Broken glass as an injury hazard in an indigenous community

Abstract

Reduction in glass-sourced injury is one target of an injury prevention and safety promotion project in an Indigenous community in Queensland. The research into broken glass litter had three principal objectives of determining the extent of the problem, devising workable strategies within the local context and assessing the outcome and impact following implementation of those strategies. Surveys, individual interviews, Photovoice®, observations and injury data collection forms were utilised to determine the extent of the problem and gather perceptions from the community. Data collected supported the community’s view that broken glass was an abundant source of litter, with the majority of respondents also stating they had been injured by broken glass. Strategies to improve the amounts of broken glass litter were centred upon what caused people to litter in the first place. Working collaboratively with the Aboriginal Shire Council and Community Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion Project group a waste management plan was developed which increased the number of waste facilities, aired a public awareness campaign including antilitter posters, and developed plans for a recycling plant.