LABOR CONDITIONS AND RISK OF OCCUPATIONAL PATHOLOGY AT THE ENTERPRISES OF THE ARCTIC ZONE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Abstract

Human labor activity in the Arctic takes place in extreme climatic conditions, which significantly increase the indicator of integral professional risk. The aim of the research is to study working conditions and the risks of developing professional pathology among employees of enterprises in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation (AZRF). Methods. The data of socio-hygienic monitoring and information on occupational morbidity in the Russian Arctic in 2007-2017 were studied. Results. It has been stated that at the workplaces of enterprises in the Russian Arctic, the most common hazardous and harmful production factors are noise, severity and intensity of the labor process, chemical factors. Most often, professional pathology is detected in workers of mining and metallurgical enterprises in the cities of Vorkuta and Norilsk, as well as in the Murmansk Region (71.1 % of cases). The maximum prevalence of occupational diseases, which is 5-30 times higher than the similar indicators in other areas of the Russian Arctic, is observed among Vorkuta miners. Due to the effects of chronic cold stress in the Russian Arctic, the work experience sufficient for the development of occupational diseases can be reduced to 5-7 years. In four regions (the Nenets and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Districts, the regions of the Russian Arctic and the Komi Republic and the Krasnoyarsk Territory) there is an upward tendency of occupational morbidity indicators, and in three (the Murmansk Region, regions of the Russian Arctic of the Arkhangelsk Region and the Republic of Sakha) - to its decrease. In the Russian Arctic, in contrast to Russia as a whole, no decrease in the incidence of occupational morbidity has been observed in the last four years. Conclusions: there is a necessity to improve the system of socio-hygienic monitoring and develop more effective methods for occupational diseases prevention when carrying out activities in the Arctic.