Frequent diseases in the mining sector
It is indisputable reality that mining sector has high risk in terms of occupational health and safety. Those working in mines certify their medical condition with the medical board reports that they obtain when they will start working so that they could be employed in underground and shift works. However, certain diseases occur over the years due to the causes in the workplace and non-work related reasons or due to physiological causes with the increase of age of employees. Although all of these diseases are not associated with the profession and job, they relate to employees and workplaces. In fact, mines are likely to result in many diseases because the workplace environment is enclosed, dusty and dark as well as extremely hot or cold, damp and oxygen-free working conditions and the necessity of using severe physical force.
The frequently observed diseases according to the TTK Karadon Kilimli Occupational Health and Safety 2017 Data in the mining sector are as follows:
In relation with the highest number of applications made to the workplace doctors; oral and mental disorders is ranked No 1 by 17 %. ENT is 11.5% for respiratory system disorders, 9.4% for chest diseases polyclinics, 11% Orthopedics, 7.1% Brain Surgery and 5.2% Physical Treatment for musculoskeletal system diseases. Musculoskeletal system constitutes almost one quarter of all hospital dispatches.
Actually, this is not so surprising if the works done and the working environment are considered. Dusty and enclosed environments affect respiration, increase tendency to infection, and heavy physical works cause too much strain on musculoskeletal system.
Temperature increases by 1 degree when we get down underground at 100 m depth per each time. Although it is being tried to be reduced by ventilation, the increase is observed in the respiration system diseases associated with infection and exposure to cold weather at the end of work and sweating due the increased heat. Workers are likely to become sick when they get out from underground at 40 degrees to zero degree external ambient in the winter months and if they do not dry up well following the bath taken to remove coals.
Musculoskeletal system diseases have the potential to become increasingly more important and to be observed much more as an occupational disease in the future due to the increased ergonomic risks as well as physical risks in neck, waist and knee area. Although it is being tried to be minimized with reduction in the number of employees, increased mechanization and automation, joint diseases and disk hernia in the spine present serious problems. Repetitive, compelling and prolonged movements as well as bad posture can result in medical problems.
Also, increase is observed in kidney and heart diseases that occur due to dehydration, if the increase of sweating is not sufficiently supported with liquid, and extremely hot, heavy and intense work pressure might unfortunately cause heart attacks. By taking into consideration the fact that 40 percent of all deaths in our country are associated with cardiovascular diseases, the seriousness of this fact could be much better understood.
Smoking, which is one of the major risk factors for heart disease, has been considered as the indispensable part of miners for years. Although smoking has been reduced by 13% with the information and trainings provided for quitting smoking, more than half of the employees still continue smoking. As an enemy of the respiratory system, smoking is very harmful for lungs and heart along with hypertension and high cholesterol. Bad genetic legacy from the family, diabetes, obesity, economic, family and environment-related stresses, negative situations in the working environment and future anxiety negatively affect both psychology and body balance of employees.
Hearing losses that occur in noisy environments are still important. If necessary measures are not taken with ambient measurements and necessary personal ear protectors are not used, progressive and irreversible deafness might occur. Visual impairments, which were frequently observed and even called “miners’ nystagmus’’ are currently reduced with the use of appropriate lighting in the mines.
Although the perception of ‘‘pneumoconiosis equals to coal miners’’ has been reduced, it still continues to be most frequently seen occupational disease. Even if its prevalence by 2.26% is below the national average, it is still significant with 12 new cases. How can Pneumoconiosis be almost the only disease among the occupational diseases reported in our country? Yes, it can unfortunately be so in our country and it causes to be viewed as an occupational disease only associated with miners and as if there is no other sector than mining.
It is clear that the developments in occupational health and safety will enable employees to access to higher quality medical services over time. Through the collaboration in medical trainings and periodic examinations, employees will feel that workplace doctor supports them and will clearly, sincerely and honestly declare their diseases and medicines that they take. In fact, it is legally not appropriate to hide their diseases from the workplace and workplace doctor. Nothing is more important than the health of employees.
The most precious asset extracted from underground is miners. Everything other than their health and life and the time lost could be retrieved. Work accidents, occupational diseases and all medical problems of individuals, whether related or not related to job, could be resolved only with the collaboration of doctors, employees and workplace representatives.
Dr. Erol ÜNAL
Workplace Doctor
SOURCES:
İş Sağlığı Ve Güvenliği (Occupational Health and Safety), Prof. Dr. Nazmi BİLİR, Güven Tıp Kitabevi,2016
The frequently observed diseases according to the TTK Karadon Kilimli Occupational Health and Safety 2017 Data in the mining sector are as follows:
In relation with the highest number of applications made to the workplace doctors; oral and mental disorders is ranked No 1 by 17 %. ENT is 11.5% for respiratory system disorders, 9.4% for chest diseases polyclinics, 11% Orthopedics, 7.1% Brain Surgery and 5.2% Physical Treatment for musculoskeletal system diseases. Musculoskeletal system constitutes almost one quarter of all hospital dispatches.
Actually, this is not so surprising if the works done and the working environment are considered. Dusty and enclosed environments affect respiration, increase tendency to infection, and heavy physical works cause too much strain on musculoskeletal system.
Temperature increases by 1 degree when we get down underground at 100 m depth per each time. Although it is being tried to be reduced by ventilation, the increase is observed in the respiration system diseases associated with infection and exposure to cold weather at the end of work and sweating due the increased heat. Workers are likely to become sick when they get out from underground at 40 degrees to zero degree external ambient in the winter months and if they do not dry up well following the bath taken to remove coals.
Musculoskeletal system diseases have the potential to become increasingly more important and to be observed much more as an occupational disease in the future due to the increased ergonomic risks as well as physical risks in neck, waist and knee area. Although it is being tried to be minimized with reduction in the number of employees, increased mechanization and automation, joint diseases and disk hernia in the spine present serious problems. Repetitive, compelling and prolonged movements as well as bad posture can result in medical problems.
Also, increase is observed in kidney and heart diseases that occur due to dehydration, if the increase of sweating is not sufficiently supported with liquid, and extremely hot, heavy and intense work pressure might unfortunately cause heart attacks. By taking into consideration the fact that 40 percent of all deaths in our country are associated with cardiovascular diseases, the seriousness of this fact could be much better understood.
Smoking, which is one of the major risk factors for heart disease, has been considered as the indispensable part of miners for years. Although smoking has been reduced by 13% with the information and trainings provided for quitting smoking, more than half of the employees still continue smoking. As an enemy of the respiratory system, smoking is very harmful for lungs and heart along with hypertension and high cholesterol. Bad genetic legacy from the family, diabetes, obesity, economic, family and environment-related stresses, negative situations in the working environment and future anxiety negatively affect both psychology and body balance of employees.
Hearing losses that occur in noisy environments are still important. If necessary measures are not taken with ambient measurements and necessary personal ear protectors are not used, progressive and irreversible deafness might occur. Visual impairments, which were frequently observed and even called “miners’ nystagmus’’ are currently reduced with the use of appropriate lighting in the mines.
Although the perception of ‘‘pneumoconiosis equals to coal miners’’ has been reduced, it still continues to be most frequently seen occupational disease. Even if its prevalence by 2.26% is below the national average, it is still significant with 12 new cases. How can Pneumoconiosis be almost the only disease among the occupational diseases reported in our country? Yes, it can unfortunately be so in our country and it causes to be viewed as an occupational disease only associated with miners and as if there is no other sector than mining.
It is clear that the developments in occupational health and safety will enable employees to access to higher quality medical services over time. Through the collaboration in medical trainings and periodic examinations, employees will feel that workplace doctor supports them and will clearly, sincerely and honestly declare their diseases and medicines that they take. In fact, it is legally not appropriate to hide their diseases from the workplace and workplace doctor. Nothing is more important than the health of employees.
The most precious asset extracted from underground is miners. Everything other than their health and life and the time lost could be retrieved. Work accidents, occupational diseases and all medical problems of individuals, whether related or not related to job, could be resolved only with the collaboration of doctors, employees and workplace representatives.
Dr. Erol ÜNAL
Workplace Doctor
SOURCES:
İş Sağlığı Ve Güvenliği (Occupational Health and Safety), Prof. Dr. Nazmi BİLİR, Güven Tıp Kitabevi,2016
