The Experience of Miners Relocated to Alternative Positions due to Silicosis in the Andean of CODELCO, Chile, 2010

Abstract

ObjectivesTo understand the personal experiences of mine workers that have experienced job relocation due to silicosis at the Andina Division of Corporación Nacional del Cobre (CODELCO), Chile. The purpose of the study was to provide useful information for the development of new local, business and public policies for the care of workers with silicosis.MethodsA qualitative study based on a practical case study of 5 workers. The information was collected by means of structured individual interviews. The method of analysis was phenomenology.ResultsThe corporal axis was the most commented upon. It included awareness of the illness, body pains, fatigue, and antagonistic mood disorders (sadness, or the difficulty in finding meaning in life). As far as personal relationships, there was evidence of strong relationships with family, coworkers and friends, as well as extended family. Over all, the experience of relocation was positive with periods of impatience and uncertainty. The job reassignment provided a new and pleasant context for the relocated workers and in the process improved their perception of their quality of life.ConclusionsA multidisciplinary team should attend mine workers relocated because of silicosis by addressing the mental and physical aspects of their disease, along with the integral participation of close family members. It is suggested that this investigation be maintain over time to record the personal experiences in the medium-term, adding new cases with the intention of shedding more light on the phenomenon being studied. As a preventive measure, continual workshops are needed on the proper use of respiratory protection in addition, a group of monitors is required.

Respiratory parameters at varied altitudes in intermittent mining work

“…Thus, the relationship between the index of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (the Tiffenau index) and body weight was studied. Several risk factors, related to obesity and metabolic disorders, may be identified for the investigated job category: shift work and night shifts with irregular shifts [8] and alterations in lung function [17,18]. In Tables 3 and 4, it may be observed that in the highest mine, the lowest oxygen saturation levels…”

“…Finally, we investigated the effects of shift work, and especially night work. We focused on major effects suggested by literature, i.e., the metabolic and respiratory ones [8,17,18]. Thus, the relationship between the index of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (the Tiffenau index) and body weight was studied.…”

Selenium and exposure to fibrogenic mineral dust: A mini-review

“…Current limited molecular knowledge regarding Se and fibrogenic dust might be one of the reasons justifying why Se has not been widely studied in this area, and why Se supplementation is not recommended in routine care to prevent or delay the onset of pneumoconiosis or malignancies in individuals exposed to fibrogenic dust. As recently highlighted by Delgado et al (2012), relocation of workers exposed to fibrogenic dust to other jobs after disease development is an important strategy of secondary or tertiary prevention of dust related diseases. Along these lines, it would be meaningful for relocated workers to be assessed individually, since individuals with lower Se status might benefit from Se supplements in order to enhance the effects of other treatment strategies, as it has been reported that genotoxic and fibrogenic effects of mineral dust can lead to the development of lung cancer (Tsuda et al, 2002), and Se might protect against lung cancer (Fritz et al, 2011;Zhuo et al, 2004).…”

Impacto de Diferentes Estilos de Liderazgo Sobre el Engagement y Burnout: Evidencia en una Muestra de Trabajadores Argentinos

“…2 No obstante pueden existir riesgos asociados a la propia actividad e independientes del tipo de esterilización que se lleve a cabo, como pueden ser la manipulación de cargas o los movimientos repetitivos 3 , los diferentes procesos para conseguir esterilidad conllevan una serie de peligros inherentes a la propia naturaleza del proceso que van desde quemaduras asociadas a las altas temperaturas hasta el carácter cancerígeno y mutágeno de algunos de los agentes esterilizantes químicos. [4][5][6][7] Por lo tanto, teniendo en cuenta la importancia y la complejidad de esta práctica y la escasez de publicaciones sobre el tema, se realizó este estudio, cuyo objetivo fue evaluar el conjunto de factores relativos a las condiciones del trabajo que pueden tener repercusiones sobre la salud y la calidad de vida en el trabajo de las auxiliares de esterilización, más aun si se enfatiza que la calidad de vida en el trabajo [8][9][10][11] es una filosofía que dignifica al trabajador y su desarrollo personal.…”