Research and present occupational hazards in one major industry from home country (India)
Mining industry (literature search, hazard identification, industry mapping).
1. Dr. Turusbekova Akshoola Kozmanbetovna
2. Sarfaraz Hussain
(Teacher, International Medical Faculty, Osh State University, Kyrgyzstan
Student, International Medical Faculty, Osh State University, Kyrgyzstan)
Abstract
The mining sector is a foundational element of the Indian economy, yet it remains one of the most hazardous environments for its workforce. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of occupational risks in the Indian mining industry, spanning physical, chemical, biological, and psychosocial dimensions. Key findings highlight the prevalence of ground movement accidents in underground mines, accounting for 43.75% of fatalities, and the emergence of transportation-related injuries in opencast operations. Long-term health issues, particularly silicosis and coal workers' pneumoconiosis, remain significant, with some clusters reporting silicosis rates as high as 52%. The report also evaluates the transition from the legacy Mines Act of 1952 to the modernized Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions (OSHWC) Code 2020. Strategic recommendations focus on technological modernization through blast-free mining and digital safety governance to achieve the "Vision Zero" goal by 2047.
Keywords: Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), Indian Mining Industry, Silicosis, Methane Explosions, OSHWC Code 2020, Geomechanical Risks, Vision Zero 2047, Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (CWP).
The mining sector in India represents a cornerstone of the national economy, providing the vital raw materials necessary for industrialization, infrastructure development, and energy security.1 As the country maintains its trajectory toward becoming a major global economic power, the demand for mineral resources continues to escalate, necessitating intensive extraction activities.1 However, the inherent nature of mining—characterized by the alteration of geological structures and exposure to toxic environments—presents a complex landscape of occupational hazards.3 These risks often lead to acute injuries or chronic, debilitating diseases.6 This report provides an exhaustive mapping of the industry, categorizes the multifaceted hazards, and evaluates the shifting regulatory framework from the foundational Mines Act of 1952 to the modernizing Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions (OSHWC) Code of 2020.
National Mineral Scenario and Industry Mapping
India is endowed with significant resources of metallic and non-metallic minerals. The distribution of these minerals is dictated by the country's diverse lithology, ranging from ancient peninsular shields to younger sedimentary formations.9
Geographical Distribution and Mineral Belts
The mineral wealth of India is primarily concentrated in five major belts. The North Eastern Peninsular Belt, encompassing Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha, possesses 93% of the country's iron ore and 84% of its coal.9 The Central Belt (Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra) is rich in bauxite, manganese, and limestone.9 Recent explorations have further expanded this map, with significant lithium reserves discovered in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Karnataka.9
Sectoral Composition and Economic Contribution
The metallic mineral segment accounts for the vast majority of the sector's value, estimated at INR 1,27,599 crore in 2023-24 (90.3% of total mineral production value).1 The coal sector remains the most significant component in terms of both energy security and labor employment, centered in fields like Jharia (Jharkhand), Korba (Chhattisgarh), and Talcher (Odisha).
Categorization of Mining Operations and Operational Risk
The risks associated with mining are heavily influenced by the extraction method—opencast or underground.3
Opencast versus Underground Mining
Opencast mining involves large-scale blasting and the movement of Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM).14 Underground mining presents more acute risks, including roof collapses and methane explosions.3 Underground coal mines are categorized by "degree of gassiness," which dictates safety protocols.
Statistical Evaluation of Occupational Accidents
Analysis of Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) data indicates a long-term decline in fatal accidents (from 165 in 1992 to 24 in 2022 in coal mines).15 However, ground movement in underground coal mines still accounts for 43.75% of fatalities.3 Transportation machinery is the leading cause of death in opencast operations, particularly during night shifts.3
Physical and Geomechanical Hazards
Physical hazards are linked to the disturbance of geological equilibrium.3
● Strata Control: Roof and side falls are frequent causes of traumatic injury in underground mines.3 Manual handling and traditional support systems in semi-mechanized mines perpetuate these risks.19
● Slope Stability: Deep pits and overburden dumps in opencast mines face instability risks.24 The DGMS mandates systematic monitoring of slopes to detect pre-failure movements.13
● Mechanical Risks: Dumpers and trucks face collisions and brake failures, while conveyor systems pose entanglement risks.14
Atmospheric and Chemical Hazards
Underground atmospheres can accumulate toxic and inflammable gases.16
● Methane (CH4): Highly explosive between 5% and 15% concentration.16 In 2010, the Anjan Hill disaster showed that methane leaks can trigger secondary coal dust explosions. Methane also acts as a chemical asphyxiant by forming methemoglobin.16
● Carbon Monoxide (CO): Known as the "silent killer," CO is a byproduct of mine fires with an affinity for hemoglobin 200 times higher than oxygen.
● Diesel Fumes: Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) from underground locomotives poses long-term risks for lung cancer and COPD.
Occupational Respiratory Diseases
Dust-related lung diseases are the most pervasive long-term health hazards in Indian mining.4
● Silicosis: Caused by crystalline silica in sandstone or quartz.8 A meta-analysis found a pooled prevalence of 25.98% among Indian mining and stone industry workers.32 Rajasthan clusters have reported rates as high as 52%.32
● Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (CWP): Chronic exposure to a 2 mg/m3 dust environment is estimated to cause category 1 or greater pneumoconiosis in 9% of miners over a 40-year career. Diagnosis is often confounded by high tuberculosis (TB) prevalence; 58% of miners diagnosed with silicosis were previously treated for TB.
Biological and Environmental Contamination
The mining environment can serve as a reservoir for pathogens.36
● Zoonotic Infections: Leptospirosis seroprevalence among miners in Tamil Nadu was 38.5%, reaching 65.3% in Pudukkottai blue metal miners due to water-logged environments and rat infestations.38
● Groundwater Contamination: Mining tailings are sources of arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) contamination in groundwater.36 Arsenic concentrations in the Cuddapah Basin have reached up to 60.5 ug/L, well above the 10 ug/L WHO limit.36
Ergonomic Hazards and Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
Mining involves repetitive motion and heavy lifting, leading to high MSD prevalence (70% to 77% of workers).20
Whole-body vibration (WBV) from operating loaders and dumpers is a significant predictor of degenerative spinal disorders.20
Psychosocial Hazards and Mental Health
The combination of high job demands and isolation contributes to significant occupational stress.7 Over 80% of natural deaths at work in the mining sector are due to cardiovascular causes, such as stress-linked heart attacks.51 Factors include illiteracy, debt, and the "Fly-In-Fly-Out" (FIFO) system, which impoverishes the quality of rest and increases the likelihood of human error.7
Human Factors and the Regulatory Landscape
Human error accounts for an estimated 88% of mining accidents.5 To predict these risks, researchers use the Fuzzy Reasoning Approach (FRA), mapping variables like worker age, experience, and shift timing to generate risk scores.5
Transition to the OSHWC Code 2020
The Indian regulatory framework is moving from the Mines Act of 1952 to the Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions (OSHWC) Code of 2020.2
Future Outlook and Strategic Recommendations
The Indian mining industry is pursuing "Vision Zero" (Zero Harm Potential) by 2047.24
1. Technological Mitigation: Expanding mass production technology (MPT) like continuous miners and surface miners eliminates the need for blasting and reduces worker exposure to unstable ground.
2. Real-Time Monitoring: Implementing GPS tracking for HEMMs and automated gas detection systems is vital for preventing transportation accidents.
3. Formalization: Extending health benefits and compensation to the unorganized and informal sectors is essential, as over 90% of workers currently operate outside formal safeguards.4
By integrating ergonomic design, environmental remediation, and rigorous implementation of the OSHWC Code 2020, India can build a resilient mining sector that prioritizes the health and dignity of its workforce.64
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