Working Conditions and Occupational Morbidity at Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises of the Murmansk Region

Abstract

Introduction. The mining and metallurgical industries form the basis of the economy of the Murmansk Region. Working conditions at industrial enterprises, combined with extreme climatic conditions of the Arctic, pose an increased risk of occupational diseases. The purpose of the study was to investigate working conditions and occupational disease rates among industrial workers of the Murmansk Region in 2007–2017. Materials and methods. We studies socio-hygienic monitoring data on working conditions and occupational diseases in the population of the Murmansk Region in 2007-2017 provided by the Federal Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare, Moscow. Results. In 2008-2017, the most common occupational risk factors in the Murmansk Region included noise (25.8%), job strain (17.8%), and chemical factor (12.6%) while 39.2% of workers were exposed to a combination of occupational hazards. Over 10 years, the absolute number of workers exposed to dangerous and hazardous industrial factors decreased by 1.8 times. In the Murmansk Region, 84.3% of occupational disease cases were registered among workers of mining and metallurgical enterprises. In 2007-2017, the region experienced a significant decrease in occupational disease incidence mainly related to job cuts. The role of other factors (improvement of working conditions, health promotion) needs to be clarified; yet, it is possible to predict their positive influence on occupational morbidity in the next few years. Conclusion. To achieve a substantial decrease in occupational disease incidence rates, it is essential to keep improving comprehensive measures aimed at preserving workers’ health in the Murmansk Region.