Priority directions for preserving the health of underground coal mining workers

Abstract

Introduction. An increase in life expectancy, a decrease in the mortality rate of the working-age population and an extension of working longevity are the most important components in the development of the human potential of the Russian Federation. We observe the most unfavorable situation with the achievement of the above-mentioned targets in coal mining.
 The study aims to substantiate the priority directions for preserving the health of workers engaged in underground coal mining in modern production conditions based on an assessment of occupational risks to prolong their working longevity.
 Materials and methods. The authors have carried out the analysis of official statistics data (state reports of Rospotrebnadzor and the annual report of Rosstat) for 2021–2022 on the state of working conditions and occupational morbidity in the coal industry. We have summarized the materials of Rosugleprof for 2006–2022 on occupational morbidity in coal industry organizations. We have presented the data of epidemiological studies in a cohort of coal miners on the example of the Rostov region.
 Results. The authors note the largest proportion of cases of occupational pathology among employees of mining enterprises — 40.3%. The most at risk are: sinkers (10.2% of all newly identified cases of occupational diseases in 2022), miners of the treatment face (6.5%), excavator drivers (4.5%). In the structure of occupational morbidity of miners, the leading place is occupied by radiculopathy — 27.0%; sensorineural hearing loss — 22.9%; vibration disease — 22.0%; respiratory diseases (occupational bronchitis, pneumoconiosis, COPD) — more than 15.5%. In a cohort of miners with an established diagnosis of occupational diseases, it was shown that the standardized relative risk (SRR) of death from diseases of the circulatory system was 1.55 times significantly higher compared with the control population.
 Mortality from malignant neoplasms in miners was 44% higher than mortality in the population (SRR=1.44). At the same time, the death rate from the subclass malignant neoplasms of the respiratory system was 2.02 (95% CI 1.85–2.20), and from malignant neoplasms of the bronchi and lungs 2.24 (95% CI 2.04–2.46). The risk of death from respiratory diseases in the cohort of miners was more than 2 times higher than the population indicator (SRR=2.18). A significantly higher frequency of deaths from this class of diseases indicates a causal relationship with dust loads. The prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) among coal mine workers is higher than among the unorganized population of large cities and other groups of industrial workers.
 Conclusion. Scientists have recorded the most unfavorable working conditions in underground coal mining, which is due to the technologies used and production conditions. The prevention of diseases among miners requires the creation of health groups and the improvement of medical examination methods. Development of an integrated information system for health monitoring and personalized preventive and rehabilitation measures. To solve this problem, it is necessary to study working conditions, scientifically substantiate preventive measures, harmonize special assessment of working conditions and develop criteria for severity and intensity of work, as well as improve the technology for assessing working conditions and personalized risk assessment.
 Ethics. The study did not require the conclusion of the Ethics committee.