Working conditions and occupational risk for workers employed in the open-pit coal mining sector

Abstract

Introduction. At coal mining enterprises, working conditions are characterized by an aggregate of hazard factors. The literature does not enough provide information on the hygienic assessment of working conditions and the health status of workers in open-pit coal mining. Material and methods. Hygienic assessment of working conditions was performed at the workplaces of the basic occupations of workers employed at the open-pit coal mining. Occupational morbidity (OM) was analyzed for 2000-2019 years. Occupational risks were assessed as with Fine&Kinney method, matrix method, and Guide R 2.2.1766-2003; we also performed a semi-quantitative risk assessment. Results. Equivalent noise levels for a work shift exceeded hygiene standard by up to 4-12.2 dBA; whole-body vibration - up to 12.3 dB; hand-arm vibration - up to 10.9 dB. Coal dust concentrations exceeded MPC by 1.1-3.2 times. According to parameters characterizing hazards, labor hardness, and labor intensity, working conditions correspond to 3.2-3.3 hazard category. Leading place among occupational disease cases occupy vibration disease and sensorineural hearing loss (63.5[48.8-81.5]% 34.3[10.7-46.3]% accordingly). OR for employees of basic occupations is classified as high. Discussion. Results of working conditions and OR assessment are partially consistent with the other authors’ studies. OM structure in the Irkutsk region coal mining differs from the OM in other regions, due to the peculiarities of the technological process, mining, geological and climatic conditions. Conclusion. The results indicate the lack of effectiveness of existing preventive measures and the necessity to develop a set of measures to preserve the workers’ health employed at open-pit coal mining.