Working conditions and occupational pathology of coal miners in the Arctic
https://doi.org/10.31089/1026-9428-2019-59-8-452-457
Abstract
Introduction. Due to the impact of adverse working conditions and climate, workers in coal-mining enterprises in the Arctic are at increased risk of occupational diseases (OD).
The aim of the study was to study the working conditions, causes, structure and prevalence of occupational diseases in miners of coal mines in the Arctic.
Materials and methods. Th e data of social and hygienic monitoring “Working conditions and occupational morbidity” of the population of Vorkuta and Chukotka Autonomous District in 2007–2017 are studied.
Results. It was established that in 2007–2017 years, 2,296 ODs were diagnosed for the first time in 1851 coal mines, mainly in the drifters, clearing face miners, repairmen and machinists of mining excavating machines. Most often, the ODs occurred when exposed to the severity of labor, fibrogenic aerosols and hand-arm vibration. The development of professional pathology in 98% of cases was due to design flaws of machines and mechanisms, as well as imperfections of workplaces and technological processes. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system (36.2%), respiratory organs (28.9%) and nervous system (22.5%) prevailed in the structure of professional pathology of miners of coal mines. Among the three most common nosological forms of OD were radiculopathy (32.1%), chronic bronchitis (27.7%) and mono-polyneuropathy (15.4%). In 2017, coal miners in the Arctic had a professional morbidity rate of 2.82 times higher than the national rates for coal mining.
Conclusions. To preserve the health of miners of coal mining enterprises, technical measures to improve working conditions and medical interventions aimed at increasing the body’s resistance to the effects of harmful production and climatic factors are necessary.
About the Authors
S. A. Gorbanev
North-West Public Health Research Center
Russian Federation
4, 2nd Sovetskaya str., St. Petersburg, Russia, 191036
Russian Federation
4, 2nd Sovetskaya str., St. Petersburg, Russia, 191036
S. A. Syurin
North-West Public Health Research Center
Russian Federation
Sergey A. Syurin, Chief researcher of Department of habitat and public health research in the Arctic zone, Dr. of Sci. (Med.), 4, 2nd Sovetskaya str., St. Petersburg, Russia, 191036
Russian Federation
Sergey A. Syurin, Chief researcher of Department of habitat and public health research in the Arctic zone, Dr. of Sci. (Med.), 4, 2nd Sovetskaya str., St. Petersburg, Russia, 191036
N. M. Frolova
North-West Public Health Research Center
Russian Federation
4, 2nd Sovetskaya str., St. Petersburg, Russia, 191036
Russian Federation
4, 2nd Sovetskaya str., St. Petersburg, Russia, 191036
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Review
For citations:
Gorbanev S.A., Syurin S.A., Frolova N.M. Working conditions and occupational pathology of coal miners in the Arctic. Russian Journal of Occupational Health and Industrial Ecology. 2019;(8):452-457. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.31089/1026-9428-2019-59-8-452-457
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