A participative approach to develop safety indicators for waste management system

Introduction
A participative based in the workers’ activity analysis were used to develop safety indicators of the environmental waste management system of a dental clinic in a public university. The level of environmental safety in waste management is as higher as the knowledge of adequate waste management practices are applied throughout the production process, from procurement of supplies, especially risk materials and equipment until the final destination of products, with the proper disposal of waste arising at each stage of the process, according to health and safety at work principles including sustainability and environment preservation. 

Methods
The method begin with an overall assessment of the organization and selection of the study unit. After a formal consultation with unit leaders the study receives an approval and we start visits to work places and support areas to get basic information about workflow and people activities. Data collection was based on activities direct observation, questionnaires, semi structured interviews, and workshops with focal groups to enable the development of safety indicators for waste management.

Results
A tested method to develop safety indicators as an instrument for managers make informed decisions related to the reduction of waste generation and work accidents during waste manipulation. 

Discussion
The approach based on work analysis in areas with hazardous waste generation enable a participative way for identification of environmental safety indicators in the various phases of the work, enabling minimize waste generation, better waste disposal and decrease the volume of these wastes and their degree of dangerousness in their final disposition environmentally appropriate.