omc occupationalhealthinlargeopencastmines good mdc (1)

8/11/2019 Omc Occupationalhealthinlargeopencastmines Good Mdc (1)

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ccupa ona ea n argeOpencast mines &

Preventive Measures

By Sri GS Khuntia Former Director, NMDC

Executive Director (Operation) SAIL Former Mining Advisor,ESSAR /MSL

Currently Director, OMC Ltd & VP,MDC on SHE


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Presence of high concentration ofdust in the work place, exposure tonoxious gases, fumes and hot humidwork environment in undergroundmines, noise and vibration, poorillumination, ergonomically different

abnormal positions during work, workingin confined space etc. are the causes ofvarious short-term and long -term health

hazards in mines. What is


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The factors that affect the health ofthe miners while working in the

underground mines, surface mines andquarries are called health hazards.


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Occupational Health in largeOpencast mines-provisions as

per 10 th safety conferences

-Noise & Vibrations provisions

-Audimetry provisions

- G. S. Khuntia


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Occupational health sevices 1.1 In respect of small mechanized mines, which

are operating in the non-coal sector, it may not be possible for small organization to create a specialdepartment on Occupational Health Services. Forsuch small mines, it is suggested that anAssociation of small mine operators createscommon facilities and infrastructure forOccupational Heath Services. Creation of suchfacilities is specially needed for asbestos,manganese and mica mines.


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Noise and vibration

1.1 The recommendations of DGMS(Tech)circular No 18 of 1975 shall beimplemented forth with(protection ofworkers against Noise and Vibration inWorking Environment.


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Audiometry

Audiometry should be introduced as a partof mandatory medical examination of

persons seeking employment in mines andfor persons engaged in endangeredoperations / areas where noise level exceed

90 dB(A)


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Common Occupational Hazards in Mines

Dust

Dust is the major hazard in any type of mining operation. Finedust particles of size range 0.5 micron to 5 micron are injurious to thehealth of the miners. These dust particles are inhaled through the nose,pass through the respiratory tract (breathing passage) and get depositedin the lungs in the chest cavity.

An occupational disease, Pneumoconiosis is caused due tocoal dust. Depending on the nature and composition of dust, thepneumoconiosis may be named as Silicosis (silica), Siderosis (iron)

Asbestosis (asbestos fibber), Anthracosis (coal), Anthraco-silicosis (silica-mixed coal), Baritosis (barium), Stanosis (tin) etc.

Monitoring the dust at the work environment and maintaining a

health record of all miners working in dusty areas is useful.


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Noise and Vibration

Hearing defects may be causes due to exposure to excess noise(above 90dB) during work in the long run.

The disease is called Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) whichdoes not affect the normal speech range initially. It affects the highfrequency (above 4000 Hertz) at first and shifts to the speech frequencygradually.

The person gradually becomes deaf; irritable, talks in a loud

voice, develop sleeplessness and high blood pressure. The hearing impairment can be detected early by audiometrictest.

Hearing conservation program should be adopted in every minein noisy areas to reduce noise hazard.

This program consists of noise measurement at the work place,control of noise level in the source, on the pathway and at the miners earlevel, use of ear protection (ear plugs and ear muff), periodic earexamination and audiometer, educating employees about noise hazardand job rotation to minimise exposure.

A record should be maintained in for every miner for future health


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Poor Illumination

Poor illumination produces eyestrain and abnormal movement of theeyeball (nystagmus) among the mines, sometimes poor illumination causes

accidents. Therefore, it is necessary to keep the work area well lighted withoutshadows or glare. The miners should also wear goggles to protect their eyes.

Lighting standards at various work places are specified by DGMS,Dhanbad.

Ergonomic Hazards(Equation of Man & Machine-due to pose,posture whileworking )

Hot humid work environment and mechanical problems during worklead to health impairment.

Most of the mines in our country uses various equipment, which are notdesigned for Indian workers. As a result, most of the miners, who have poorhealth condition, suffer from fatigue, back pain, and joint pain and work stress.

In addition to this, poor illumination, lack of ventilation. Hot and humidwork environment and mechanical problems during work lead to healthimpairment.

To prevent this, proper workstation design, selection of health workers


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Problems due to Air Pollution

Both in underground and surface mines, dust nuisance is a

problem for the community residing nearby.

To reduce the environmental degradation and to maintain the

ecological balance, reducing dust generation and proper disposal of the

overburden should control air pollution.

Tree plantation at the mining area is another step to reduce air

pollution.

Suspended particulate matter (SPM), smoke, fumes and other

chemical pollutants should not be discharged to the atmospheremercilessly.

Air pollution causes irritation to the respiratory systems of the

people staying nearby. Many people, particularly the children suffer from

allergy, asthma, respiratory infection and bronchitis.


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Preventive Measures Engineering Control

Medical Control Statutory Control

Engineering control measures should be adopted at the work placeand environment to reduce generation of dust, suppression of dust, propermaintenance of equipment and adopting environmental hygiene measures.

Medical control measures are directed towards the miners with aview to protect their health. The medical center (OHS) should undertake thefollowing need based functions.

Pre-employment health examination of all miners.

Emergency medical cares.

Health Education & Training. Health Counseling

Computerised health information system.

Medical and occupation health facilities are meager in most of themines and even nonexistent in a few.


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Occupational Health Service of SAIL (Policy) - example

SAIL had established Occupational Health Service centers in all itsmanufacturing units including captive mines to promote and maintain the

physical, mental and social well being of all the employees. Occupational Health Service at the unit level is functioning underMedical Department.

Occupational Health Service in all units had been equipped to detectand prevent occupational/work-related diseases and to offer effective emergencyand injury care at work.

Occupational Health Service at unit level has employed any of or all thespecialties of occupational medicine, occupational hygiene, occupationalphysiology and ergonomics, occupational psychology, occupational healthnursing, health education, biochemistry and toxicology, health information

system, epidemiology and research depending on the needs of the unit in whichthey are housed, as approved by the management.

The Occupational Health Service is headed by the OccupationalPhysician who is totally responsible for organising various functions andcomprehensive occupational health programmes as decided from time to time.


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Occupational Health Service Centers have sufficient and adequatefacilities (by way of qualified specialists, equipment, reference books and

journals, etc.) to perform there above functions effectively.

OHS had arranged to provide adequate number of First Aid Boxeswith approved contents on the shop floor and in the captive mines. Theseboxes shall be maintained and kept under the charge of trained andcompetent first-aiders. OHS staff regularly from time to time shall carry outinspection of such boxes.

Occupational Health Service has developed health educationtraining packages including use of personal protective equipment for allemployees and impact training accordingly.

OHS Centers had played a vital role in suitably redeploying orrehabilitating an employee, if it is found that he she is incapacitated due to anaccidental injury, occupational disease or otherwise.

OHS Center had taken special care of women employees working inhazardous areas or handling toxic substance, which may cause danger orinterfere with pregnancy/childbearing/reproductive system.


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The Occupational Physician advises on suitability of the variouspersonal Protective equipment. While recommending, he considers all

factors relating to health, anthropometric measurements, comfort and otherergonomic aspects of relevance.

All OHS units of SAIL also caters to the emergency medical care asoutlined in the disaster management plan. It is well equipped withmedicines, dressings, injections and such other medical equipments tomeet the emergency.

Key personnel with assigned specific functions are identified and achart indicating this to be displayed prominently. The OHS staff alsoparticipates in mock-drills organised for the purpose.

The Occupational Physician is a member of Medical Board andSafety & Health oriented Committees.


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Status of Occupational Health Services at Mines (OHS)

5 OHS centers established with industrial doctors and staffs at aninvestment of Rs. 1.50 crore each in 1992 at Iron ore Mines at Barsua,Kiriburu, Chasnalla, Kuteshwar & Rajhara iron ore mines.

Employee welfare programme, periodic health check-up ofemployees beyond 45 years age level at plants & mines are done.

a) In a year about 20% of employees are medically examined b)Computer records maintained for health records and analysis C) Healtheducation & Counselling adequate no of employees done. D) BHP Kinhill

joint venture training in Australia, 8 doctors trained in 1994 E) OccupationalPhysicians & professionals participated in various programmes.

OHS center in iron ore mines are operating satisfactorily withprovisions of staffs and equipments with following functions.

a) Assessment of risk from health hazards at work place andsurveillance of factors affecting workers health.

b) Workers education of sanitation, hygiene including training &retraining on first aid;

c) Diagnosis & treatment of occupational injuries including

rehabilitation;


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d) Compilation & Maintenance of health records & survey

reports related to dust, noise, temperature etc. e) Identification of

the need of protective equipments & evaluation of their

effectiveness.

Noise survey was conducted once a year in all Iron Ore

Mines of SAIL for initiating corrective measures & each time draws

up plan for job rotation, machine upkeep, employee rehabilitation,

and the details are furnished in Annexure - 1

The international noise level standards are shown below :


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Annexure - 1

Status of Noise Pollution in SAIL Mines A. Details showing Noise level in dBC (A) At different Machine Locations

Operation Mine A Spl Leq

Dumpers Empty run 94-99 96.3 Loaded run 97-100 99.8

SHOVELS Near Operator -- -- 3m away -- -- Drills Near Operator 108-112 108.3 3m away 87-94 92.4

Crushers Primary 76-83 82.5 Secondary 86-88 87.3 Screens Primary 95-97 96.2 Secondary 86-99 87.7

Spl - Mean Range, Leq- Level Equivalent


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B. Degree of Hearing Loss

Studied at 0-25 db/25-40 db/40-55 dB/above55 dB

C. Hearing Loss of Employees (Age -Wise) Studied in age group basis (say-


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International Noise Level standards - A comparison

Country Maximum Permissible Remarksexposure level for8 hours/day

USA 85 dB(A) Exposure to impact noise < 140 dB (A)

Australia 95 dB (A) Number of exposure to 115 dB (A) at any time

Canada 87-90 dB (A) For different noise level exposure time specified 115 db (A) max. for

U.K 90 dB(A)

USSR 50 dB (A) Office

85 dB (A) Factories / Mines

India 90 dB () DGMS circular

No. 18 of 1975


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A 3 years & 5 years OHS activities plan has beenprepared Upto 2005/6 A.D

Examination conducted in SAIL mines OHS :

Periodic medical Examination

Audiometry ( sound measurement)-ear testing

Spirometry-lung testing

Immunisation

Health Education

First Aid


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Activities of OHS centres of SAIL mines-

Kiriburu/Meghatuburu mines Periodical medical examination(PME) of employees working

in mines of KIOM/MIOMImmunisation against T .T Toxoid to all the workers.At the

end of PME, each employee is given an immunisation cumhealth card where immunisation schedule, blood groupname,ST No, Designation & any other personal significantdisease record is maintained

Sound survey & dust survey are carried outHealth examination programme is carried(2 ).Equipments provided-SpidometerAudiometer

Noise Dosimeter


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Employees covered under OHS Tests-(HYPOTHETICAL)

Types of Examination 2005 2006 2007medical examination 294 290 411

Audiometry 304 269 383Spirometry 114 124 142Immunisation 54 65 20Health Education------ 57 65 67First Aid 33 35 28


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Author: Sri G S KhuntiaFormerly Executive Director, SAIL and Director in NMDC,

Hyderabad, currently Director,OMC Ltd & IIMCS,

born in Bhubaneswar.Graduated in 'Mining Engineering' from 'Indian School ofMines, Dhanbad' in 1962 and obtained 'First ClassMines Manager Certificate.

Worked for 33 years in 'Managerial Capacities' in MiningIndustry of India, (mines of OMC, NMDC, SAIL unitsat Rourkela,Bokaro,Bhilai,Durgapur SAIL corporateoffice )

Received a large number of National awards likeNATIONAL MINERAL AWARDS from Ministry ofMines, Govt of India, National Design Award-2001 from

Institution of Engineers (India), John Dunn Medal,Jawaharlal Award, Rungta AwardsPresented over 100 Technical Papers in various National and

International Conferences including 'World MiningCongress' in DELHI (84) I, SWEDEN (87), CHINA (90),MARDID (92), AUSTRALIA (96) and DELHI (2003).


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Visited widely mines in foreign countries (Sweden, Norway,Poland, England, France, Switzerland, Germany, Spain,Hongkong, Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore & Australia). He

has been Chairman of a large number of Professionalbodies-Institution of Engineer, (India), Orissa State (2008-12)/ Current Council Member ,Past Council member ofI EI /,Kolkatta Vice -President of Multi-disciplinary centerfor Presently committee member (Mining) of Institutionof safety, health & environment, Bhubaneswar (a stategovt. sponsored organisation), Editor in Chief of IndianMining & Engineering Journal, Consultant (mines &steel)

Former Mining Advisor to ESSAR /Maharastra Seamless Ltd/ Currently Director ,IIMCS /Director, OMC Ltd,Bhubaneswar.

[email protected]


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THANKS

omc occupationalhealthinlargeopencastmines good mdc (1)

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