GUIDELINES FOR ENERGETIC LOAD IN 3 METHODS OF REFUSE COLLECTING

The energetic load and guidelines were formulated for energetic load i n three methods of refuse Collecting. These methods were collecting re fuse in polythene bags (in a city area and in a suburb), in two-wheele d mini-containers and in large four-wheeled containers. To determine t he energetic load of the collecting methods, these collecting methods were simulated in the laboratory. The simulation protocols were based on data such as weight of the handled materials, and the frequency and duration of the most prominent refuse collecting activities as found in the preliminary field study. During the execution of the protocols the heart rate and oxygen uptake were continuously recorded. The maxim al oxygen uptake was determined during a continuous running protocol o n a treadmill. The energetic load was expressed in terms of percentage Of the maximal oxygen uptake. As the limit for the energetic load a v alue of 30% of the maximal oxygen uptake during an 8-h working day was chosen. The limit for energetic overload was exceeded for the maximal oxygen uptake for refuse collecting with polythene bags in a city are a (44.5%), collecting with bags in a suburb (37.2%) and with mini-cont ainers. The percentage of the maximal oxygen uptake for collecting wit h large containers was 28.4%, which was below the limit for the energe tic load of 30%. Guidelines were formulated for the relevant occupatio nal field terms: maximal amount of collecting hours and maximal amount of collected refuse per collector per hour. The guidelines were formu lated in percentiles (P-90 and P-75). This means that 90 and 75% Of th e refuse collecting population in The Netherlands will be prevented fr om having an energetic overload above the limit of 30% of the maximal oxygen uptake.