UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA INTERNATIONAL TRAINING IN RESEARCH IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH (ITREOH): CAPACITY BUILDING IN SOUTHERN AFRICA—INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM FOR MINING HEALTH AND SAFETY

Abstract

ISEE-212 Introduction: Mining and mineral processing account for 80% of foreign exports in Zambia and 45% in Zimbabwe, and continues to be one of the most dangerous professions. Through a cooperative program involving the University of Arizona College of Public Health, the Department of Mining and Geological Engineering, University of Zambia, and University of Zimbabwe, we are training scientists from this region to evaluate and control adverse health effects due to mining and mineral processing, as well as carrying out research to support this mission. Methods: There are three main foci of the program: 1) train African scientists in occupational hygiene, mining engineering, and epidemiology at the masters’ level; 2) provide regional training in occupational health, mine safety, mining engineering, and community evaluation; 3) conduct in-country research including noise, dust and metals exposure, engineering controls and personal respirators, respiratory health. Short courses, each lasting one to two weeks, are offered in Zambia and Zimbabwe to mining engineers and individuals responsible for environmental and occupational health. Each course focuses on health assessment approaches and both occupational and public health interventions to limit morbidity and mortality from mining and related activities. Injury prevention and field research methods are emphasized and the uses of monitoring instruments are incorporated in the courses. Results: Initial masters level training conducted at the University of Arizona has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa in order to improve cost and time efficiency. The blended (computer-based and face-to-face) learning has been very well received. Equipment left in Zambia and Zimbabwe has been subsequently used extensively to measure occupational exposures. The provision of computer networks has laid the foundation for an expansion of eLearning courses. In addition to masters level training, research projects sponsored under the program have assisted undergraduate students in mining and metallurgy to complete their degree requirements. Discussion: Given limited resources, our focus has been on training in occupational hygiene in order to measure and reduce workplace exposures. Research productivity has lagged behind the training effort. Our goal is to focus future research on workplace interventions, and to share the information collected with mining health and safety professionals in the region, through the use of additional training efforts and our computer network.