OBJECTIVETo describe the incidence, development and death of pneumoconiosis reported in Hebei from 2001 to 2012 and investigate the epidemiological trends and characteristics of pneumoconiosis to provide basic data for formulating the guidelines and policies for control of pneumoconiosis.

METHODSThe Hebei database of new cases of pneumoconiosis reposed from 2001 to 2012 were subjected to systematic arrangement. Clean data and descriptive analysis using SPSS 17.0. The statistical indices included number of new and death pneumoconiosis cases in each year.

RESULTSFrom 2001 to 2012 a total of 4558 new cases of pneumoconiosis were reported. The situation was same to coal-workers' pneumoconiosis and silicosis. (2) The pneumoconiosis cases were distributed mainly in the city of Tang Shan, Cheng De, Zhang Jia Kou and Han Dan (88.24%). (3) Most cases were centerred in coal industry, metallurgical industry, nonferrous metals industry, architectural material industry and light industry. (4) The mean age of onset in new cases was shorted each year for silicosis, coal-workers' pneumoconiosis, potter pneumoconiosis and electric welder pneumoconiosis, especially for 2010 to 2012 (9 years). (5) The work types of these cases mainly included drilling (26.72%), mining as the main work (6.67%), hybrid coal mine work (6.95%), molding worker (5.24%) and berterring worker (4.82%). (6) The new cases of pneumoconiosis reposed from 2001 to 2012 were diagnosissed I (3415, 74.92%), II (782, 17.16%), III (361, 7.92%). (7) The death cases of pneumoconiosis reposed from 2001 to 2012 were 1182, most of them were distributed mainly in the city of Tang Shan, Cheng De, Zhang Jia Kou and Han Dan (88.24%).

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of pneumoconiosis is still high: the new cases of pneumoconiosis is still rising. The mean age of onset in new cases was shorted each year. The new cases of pneumoconiosis reposed from 2001 to 2012 were diagnosed II was above 25%. The prevention and control of pneumoconiosis should be enhanced in key industries and for people engaging in key regions, industries, types of work according to the epidemiological characteristics of pneumoconiosis. Most cases were centerred in coal-workers' pneumoconiosis and silicosis.

Anthracosis ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Coal Industry ; Humans ; Incidence ; Metallurgy ; Mining ; Pneumoconiosis ; epidemiology ; Silicosis ; epidemiology

The objective of this study was to describe the occupational accidents and distribution of accidents in different groups. This is a cross sectional study in which the interview with structured questionnaire was used to collect information on occupational accidents and distribution of accidents among 2525 workers in different groups. Our results indicated that the occupational accident prevalence was 4% in 10 year period among workers of heavy, light and chemical industries. The occupational accident rate was highest in the heavy and chemical industry and the workers who worked longer in the industry have lower occupational accident prevalence.
Accidents, Occupational ; Metallurgy ; Chemical Industry

The study was conducted on workers in Na Duong coal mine, Lang Son province to investigate the working environment, health status and diseases. The results showed that working environment was contaminated by toxics that were above allowed limits, such as high silic dust level. Some common diseases were ear-nose-throat diseases, accounting for 77.2%, eye diseases 39.9%, digestion 17.8%, heart diseases 15.1%, and respiratory diseases 14.1%. Among respiratory diseases, silic dust-related one was significant. The rate in the mine neighborhood area was 10% and at the working site was 11%. Coal mine workers’ health was a little below the average compared with other domestic manufacturing sectors, nobody had health status at level I.
Environment ; Health ; Coal Mining

OBJECTIVETo provide data for the occupational health supervision by analyzing the occupational health status in manufacturing industry in Guangzhou, China.

METHODSThe occupational health investigation was performed in 280 enterprises randomly selected from 8 industries based on industry stratification. According to the occupational health standards, 198 out of the 280 enterprises were supervised and monitored. Sample testing was performed in 3~5 workplaces where workers were exposed to the highest concentration/intensity of occupational hazard for the longest time. Comparative analyses of the overproof rates of hazard were performed among enterprises, workplaces, and testing items from different industries.

RESULTSThe concentrations of occupational hazard in 42.93% (85/198) of enterprises and 22.96% (200/871) of workplaces were above the limit concentration. The most severe hazards were the noises in shipbuilding and wooden furniture industries and the welding fumes in shipbuilding industry. Less than 30% of enterprises were able to provide occupational health examination and periodic test reports of occupational hazard in workplaces. The rate of the workers with abnormal occupational health examination results and the need for reexamination reached 6.63% (832/12 549), and they were mostly from shipbuilding, wooden furniture, and chemical industries.

CONCLUSIONThe occupational health supervision should be strengthened in enterprises, and hazard from noises and dusts should be selectively controlled or reduced. The publication of relevant data and information of occupational health in enterprises should be promoted to enhance social supervision.

Chemical Industry ; China ; Dust ; Humans ; Interior Design and Furnishings ; Manufacturing Industry ; statistics & numerical data ; Noise, Occupational ; Occupational Exposure ; statistics & numerical data ; Occupational Health ; statistics & numerical data ; Welding ; Workplace

Korea has industrialized since the 1970s. Pneumoconiosis in coal miners was the most common occupational disease in the 1970s to 1980s. With the industrialization, the use of many chemicals have increased since the 1970s. As a consequence, there were outbreaks of occupational diseases caused by poisonous chemicals, such as heavy metal poisoning, solvent poisoning and occupational asthma in the late 1980s and early 1990s with civil movement for democracy. Many actions have been taken for prevention by the government, employers and employees or unions. In the 1990s most chemical related diseases and pneumoconiosis have rapidly decreased due to improving work environment. In the late 1990s, cerebro-cardiovascular diseases related to job stress or work overloads have abruptly increased especially after the economic crisis in 1998. After the year 2000, musculoskeletal disorders became a major problem especially in assembly lines in the manufacturing industry and they were expanded to the service industry. Mental diseases related to job stress have increased. Infectious diseases increased in health care workers and afforestation workers. Occupational cancers are increasing because of their long latency, although the use of carcinogenic substances are reduced, limited, and even banned.
Coal Mining ; Employment ; Humans ; Industry ; *Occupational Diseases/economics/epidemiology/psychology ; Occupational Health ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Stress, Psychological/economics/epidemiology/psychology ; Workplace/economics/psychology

Objective: To understand the harm degree of underground noise and provide basis for noise control. Methods: In November 2019, 13 typical coal mines in Sichuan Province were selected as the research objects, and a total of 1203 sites and 609 jobs of noise exposure were investigated. Results: The noise intensity P75 >80 dB (A) was measured. The noise intensity of the inspection place of the air compressor is >86 dB (A) , the noise intensity of the inspection place of the gas drainage and the operation place of the main fan is between 80-85 dB (A) . Conclusion: Besides the harm of dust, noise exposure should also be paid attention to, and the measures of sound absorption and sound insulation should be taken or personal protection should be strengthened.
Coal ; Coal Mining ; Dust/analysis* ; Noise ; Occupational Exposure

Coal ; Coal Mining ; Dust/analysis* ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; Pneumoconiosis

The underground environment is dark and humid, and it is easy to breed pathogenic microorganisms. A lump in the right lung of a coal mine underground transport worker was found druing occupational health examination. CT examination showed that the lump was located in the posterior segment of the upper lobe of the right lung, with point strip calcification, liquefaction necrosis, and proximal bronchial stenosis and occlusion. MRI examination FS-T(2)WI and DWI showed "target sign", annular low signal around the central high signal, and low mixed signal around the periphery, and annular high signal in the isosignal lesions on T(1)WI. Then the pulmonary aspergillus infection was confirmed by pathology.
Humans ; Coal ; Miners ; Pneumonia ; Lung ; Aspergillosis ; Coal Mining

BACKGROUND: Collisions involving workers and mobile machines continue to be a major concern in underground coal mines. Over the last 30 years, these collisions have resulted in numerous injuries and fatalities. Recently, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) proposed a rule that would require mines to equip mobile machines with proximity detection systems (PDSs) (systems designed for automated collision avoidance). Even though this regulation has not been enacted, some mines have installed PDSs on their scoops and hauling machines. However, early implementation of PDSs has introduced a variety of safety concerns. Past findings show that workers' trust can affect technology integration and influence unsafe use of automated technologies.METHODS: Using a mixed-methods approach, the present study explores the effect that factors such as mine of employment, age, experience, and system type have on workers' trust in PDSs for mobile machines. The study also explores how workers are trained on PDSs and how this training influences trust.RESULTS: The study resulted in three major findings. First, the mine of employment had a significant influence on workers' trust in mobile PDSs. Second, hands-on and classroom training was the most common types of training. Finally, over 70% of workers are trained on the system by the mine compared with 36% trained by the system manufacturer.CONCLUSION: The influence of workers' mine of employment on trust in PDSs may indicate that practitioners and researchers may need to give the organizational and physical characteristics of each mine careful consideration to ensure safe integration of automated systems.
Automation ; Coal ; Employment ; Mining ; Occupational Health

BACKGROUND: Coal mining is of significant economic importance to the Australian economy. Despite this fact, the related workforce is subjected to a number of psychosocial risks and musculoskeletal injury, and various psychological disorders are common among this population group. Because only limited research has been conducted in this population group, we sought to examine the relationship between physical (pain) and psychological (distress) factors, as well as the effects of various demographic, lifestyle, and fatigue indicators on this relationship. METHODS: Coal miners (N = 231) participated in a survey of musculoskeletal pain and distress on-site during their work shifts. Participants also provided demographic information (job type, age, experience in the industry, and body mass index) and responded to questions about exercise and sleep quality (on- and off-shift) as well as physical and mental tiredness after work. RESULTS: A total of 177 workers (80.5%) reported experiencing pain in at least one region of their body. The majority of the sample population (61.9%) was classified as having low-level distress, 28.4% had scores indicating mild to moderate distress, and 9.6% had scores indicating high levels of distress. Both number of pain regions and job type (being an operator) significantly predicted distress. Higher distress score was also associated with greater absenteeism in workers who reported lower back pain. In addition, perceived sleep quality during work periods partially mediated the relationship between pain and distress. CONCLUSION: The study findings support the existence of widespread musculoskeletal pain among the coal-mining workforce, and this pain is associated with increased psychological distress. Operators (truck drivers) and workers reporting poor sleep quality during work periods are most likely to report increased distress, which highlights the importance of supporting the mining workforce for sustained productivity.
Absenteeism ; Coal Mining ; Coal* ; Efficiency ; Fatigue ; Humans ; Life Style ; Low Back Pain ; Mining ; Musculoskeletal Pain ; Occupational Health ; Population Groups