Occupational burnout and work stress in workers engaged in underground coal mining

Introduction. Preservation of labor potential of coal industry workers seems to be a priority direction in occupational medicine. The realization of this direction is possible due to the introduction of systemic medical and preventive technologies both in the industry as a whole and at individual workplaces of miners. A characteristic feature of professional activity of coal industry workers is not only being in harmful and hazardous working conditions but also increased requirements to the qualification of the workers, labor motivation, responsibility, emotional stability, working capacity. Under the influence of harmful factors caused by professional activity, a negative state of overexertion can develop — professional stress, which increases the risk of developing professional burnout and occupationally related diseases.

The aim of the study is to assess the level of professional burnout and occupational stress factors affecting the health and working life expectancy of workers engaged in underground coal mining.

Materials and methods. The authors conducted psychological testing to identify professional burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory, n=252) and its degree according to the model of Golembiewski and Munzenrieder, labor stressors (Spielberger labor stress questionnaire, n=171), stress resistance and social adaptation (Holmes and Rahe stress scale, n=249). Nine professional groups of mine workers (n=252) took part in the study: mine fitters, mine workers, mine face workers, drilling rig operators, mining and demolition machine operators, mechanics, assistant site supervisors, sinkers and electricians. Each worker gave informed voluntary consent to participate in the study.

Results. The main contribution to the development of professional burnout is made by the factor of reduction of personal achievements: a high level of this factor was revealed in 129 mine workers — 51.2%. A high level of the depersonalization factor was noted in 48 workers out of 252 — 19.0%, while a correlation was noted between age and the level of the factor: r(250)=0.133, p=0.035. A high level of emotional exhaustion was noted only in 12 miners out of 252 — 4.8%, which determines a small number of workers with a high degree of burnout — 11.5%. Leading work stressors were identified for each professional group of workers. No relationship was found between the level of social stress, the number of stressful events per year and burnout factors (p>0.05).

Limitations. For a comprehensive assessment of the health of workers, it is important to conduct physiological and psychophysiological studies in the dynamics of the work shift, as well as a hygienic assessment of working conditions. However, conducting these studies is difficult due to the complexity of the procedure for admission to the mine, as well as the presence of spark-proof equipment. The study is also limited to conducting psychological testing on workers of only one mine, which requires further study of the issue to increase the representativeness of the data obtained.

Conclusion. Professional burnout of mine workers is caused by the cognitive-emotional factor of reducing personal achievements associated with work stressors. It is necessary to pay attention to situational and organizational characteristics, measures to reduce the impact of identified stressors. Identifying sources of stress will help improve working conditions and increase the efficiency and reliability of workers, extend their working longevity.

Ethics. The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Local Ethical Committee of FSBSI IRIOH, protocol No. 5 of 02.08.2023.

Contributions:
Kuzmina L.P. — research concept and design, editing;
Tolmachev D.A. — research concept and design, data collection, writing, editing;
Golovkova N.P. — research concept and design, editing;
Eremeeva A.G. — conception and design of the study, data collection, writing, editing;
Kalinina S.A. — conception and design of the study, data collection, writing, editing;
Lyubimova M.S. — conception and design of the study, text writing, editing;
Tskhomaria I.M. — conception and design of the study, text writing, editing;
Varakuta I.S. — research concept and design, data collection, editing;
Chasovskikh E.V. — research concept and design, data collection, editing.

Funding. The study was conducted as part of research work No. FGFE-2023-0014

Conflict of interest. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Received: 12.02.2025 / Accepted: 18.03.2025 / Published: 08.05.2025

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