Overview
Workers may be at risk for occupational diseases due to physical, chemical, or biological exposures in underground and surface mines. These hazards can result in workers experiencing serious injuries, long term health effects, and even death.
Between 2005 and 2014, 184 workers died in Ontario’s mining sector from occupational diseases.
Occupational disease was identified as one of the top ranked hazards in the 2014 underground mining sector risk assessment completed as part of the Mining Health and Safety Prevention Review.
Some examples of occupational diseases in mining include:
- asbestosis, mesothelioma
- silicosis
- cancers
- lung (gold mining, coke oven)
- nasal (nickel)
- gastro-intestinal
- chronic obstructive lung disease (sulfur dioxide)
- emphysema
- skin diseases
- hearing loss (noise)
Hazard controls may include:
- engineering controls (including ventilation systems) to minimize worker exposure
- training for supervisors and workers to recognize and reduce exposures by ensuring tools, equipment and systems are maintained and used as designed
- providing personal protective equipment to workers, including training on its proper use and care
Many occupational diseases are permanent or have lasting effects once they develop. Some diseases are diagnosed years after a worker is exposed to a harmful agent. In some cases, the agents that led to the exposure may still not be well contolled.
It is possible to prevent occupational disease if the right controls and protections are put in place.
Employers are required to protect workers from hazards that can lead to occupational disease. Employers must protect workers from long-term health affects and/or injury.
Source: http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/sawo/pubs/fs_miningdisease.php
Vocabulary:
underground: subterrâneo
ensuring: assegurando
lasting: duradouro
harmful: prejudicial
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