Assessing degree of exposure to vibroacoustic occupational factors for mining industry workers in Arctic zone

Abstract

Assessment of occupational health risks for workers with basic mining occupations including those exposed to elevated levels of vibroacoustic factors remains a topical issue. Given that, the aim of this study was to assess degree of exposure to occupational vibroacoustic factors and its effects on mining industry workers in the Arctic zone using occupational risk as a basic criterion. Prior risk assessment relied on results of hygienic assessment of vibroacoustic factors according to data derived by the Special Assessment of Working Conditions (SAWC) and verified by instrumental research. Posterior risk quantification was performed using data on occupational incidence among workers over the last 10 years considering their numbers. Unacceptable prior occupational risks caused by exposure to noise were detected for all analyzed occupations. According to instrumental research, risks levels higher than those identified by SAWC were detected for open face miners and cargo handling machine operators. According to SAWC data, unacceptable prior occupational risks caused by exposure to vibration were identified only for cargo handling machine operators; additional instrumental research identified such levels of occupational risks for them as well but also for blast hole drillers. Occupational risk quantification established that unacceptable (above 1•10-3) levels of occupational risk caused by vibration disease (VD) and sensorineural hearing loss (SHL) were detected in all analyzed occupational groups. The highest risk levels caused by exposure to vibration were identified for such an occupational group as ‘cargo handling machine operators’ and ranked as ‘average’ (1.37•10-2). The highest risk levels caused by exposure to noise were identified for timbermen and were also ranked as ‘average’ (1.32•10-2). Results obtained by quantification of occupational health risks for mining industry workers in the Arctic zone refine results of prior assessment can be applied in planning activities aimed at mitigating health risks for workers caused by exposure to vibroacoustic factors.