Risks of loss of professional health among employees of a gas transportation company operating in conditions equated to the Far North

Abstract

Introduction. Identifying the causes of contraindications to continuing work at gas transportation enterprises is an important task for preserving the professional longevity of their employees.
 The study aims to assess the risks of determining contraindications to continuing work under the influence of harmful and dangerous production factors typical for a gas transportation enterprise operating in conditions equated to the Far North.
 Materials and methods. The authors have analyzed the results of the examination of the professional suitability of employees of the main and auxiliary production facilities at the gas transportation enterprise operating in the territory equated to the Far North over three-year period.
 Results. There are contraindications to work in the conditions of the Far North and equivalent areas in all professional groups due to the pathology of the gastrointestinal tract and dental diseases. A typical reason for determining contraindications to work at height are refractive errors. Industrial noise is the main harmful production factor for gas transportation enterprises, however, even in groups specializing in the maintenance of noise-hazardous equipment, scientists have identified contraindications to working under its influence with a frequency of no more than 7.0%. Their main cause is sensorineural hearing loss in the stage from moderate to higher. General medical contraindications in most cases were due to pathology of the circulatory system and endocrine diseases. The most common contraindications to continuing work exist for employees of auxiliary production: car drivers and firefighters. This circumstance is due to the most stringent requirements of regulations for their health. The risk of loss of professional fitness among workers of the main production is significantly reduced when conducting planned wellness programs and redistributing production tasks.
 Limitations. At an enterprise operating in southern climatic zones and using less noisy hazardous equipment, other results can be obtained.
 Conclusion. Differences in the working conditions of the company's employees determine the significantly different risks of their loss of professional health due to chronic diseases. For employees of the main production of the gas transportation enterprise engaged in work with harmful and dangerous working conditions, there are the greatest risks of determining contraindications for performing work in conditions of industrial noise and working at height, due to the development of diseases of the circulatory system and sensorineural hearing loss.