment, restricted access to healthcare, and economic hardship emphasize the necessity of more robust policy interventions, enhanced workplace safety interventions, and more effective worker benefits. Institutional strengthening and adequate provision of resources can go a long way in enhancing their working environment and overall well-being.

The results show that Cardona, Rizal solid waste management workers believe that their compensation and benefits are not sufficient to maintain their day-to-day needs and future financial security. Most employees find it difficult to meet basic needs such as food, electricity, and children's education because their salaries are low. As one employee explained,

"Hindi po sapat ang sahod namin para sa pang-araw-araw na gastusin, lalo na sa pagkain at bayarin."

This implies that their salaries do not reflect the increasing cost of living. Moreover, the absence of hazard pay even with their exposure to risky working conditions also contributes to their dissatisfaction. Another employee stated,

"Wala pong hazard pay kahit delikado ang trabaho namin."

In addition to low pay, the employees also pointed out the absence of social security benefits such as healthcare, insurance, and retirement schemes. Most expressed worries about having to pay medical bills out-of-pocket when they fall ill.

"Kapag nagkakasakit kami, sariling gastos ang pagpapa-check-up at gamot."

This creates the financial pressure on employees who lack access to subsidized or free healthcare. Lack of retirement benefits also makes them uncertain of their future financial well- being. An employee said,

"Walang retirement benefits, kaya kapag tumanda na, hindi na namin alam kung saan kukuha ng panggastos."

Additionally, employees stressed that government-issued protective equipment, including gloves, boots, and uniforms, was needed to make them safe when at work. Nonetheless, since they are not issued, most of them are compelled to purchase their own.

"Wala pong uniform o sapat na proteksyon, kaya kami na mismo ang bumibili."

Considering these difficulties, employees vigorously demand improved remuneration, danger pay, and social benefits. They think that increasing their compensation would not only improve their economic security but also increase their motivation and job satisfaction. An employee stated, "Kung may hazard pay at benepisyo, mas gaganahan kami sa trabaho." Additionally, they seek job regularization to secure stable employment and financial security in the long run.

"Sana po magkaroon ng regularisasyon para magkaroon kami ng mas matatag na trabaho."

In general, these results underscore the urgent requirement of government intervention in order to enhance the salaries, benefits, and working conditions of solid waste management employees. These issues could be addressed to provide not only their economic security but also dignity and well-being as vital service providers in the community.

Proposed Recommendations for Improving Occupational Safety, Health Policies, and Compensation for Solid Waste Management Workers in Cardona, Rizal

The research highlights the compelling need for policy changes to promote the occupational health, safety, and compensation of solid waste workers in Cardona, Rizal. Numerous workers stressed that there was inadequate protective equipment, putting them at higher risk for several health problems. One of the workers testified, "Madalas pong nabubutas ang gloves namin kaya natutusok ang kamay.". Minsan wala rin kaming sapat na mask kaya na-aamoy namin ang mabahong basura. To counteract this, the "Occupational Safety and Protection for Solid Waste Management Workers Ordinance" should require consistent supplying of full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as gloves, masks, boots, and protective clothing.Reasonable compensation was also a priority, as employees believed that their wages did not match the dangerous nature of their work.

One employee said, "Napakadelikado ng trabaho namin pero hindi sapat ang sahod. Sana may dagdag na hazard pay kasi nasa panganib po kami araw-araw." The "Hazard Compensation and Benefits Ordinance for Waste Management Workers" seeks to give extra compensation to workers who are exposed to risky conditions, providing them with greater financial security. In addition, employees complained of frequent illnesses caused by long exposure to garbage, with one of them saying, "Madalas kaming magkasakit, lalo na sa ubo at sipon, pero wala kaming libreng check-up o gamot." The "Health and Wellness Program for Solid Waste Management Workers Ordinance" recommends free yearly medical check-ups, immunizations, and compensation for occupational diseases. Overwork and lack of manpower were also identified as serious issues.

One employee related, "Minsan po kulang kami sa tao kaya doble-doble ang trabaho namin.\tNakakapagod po talaga." To reduce this, the "Fair Labor and Workload Distribution Policy" suggests hiring more manpower to avoid an unbalanced workload and burnout. Also, most workers are financially burdened because they earn low salaries. One employee said, "Maliit po ang sahod namin kaya minsan hindi kasya sa gastusin.". Kung may libreng training o dagdag pagkakakitaan, malaking tulong po ‘yun.” The "Sustainable Livelihood and Welfare Assistance Ordinance" proposes financial literacy programs, scholarships, and livelihood training to improve workers' economic stability. Social stigma remains a significant issue, affecting workers' morale and self-esteem. A worker complained, "Parang mababa ang tingin ng iba sa trabaho namin, pero mahalaga naman ito sa kalinisan ng bayan." To counter this, the "Public Awareness and Dignity in Waste Management Work Ordinance" seeks to enhance respect and appreciation for waste management workers by raising public awareness.

These suggestions, based on the experiences and perspectives of the workers, underscore the urgent necessity of reforms to enhance their safety, economic security, and dignity as a profession.

The research brings to light the severe occupational risks associated with solid waste management laborers in Cardona, Rizal, which include physical, biological, and psychosocial hazards that heavily affect their health, welfare, and economic security. The workers suffer from constant musculoskeletal pain, sharp object injuries, respiratory complications, and exposure to harsh weather conditions, further fueled by insufficient protective gear and overwork. The absence of just remuneration, health protection, and social respect also aggravates their woes, impacting both their morale and well-being. In spite of these difficulties, employees utilize coping strategies, including self-medication, peer help, and self-protection mechanisms, although these fall short of sufficiency without organizational intervention. Their observations show a pressing need for increased safety regulations, improved monetary incentives, and greater awareness of their role in public sanitation and environmental sustainability.

To solve these problems, the municipal government must establish policies that offer solid waste management employees proper protective equipment, regular medical check-ups, and health care service access to minimize occupational health hazards. Compensation packages should be enhanced by raising hazard pay, insurance benefits, and economic support programs to guarantee economic security. In addition, recruitment should be aimed at minimizing worker shortages to avoid overloading workers with work, while sustainable livelihood programs should be implemented to offer alternative sources of income. Public awareness campaigns should also be initiated to enhance respect and dignity for waste management workers, minimizing the stigma attached to their job. With these interventions, the quality of life among workers in the solid waste management industry can improve a lot, bringing about safer and more environmentally-friendly working conditions.