Hygienic assessment of working conditions and occupational incidence among mining workers in the Arctic zone of the Norilsk industrial area

Abstract

The development of the Arctic zone as a strategic resource base and its rational use aimed at the economic growth acceleration is a key interest of the Russian Federation in this region. The occupational environment in mining industry is associated with unique working conditions. Underground mining makes workers’ health protection the most significant task. The aim of this study was to perform hygienic assessment of working conditions, occupational incidence and occupational health risks for workers employed in mining industry in the Arctic zone of the Norilsk industrial area. Occupational health risks were assessed using indicators outlined in the Guide R 2.2.2006-05 The Guide on Hygienic Assessment of Factors Related to Working Environment and Work Process. Exposure to occupational noise and considerable work hardness are priority factors in the analyzed industry that cause occupational diseases. Occupational diseases among workers employed in mining industry in the Norilsk industrial area belonged to six nosologies. Vibration disease, stages 1 and 2, makes the greatest contribution to the overall structure of occupational incidence since it accounts for 68.6 % in it. The second place belongs to two-sided sensorineural hearing loss, stages 1 and 2, 13.5 %. Radiculopathy occupies the third rank place accounting for 10.9 %. Unacceptable occupational health risks were identified at 76.8 % of workplaces. A high share of workplaces with unacceptable occupational health risks leads to high occupational incidence among mining workers in the Norilsk industrial area, its levels being higher than the national average.