Stone Quarry Workers Research Articles

Hazards, Practices and Health Outcomes of Stone Quarry Workers of Mahendragarh, Haryana: A Socio-Demographic Analysis

Hazards, Practices and Health Outcomes of Stone Quarry Workers of Mahendragarh, Haryana: A Socio-Demographic Analysis

Impact of annual TB screening on stone quarry workers in high-incidence Portuguese municipalities.

<sec id="st1"><title>SETTING</title>The Portuguese municipalities of Penafiel and Marco de Canaveses are high TB incidence areas, where stone quarry workers represent a vulnerable population.</sec><sec id="st2"><title>OBJECTIVE</title>To assess the annual rate of TB infection (ARI) in stone quarry workers and to compare it with the TB notification rate in the general community.</sec><sec id="st3"><title>DESIGN</title>An annual TB infection screening strategy using interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) was implemented in 2018 for workers from high-risk stone quarries. A prospective cohort was enrolled and workers screened in periods of 2 years were included. IGRA-positive workers were referred for preventive treatment. ARI was calculated as the proportion of workers with IGRA conversion.</sec><sec id="st4"><title>RESULTS</title>Of the 232 IGRA-negative workers in 2018, 20 tested positive in 2019 (8.6% ARI). Of 171 IGRA-negative workers in 2019, eight tested positive in 2021 (4.7% in 2 years). Two of the 150 IGRA-negative workers in 2021 tested positive in 2022 (1.3% ARI). ARI decreased by 84.9% between 2019 and 2022. In the two municipalities, the TB notification rate declined 23.9% between 2018 and 2021.</sec><sec id="st5"><title>CONCLUSION</title>A more pronounced reduction in ARI was observed among stone quarry workers regularly screened for TB infection compared to the notification rate among the general population in high-incidence municipalities. A screening strategy for high-risk populations, together with enforced community measures, could foster risk reduction in the community.</sec>.

An assessment of the immune status of some stone quarry workers in Ondo state, Nigeria.

Stone quarry activities in Nigeria are mostly unregulated such that the workers in these quarries are continuously exposed to the inhalation of silica dust. It has been observed that silica dust particles negatively impact the health of stone quarry workers which usually manifest as respiratory difficulties, asthma-like illnesses and other adventitious events of the lungs. The study was designed to evaluate the probable immunological impact of silica dust inhalation from stone crushing by workers. Blood samples were collected from consenting workers and analyzed for total white blood cells and their subsets. Absolute CD4 cells numbers were also determined. The results indicated that neutrophils and eosinophils numbers increased significantly (P < .05) and CD4 counts declined significantly (P < .001). Alteration in these proportions is a pointer to the injurious impact of silica dust on the immune system of these workers. The findings in this study should spur actions in the education of these workers on the need for the use of proper personal protection equipment and the establishment of a scheme to periodically carry out a health assessment check to identity those at most risk of developing chronic illnesses.

Spirometric Evaluation among Individuals Working in Stone Chip Crushing Factories: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Silicosis is still one of the most serious occupational health diseases in the world because of its potential to cause physical impairment. It is a progressive and debilitating occupational lung disease that primarily affects workers in the manufacturing, construction and mining industries. Silicosis is mostly caused by inhaling crystalline silica dust. Still, a substantial study on the lung health of stone quarry workers in Western Bengal are still lacking. Aim: To determine the alterations in pulmonary function status (by spirometry) and evaluate the gender differences in pulmonary mechanics among workers affected by occupational silica dust. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for a duration of three months to analyse the spirometric changes in lung function among 62 workers exposed to occupational silica dust, aged 18 to 60 years (both genders), attending the Department of Physiology at Rampurhat Government Medical College, West Bengal, India. After obtaining anthropometric measurements, including height and weight of the subjects, spirometry was carried out on each patient according to the recommendations of American Thoracic Society (ATS) and European Respiratory Society (ERS) (2005). Patients were grouped into categories of normal, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), restrictive pattern, mixed ventilatory defect, and Small Airflow Obstruction (SAO) based on spirometric values of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1 ), FEV1/ FVC, Forced mid-Expiratory Flow (FEF25%-75%), and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) values. Analysis was performed using GraphPad QuickCalcs software using Chi-square test and Unpaired t-test. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 49.6 years, with 51 (82.26%) males and 11 (17.74%) females among the 62 study subjects. There were 36 (58.06%) smokers and 26 (41.94%) non smokers. The average Body Mass Index (BMI) of the study subjects was 17.268±2.501 kg/m2 (underweight category). A significant reduction in spirometric variables was observed below the lower normal limit of percent predicted, including FVC (80-120%), FEV1 (80-120%), PEFR (&gt;60% predicted value for men; up to 100 L/min lower than predicted for males, and 85 L/min for females), FEF25%-75% (50%-60% and up to 130% of the average), and Forced Expiratory Time (FET) (6 secs), except for the FEV1 /FVC ratio (70-85%), which was higher than the normal limit. The majority of the study subjects belonged to the mixed ventilatory defect category, comprising 36 subjects (58.06%), 17 (27.42%) had a Restrictive Spirometric Pattern (RSP), while the remaining 9 subjects (14.52%) were classified as normal. Conclusion: Detectable spirometric changes have been observed among stone quarry workers, revealing not only restrictive patterns but also mixed ventilatory defects. Necessary preventive and interventional measures should be taken at an early phase to prevent further progression of lung impairment in such a population.

Renal Impairments in Stone Quarry Workers

Renal Impairments in Stone Quarry Workers

Cumulative Effect of Quarry Dust on Respiratory Health of Stone Quarry Workers

Cumulative Effect of Quarry Dust on Respiratory Health of Stone Quarry Workers

Occupational health hazards of stone quarry workers of Nagaland, India

Background: Occupational health is a neglected public health issue among healthcare workers in developing countries. The quarrying sector poses large risks to occupational health and safety.&#x0D; Objectives: The objectives of this study are to investigate the impact of stone dust on cardiovascular and pulmonary health of stone quarry workers among an indigenous population of north-east India.&#x0D; Sample and Methods: This study was conducted in Wokha district of Nagaland, North-East India. A total number of 152 Lotha male stone quarry workers with age cohort 18-60 years and an ethnicity and age matching 152 adult males as the controls were selected for the present study. Blood pressures (both systolic and diastolic), oxygen saturation, pulse rate and forced vital capacity (FVC) were measured on each participant. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated following standard equation. Multivariate multiple regression (MMR) analysis was used to test the effect of stone dust on the workers.&#x0D; Results: Preliminary statistics showed significant difference between the exposed and control groups in body weight, BMI, oxygen saturation and pulse rate (p&lt;0.05). MMR results suggested that quarry workers revealed significantly (p&lt;0.0001) lower systolic blood pressure (SBP), oxygen saturation and vital capacity of lungs and higher pulse rate than their counterpart control group.&#x0D; Conclusions: The study concluded that the exposure to stone dust among the quarry workers perhaps leads to deterioration of their cardiovascular and pulmonary health.

Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Program on Knowledge regarding the Prevention of Work-related Locomotion Problems among the workers of Stone Crushing Plants of Thoubal District, Manipur

Workers take a major role in our day today life to fulfill the major needs. Musculoskeletal problems are most prevalent health problem among the stone quarry workers, and there is wide prevalence of lack of practice of safety measures among the stone quarry workers. A study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching program on knowledge regarding the prevention of work related locomotion problems among the workers of stone crushing plants. This study was conducted in Stone crushing plants of Thoubal district, Manipur. The research design used for this study is Pre experimental research design (one group pre-test post-test design). The data was collected to assess the pretest and posttest level of knowledge about the prevention of work related locomotion problems .Sample size was 60 and non-probability purposive sampling technique was used in this study. .By using descriptive and inferential statistics the data collected has been analyzed and interpreted. The findings were: Major findings of the study revealed that the pretest knowledge score of the study, 40% of workers having inadequate knowledge during pre- test and 60% of respondent had moderate knowledge and adequate 0%. The pretest mean value is 12.31 with standard deviation of 3.2. The posttest mean value was 25.7 with standard deviation of 2.04. The calculated’ value (27.8) is greater than table value. After implementing the structured teaching program, the workers knowledge was increased. Hence the structured teaching program was effective. There is no association between the pretest knowledge score with demographic variables.

Occupational Heat Stress, Heavy Workload and Adverse Renal Health Outcomes–A Cross-Sectional Study Among Stone Quarry Workers in South India

Occupational Heat Stress, Heavy Workload and Adverse Renal Health Outcomes–A Cross-Sectional Study Among Stone Quarry Workers in South India

Determining pulmonary function and the associated risk factors among stone quarry workers in a suburban area of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Background:Stone quarrying activities generate dust and fine particulate matters of silica and heavy metals. The prolonged exposure to suspended particulates leads to fatal respiratory complications. Occupational pulmonary complications are poorly characterized among quarry workers in Tamil Nadu.Objectives:This study aims to assess pulmonary function and determine the associated risk factors among quarry workers.Materials and Methods:A comparative, cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2014 to January 2015 among workers at seven stone quarries in Chennai and residents within a 5 Km radius. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) and sputum analysis were done.Results:Overall, 670 participants were enrolled in the study, with a median age of 37 years. Comparatively, the mean PFT measures were significantly lower in quarry workers with a higher proportion of airflow obstruction and tuberculosis infection.Conclusion:The risk of airflow obstruction among quarry workers increased with smoking and longer duration of work years in quarry.

A cross sectional study of the morbidity pattern among stone quarry workers and their associated risk factors

Background: Construction sector is a thriving industry which comprises most of the unorganized workers and providing widespread opportunities for employment of most of the poorest and marginalized sections of society in India. The workers are more susceptible to various occupational hazards due to working conditions in dusty environment. This study is proposed to identify the morbidity pattern, availability and usage of safety measures, health care seeking behaviour and health care facilities at the quarry site.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among the stone quarry workers of Maduranthakam area in Kancheepuram district from February 2018 to May 2018. The sample size was calculated as 94 and five quarries were selected randomly. The study tool was interview based semi structured questionnaire and clinical examination. Appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics like Chi square test, Fischer’s exact test was done to determine significant association (p&lt;0.05).Results: The common morbidities among the participants were abdominal conditions (54%), injuries (34%) and musculoskeletal disorders (27%). One in five individuals had respiratory problems and those with breathing difficulty had decreased peak expiratory flow rate. Usage of personal protective equipments is low and about 63.8% of them were using government health care facilities.Conclusions: Increasing demand for stone and aggregates has led to extensive stone quarrying operations. Awareness and enforcement of personal protective equipment, vaccination against diseases like tetanus, periodic health check- ups should be enforced for people working in quarries.

Perceived Thermal Response of Stone Quarry Workers in Hot Environment

Introduction: Impact of heat on health of workers goes unrecognized by the virtue of the indispensable fact that every individual has varied perception and tolerance capacity. The present study determine the physiological signs with perceived subjective responses under the thermal stress.Materials and Methods: The study was spread on open field stone quarry workers (N = 934) during the summer (May to June), post monsoon (September to October), and winter (December to January).Results: In the summer months, dry bulb temperature range from 36.1 to 43.2°C and the distribution of Wet Bulb Globe temperature (WBGT) outdoor values were outlier-prone than normal distribution indicated heat vulnerability. The environmental effect on weighted average skin temperature (Tsk) local segmental Tsk and deep body temperature (Tcr) were greater than the effects that might be attributed to work severity. The tolerance time level in summer months (65 ± 13 min at WBGT 35 ± 2.3°C) was less than in other two season. About 85% of workers in summer, 68% in post monsoon and 79% in winter recorded working heart rate greater than 90 beats/min. Physiological and subjective responses to heat stress indicated that during summer month the workers complained of excessive sweating (93.5%), feeling of thirst/dry mouth (88.7%), elevated Core temperature (Tcr) (58.7%) and decreased working capacity (75.6%). The observation found that around 14% workers were vulnerable to heat stress and the workers had no knowledge to mitigate the heat related illnesses.Discussion and Conclusions: The stone quarry work as compared to other outdoor workers have environmental adversaries which becomes confounding variables in the study of such occupations. There was significant difference (p &amp;lt; 0.001) as far as the physiological and thermoregulatory responses were concerned in three different months of investigation.

Air Quality in the Working Environment and Respiratory Health of Female Congolese Stone Quarry Workers.

Background and Aim. Environmental and occupational exposure to high dust levels are known to be associated with lung function impairment. We assessed the ambient air quality in the working environment and the respiratory health of female stone quarry workers in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a context of severe economic, security, and health crises. Methods. This was a case-control study conducted in three stone quarry sites. Participants were 256 dust-exposed female stone quarry workers matched to 256 unexposed female office workers and market tax collectors (N = 512). They each answered a structured respiratory health questionnaire and underwent physical examination and a lung function test with the use of a spirometer and peak flow meter. Quality of ambient air in the working environment was assessed by means of a BRAMC air quality monitor (BR-AIR-329). Results. Results showed that exposed women did not use any personal protective equipment (PPE); in quarry sites, abnormally high levels of PM2.5 (205 ± 13.2 μg/m3 vs. 31.3 ± 10.3 μg/m3 in control sites; p < 0.001) and volatile organic compounds (VOC, 2.2 ± 0.2 μg/m3 vs. 0.5 ± 0.3 μg/m3, respectively; p < 0.01) were found. Furthermore, respiratory complaints were more common among exposed women (32.4% vs. 3.5% in controls; p < 0.01), who had abnormal chest auscultation and reduced lung capacity than controls (mean PEFR: 344.8 ± 2.26 and 405 ± 67.7 L/s, respectively; p < 0.001 Conclusion. Findings from this study show that in the midst of severe crises in the DRC, women stone quarry workers are exposed to abnormally high levels of respiratory hazards, which contribute to impaired lung function. There is a need to regulate quarry work and improve the working conditions in quarry sites in the DRC.

Self-reported disease symptoms of stone quarry workers exposed to silica dust in Ghana.

Background and aimsUnderstanding the importance of using personal protective equipment (PPE) and the influence of work‐post (working distance to main dust source—crusher) in stone quarries is vital for designing tailored interventions in minimizing workers' exposure to silica dust. Nonetheless, studies on silica dust and disease symptoms in Ghana are nascent. This study assessed how work‐post and use of required PPE jointly influence exposure to silica dust and disease symptoms in Ghana.MethodsGeneralized linear models (complementary log‐log regression) were fitted to cross‐sectional survey data of 524 stone quarry workers in Ghana to assess the joint effect of work‐post and PPE usage on self‐reported disease symptoms while controlling for relevant compositional and contextual factors.ResultsStone quarry workers who work between 1‐100 m and beyond 100 m from the crusher with the required PPE were 90% and 87% respectively less likely to report eye irritation compared with their counterparts who work between 1 and 100 m from the crusher without the required PPE. Individuals who work between 1‐100 m and beyond 100 m from the crusher with the required PPE were 94% and 95% respectively less likely to report breathing difficulty compared with the reference group. Workers who work between 1‐100 m and beyond 100 m from the crusher with the required PPE were 97% and 99% respectively less likely to report coughing compared with the reference group. Workers who work between 1‐100 m and beyond 100 m from the crusher with the required PPE were 93% and 97% respectively less likely to report common cold compared with their counterparts who work between 1 and 100 m from the crusher without the required PPE.ConclusionThere are adverse health implications for people who work in silica dust polluted environments, suggesting the need for a national safety and health policy to target them.

Tuberculosis: where and how fast are stone quarry workers infected?

Abstract Background In 2018 an annual tuberculosis (TB) screening program targeting stone quarry workers was implemented in two municipalities in Northern Portugal. These have been hotspots for TB (76 and 59 cases per 100 000 population per year in 2012-2016, well above the 18 cases per 100 000 population observed in Portugal in 2016), with 30% of active TB cases occurring among stone quarry workers. Screening in this setting is recommended by the World Health Organization, as exposure to silica and silicosis increase the risk of TB. Occupational health services, TB outpatient centers, the hospital, a laboratory, primary health care and public health services work closely together with employers, employees, municipal council and the community promoting meetings and continuous training. Screening activities included a symptom questionnaire, chest X-ray and sputum exam; and, after exclusion of active TB, interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Preventive treatment was offered. Objective Assess annual rate of TB infection Methods Workers without history of TB/LTBI were IGRA tested in 2018, and retested in 2019. Annual rate of infection was calculated as the proportion of workers IGRA negative in 2018 becoming positive in 2019. Results In 2018-2019, 274 workers were screened yearly. In 2018, 22 were diagnosed with LTBI and 26 had previous history of TB/LTBI. Out of 226 IGRA negative workers in 2018, 19 tested positive in 2019 (8.4% annual rate of infection). These individuals were not identified as close contacts of any new TB case and no cases of active TB were reported in their stone quarries. Some active TB cases were regular customers of specific bars. Conclusions Active transmission of TB seems to be occurring among stone quarry workers. Workers that converted from IGRA negative to positive had no co-workers with active TB in the study period, suggesting they could have been infected away from the workplace, possibly in community public places. Key messages Stone quarry workers in a high-risk TB sub-region were infected at an 8.4% annual rate, and could have been infected in community public places such as bars. Besides screening close contacts and at workplace, more efforts should be made identifying social contacts of active TB cases.

Assessment of work-related health hazards, personal hygiene and utilization of personal protective equipment’s among stone quarry workers: a cross sectional study in Central India

Background: It is estimated that exposures in the workplace account for around one in ten cases respiratory morbidities in adulthood. Being a respiratory ailment, this group of disorders impairs the pulmonary functions. The objective of the study was to assess the work-related health hazards, personal hygiene and utilization of personal protective equipments among stone quarry workers in Wardha district in Maharashtra.Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted among 348 subjects working in the stone quarries situated in Yelakeli, Deoli, Paloti, Pulgaon, Borgaon, Nachangaon in Wardha district in Maharashtra.Results: 114 (32.75%) of the people reportedly had respiratory problems, body ache was reported by 154 (44.2%), eye problem was reported by 66 (18.9%), fever was told by 13 people (3.7%), other problems (like hearing related, skin, GIT etc) reported were 14 (4.02%). Chi-square test was found to be non-significant.Conclusions: None of the workers had undergone pre-placement examination. Personal protective measures are rarely used by stone quarry workers.

Risk Factors For Work-Related Eye Injuries Among Stone Quarry Workers: A Field Report

Objectives: To determine the prevalence, types, and risk factors for work-related eye injuries in a Nigerian population of stone quarry workers. Materials and Methods: The study was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional ophthalmic survey of stone quarry and stone processing industry workers in Abakaliki, south-eastern Nigeria. Data on participants’ socio-demographics, job characteristics, clinical ophthalmic symptoms and previous work-related eye injuries were collected and analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistics. Statistical significance was indicated by P

Effects of Sociodemographic Factors and Work-Related Stress on Work Ability Index among Stone Quarry Workers in a Rural Area: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Effects of Sociodemographic Factors and Work-Related Stress on Work Ability Index among Stone Quarry Workers in a Rural Area: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The Clinical Burden and Spectrum of Ophthalmic Disorders in Stone Industry Employees from Nigeria

Background: Workers in the stone industry are exposed to many ocular health hazards. There is a paucity of data on the profile of ophthalmic disorders in this vulnerable group, especially in developing countries. Aim: We aimed to determine the burden and spectrum of ophthalmic disorders in stone workers in Abakiliki, Nigeria. Methods: In a population-based cross-sectional survey of stone industry workers conducted in Nigeria, between February and April 2012, relevant data from participants were collected. Descriptive and comparative statistics were performed and statistical significance was indicated by p < 0.05 in all comparisons. Results: Participants (n = 384; males, 158; females, 226) were aged 32 ± 11.8 SD years (range, 14 - 68 years) and comprised 105 (27.3%) stone quarry workers and 226 (72.7%) stone processing workers. Of these, 298 (77.6%) had some form of ophthalmic disorder, which frequently involved the ocular anterior segment (69.9%) or posterior segment (4.9%). Work-related eye injuries were reported by 36.5% of employees. Leading disorders were anterior segment: pterygium-associated (37.9%). Visual impairment (2.9%) and monocular blindness (1.3%) were reported. The prevalence of eye disorders was not significantly associated with participant socio-demographic or work characteristics. Male gender (p = 0.001) and engagement in stone processing (p = 0.001) were significant predictors of work-related eye injury. Conclusions: Among stone industry workers in Abakaliki, Nigeria, there is a high prevalence of ophthalmic disorders, frequently of the ocular anterior segment, and work-related eye injuries are commonly reported. Occupational eye health education, provision of protective eye devices and appropriate ophthalmic care are suggested.

Study of lung function in granite workers based on duration of exposure

Background: Stone quarry workers form a unorganized sector of industry scattered all over India. Due to these workers employed at the granite factory are exposed to different components of dust in which silica is the major one. Longer the duration of exposure to silica dust the respiratory impairment increases. High degree of respiratory morbidity is associated with this industry as people lack the knowledge about the harmful effects of the dust on their health and also negligence from the management side who fail to do periodic health checkup of the employees. Aims and Objectives: The present study was designed to evaluate the pulmonary function tests in the granite factory workers based on the duration of exposure. Materials and Methods: The study population consists of 100 asymptomatic granite workers aged between 18 and 40 years working in granite rock factory for more than 5 years’ duration. Workers were divided into two groups based on the duration of exposure. Workers who were exposed for >5 years but