Occupational health of workers in underground occupations producing polymetalliccopperzinc ores

Abstract

In mining operations, including those in the Republic of Bashkortostan, the health of workers is not good, due to the impact of adverse occupational factors, as evidenced by the level of occupational morbidity in the industry. In this regard, the solution of issues of workers’ health protection is the most significant in occupational health. The working conditions of male workers of the main underground occupations of the enterprise producing copper-zinc ores have been studied. We have evaluated the dependence of the identified diseases on occupational factors and findings on occupational morbidity between 1997 and 2018. The results of the studies indicate a complex of adverse factors affecting the workers of underground occupations that determine the evels and structure of work-related morbidity, including occupational, the main forms of which are vibrational disease, sensorineural hearing loss, diseases of the musculoskeletal and respiratory systems. Diseases of the musculoskeletal system, upper respiratory tract and arterial hypertension with a risk level from «medium» to «very high» are regarded to be work-related. The greatest number of cases of occupational morbidity among the underground occupations has been established among drifters, fasteners, and mining technicians. Preventive measures aimed at modifying occupational factors and improving medical support for enterprise workers have been developed.