Occupational Health survey reveals alarming numbers

170 mine and factory workers have been affected by occupational diseases, with 153 workers in Rajasthan alone, showed an Occupational Health survey conducted by the Directorate General of Mines Safety.

The information was furnished by Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya during the question hour at the Lok Sabha on Monday in reply to a question posed by MP Ramesh Chander Kaushik on occupational diseases in mines and factories.

Dattatreya added that information within the labour ministry showed that in Gujarat, between 2014 and 2016, 86 workers were affected by noise-induced hearing loss, while 11 were affected by silicosis. As per the data, over 132 workers under the Factories Act, 1948, and nine workers under the Mines Act, 1952 were affected in the last three years.

The minister also added that for workers employed in hazardous processes and dangerous operations as defined by the Factories Act, 1948, it is mandatory to undergo "pre- and post-periodical health check-ups in the form of medical examination."

An occupational health survey has been carried out in various states by the DGMS, and the National Institute of Miner's Health (NIMH) has studied dust related diseases in stone mines. As per the study, the NIMH has identified over 96 cases of silicosis in Rajasthan.

Dattatreya also said an occupational safety and health survey in silicosis-prone industries has been initiated and completed in Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Puducherry.