Comprehensive Assessment of Working Conditions and Occupational Disease Rates at Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises
- A.G.Chebotarev1, D.D.Sementsova2
1 Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Health, Moscow, Russian Federation
2 I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation
Russian Mining Industry №1 / 2021 р. 114-119
Abstract: The paper presents the results of hygienic assessment of the working environment and work process factors at surface and underground ore mining operations, ferrous metallurgy plants and aluminum production facilities. It has been established that workers are affected by a complex of production factors (dust, toxic substances, noise, vibration, unfavorable micro climate, etc.), the level of which often exceeds the hygienic standards. The workplace conditions of the primary jobs at these enterprises in 60-80% of cases are classified as hazardous, i.e. Class 3 of various hazard degrees. The incidence of occupational diseases remains high, especially in underground mining and at aluminum production plants. The specific features of mining and metallurgical operations and the severity of unfavorable production factors determine the structure of occupational morbidity. Occupational respiratory diseases are most common among workers in the ferrous metallurgy industry and account for 70.3% in total. Vibration-induced pathologies are most frequently diagnosed among excavator, bulldozer and dump truck operators, and account for 52.9% of all the diagnosed occupational diseases. Hearing organ pathology in the form of neurosensory loss of hearing among workers of mining and metallurgical enterprises ranges from 10.2% (aluminum smelters) to 22.7% (ferrous metallurgy plants) in the occupational morbidity structure. Chronic intoxication with fluorine compounds at aluminum smelters was diagnosed in 68.1% of cases. The results obtained confirm the pressing need to improve the working conditions, introduce preventive measures based on the primary prevention principles, and reduce the risk factors of health problems among the workers.
Keywords: working conditions, ore mining and processing, health of workers at mining and metallurgical operations, occupational morbidity
For citation: Chebotarev A.G., Sementsova D.D. Comprehensive Assessment of Working Conditions and Occupational Disease Rates at Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises. Gornaya promyshlennost = Russian Mining Industry. 2021;(1):114–119. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.30686/1609-9192-2021-1-114-119.
Article info
Received: 29.12.2020
Revised: 12.01.2021
Accepted: 28.01.2021
Information about the author
Aleksandr G. Chebotarev – Doctor of Medicine, Leading Research Associate, Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Health, Moscow, Russian Federation; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Daria D. Sementsova – I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russian Federation.
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