RESUMEN
INTRODUCCIÓN: Al inicio de la pandemia de COVID-19, las empresas mineras, debieron implementar sistemas de gestión para prevenir transmisión de SARS-CoV-2. OBJETIVO: Describir los resultados iniciales de la estrategia multimodal para la prevención de COVID-19, en una faena minera. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal. Se estructuró un sistema de gestión que consideró medidas administrativas, ambientales, tamizaje de riesgos y gestión de casos de riesgo al interior de la empresa. Análisis de datos con estadística descriptiva. RESULTADOS: Las medidas administrativas se tradujeron en que 8.116 (34%) trabajadores de la faena fueron suspendidos de sus labores habituales. El tamizaje de riesgo antes del ingreso a la faena identificó 450 casos sospechosos que fueron derivados a su domicilio. En el procedimiento de gestión de casos 1.073 personas fueron clasificadas en algunos de los grupos de riesgo. Se detectaron 10 casos de trabajadores con RPC positiva, siendo que 50% fue asintomático; en los sintomáticos, los síntomas más frecuentes fueron: tos (60%) y cefalea (40%). CONCLUSIONES: Estos resultados, dan luces sobre la importancia de implementar una estrategia multimodal, adaptada a la realidad local de una empresa de la gran minería, para prevenir la transmisión de SARS-CoV-2.
BACKGROUND: Mining companies must implement management systems dedicated to health and safety at work to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among their workers, however, the literature on this is scarce. AIM: To describe a multimodal strategy for the management of health and safety at work, to address the risk of COVID-19 in large mining. METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study, carried out in a large mining company. A management system was structured that considered administrative measures, of an environmental nature, risk screening, and management of risk cases within the company. The data analysis was done using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The administrative measures resulted in 8,116 (34%) workers at the site being suspended from their usual work. Risk screening before entering the site identified 450 suspected cases that were referred to their home. In the case management procedure, 1,073 people were classified in some of the risk groups. 10 cases of workers with PCR were detected in the follow-up period. Environmental measures were not very sensitive. CONCLUSIONS: These results shed light on the importance of implementing a multimodal strategy, adapted to the local reality, in preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the period under study, at the mining site intervened.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Masculino , Adulto , Persona de Mediana Edad , COVID-19/prevención & control , Minería/organización & administración , Gestión de Riesgos , Grupos de Riesgo , Chile , Tamizaje Masivo , Estudios Transversales , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Medición de Riesgo , Pandemias , COVID-19/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Despite being a priority population in malaria elimination, there is scant literature on malaria-related behavior among gold miners. This study explores the prevalence and factors influencing malaria prevention, care seeking and treatment behaviors in Guyana gold mining camps. A cross sectional survey was conducted among adult gold miners living in mining camps in the hinterland Regions 1 (Barima-Waini), 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), and 8 (Potaro-Siparuni). Multivariable logistic regressions explored factors associated with miners' self-report of mosquito net use, prompt care-seeking; self-medication; and testing for malaria. A third of miners used a mosquito net the night preceding the survey and net use was higher among those who believed that net use was the norm in their camp (aOR: 3.11; 95% CI:1.65, 5.88). Less than half (45%) of miners had a fever in the past 12 months, among whom 36% sought care promptly, 48% tested positive for malaria while 54% self-medicated before seeking care. Prompt care-seeking was higher among miners with high malaria knowledge (aOR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.05). Similarly, testing rates increased with secondary education (aOR: 1.71; 95% CI: (1.16, 2.51), high malaria knowledge (aOR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.05), positive beliefs regarding malaria transmission, threat, self-diagnosis, testing and treatment, and, trust in government services (aOR: 1.59; 95% CI (1.12, 2.27) and experience of a prior malaria episode (aOR: 2.62; 95% CI: 1.71, 4.00). Self-medication was lower among male miners (aOR: 0. 52; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.86). Malaria prevention and care seeking behaviors among miners are somewhat low and influenced by mosquito net usage, perceived norms, malaria knowledge and prior episode of confirmed malaria. Study findings have implications for malaria interventions in the hinterland regions of Guyana such as the mass and continuous distribution of insecticide treated nets as well as community case management initiatives using trained malaria testing and treatment volunteers to curb malaria transmission among remote gold mining populations. These include efforts to identify and address gaps in distributing mosquito nets to miners and address miners' barriers to prompt care seeking, malaria testing and treatment adherence. Targeted social and behavior change messaging is needed on net acquisition, use and care, prompt care-seeking, malaria testing and treatment adherence. Additional efforts to ensure the overall sustainability of the community case management initiative include increased publicity of the community case management initiative among miners, use of incentives to promote retention rates among the community case management volunteer testers and public private partnerships between the Guyana Ministry of Health and relevant mining organizations.
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Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Malaria/prevención & control , Mineros/psicología , Aceptación de la Atención de Salud/psicología , Adolescente , Adulto , Servicios de Salud Comunitaria/organización & administración , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Oro , Guyana , Humanos , Malaria/tratamiento farmacológico , Malaria/parasitología , Malaria/transmisión , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Mineros/estadística & datos numéricos , Minería/organización & administración , Mosquiteros/estadística & datos numéricos , Motivación , Aceptación de la Atención de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Asociación entre el Sector Público-Privado , Automedicación/psicología , Automedicación/estadística & datos numéricos , Autoinforme/estadística & datos numéricos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
The mining operations of loading and haulage have an energy source that is highly dependent on fossil fuels. In mining companies that select trucks for haulage, this input is the main component of mining costs. How can the impact of the operational aspects on the diesel consumption of haulage operations in surface mines be assessed? There are many studies relating the consumption of fuel trucks to several variables, but a methodology that prioritizes higher-impact variables under each specific condition is not available. Generic models may not apply to all operational settings presented in the mining industry. This study aims to create a method of analysis, identification, and prioritization of variables related to fuel consumption of haul trucks in open pit mines. For this purpose, statistical analysis techniques and mathematical modelling tools using multiple linear regressions will be applied. The model is shown to be suitable because the results generate a good description of the fuel consumption behaviour. In the practical application of the method, the reduction of diesel consumption reached 10%. The implementation requires no large-scale investments or very long deadlines and can be applied to mining haulage operations in other settings.
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Gasolina , Minería , Modelos Teóricos , Vehículos a Motor , Brasil , Humanos , Minería/organización & administración , Análisis MultivarianteRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: We investigated themes related to the health and environmental impacts of gold mining in El Salvador. METHODS: Over a 1-month period in 2013, we conducted focus groups (n = 32 participants in total) and individual semistructured interviews (n = 11) with community leaders until we achieved thematic saturation. Data collection took place in 4 departments throughout the country. We used a combination of criterion-purposive and snowballing sampling techniques to identify participants. RESULTS: Multiple themes emerged: (1) the fallacy of economic development; (2) critique of mining activities; (3) the creation of mining-related violence, with parallels to El Salvador's civil war; and (4) solutions and alternatives to mining activity. Solutions involved the creation of cooperative microenterprises for sustainable economic growth, political empowerment within communities, and development of local participatory democracies. CONCLUSIONS: Gold mining in El Salvador is perceived as a significant environmental and public health threat. Local solutions may be applicable broadly.
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Ambiente , Oro , Minería/organización & administración , Violencia/psicología , Desarrollo Económico , El Salvador , Femenino , Humanos , Entrevistas como Asunto , Masculino , Investigación CualitativaRESUMEN
A partir do relato de Ernst Hasenclever sobre sua visita à mina de ouro de Gongo-Soco em 1839, o artigo procura compreender o sistema organizacional administrativo e de trabalho implementado pelas empresas inglesas de mineração de ouro em Minas Gerais, sobretudo na segunda metade do século XIX, período no qual o sistema escravista caminhava para seu final. Nosso objetivo é mostrar a continuidade do sistema administrativo e do uso da mão de obra escrava pelas empresas de capital inglês a partir da década de 1830 até o final do século, apesar da pressão exercida pela Inglaterra contra o tráfico transatlântico de escravos e da proibição aos súditos de sua majestade de possuir escravos em qualquer parte do mundo.
Based on the report of Ernst Hasenclever on his visit to the Gong-Soco gold mine in 1839, this article seeks to understand the labor and administrative organizational system implemented by the English gold mining companies in Minas Gerais, especially in the second half of the nineteenth century at a time when the slave-based system was in its final stages. Our objective is to show the continuity of the administrative system and the use of slave labor by the English companies from the 1830s until the end of the century, despite the pressure applied by England against the transatlantic slave trade and the prohibition of Her Majesty’s subjects to own slaves anywhere in the world.
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Historia del Siglo XIX , Oro/historia , Minería/historia , Brasil , Inglaterra , Alemania , Minería/organización & administraciónRESUMEN
Based on the report of Ernst Hasenclever on his visit to the Gong-Soco gold mine in 1839, this article seeks to understand the labor and administrative organizational system implemented by the English gold mining companies in Minas Gerais, especially in the second half of the nineteenth century at a time when the slave-based system was in its final stages. Our objective is to show the continuity of the administrative system and the use of slave labor by the English companies from the 1830s until the end of the century, despite the pressure applied by England against the transatlantic slave trade and the prohibition of Her Majesty's subjects to own slaves anywhere in the world.
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Oro/historia , Minería/historia , Brasil , Inglaterra , Alemania , Historia del Siglo XIX , Minería/organización & administraciónRESUMEN
This paper applies the resilience lens to a social-ecological system characterized by the presence of large-scale mineral extraction operations. The system in question is the Brazilian community of Itabira, Minas Gerais, host to an iron ore operation of Vale, the world's second largest mining corporation. Utilizing a resilience assessment framework, this study describes the various components of the Itabira social-ecological system revealing the challenges brought about by mining's dominance. Data collection included literature reviews and semi-structured interviews with 29 individuals representing different stakeholder groups. Findings revealed that, despite recent efforts by government to regulate the industry, the mine continues to generate press and pulse disturbances that impact the resilience of the community. Operating from the standpoint that resilience depends largely upon the management capacity of stakeholders, the research identifies three ways to improve mining governance in Itabira. First, there is a need for local government to have more power in dealings with the corporation. Concurrent with this power, however, the municipality must demonstrate ownership over its fate, ideally through the creation of a sustainability plan. Finally, all key parties must demonstrate commitment to cooperating to resolve outstanding disturbances, even when these fall outside the regulatory approval process. While Itabira will remain a mining town for the foreseeable future, actions taken now to address challenges will only strengthen community well-being and sustainability moving forward.
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Conservación de los Recursos Naturales/métodos , Regulación Gubernamental , Minería/organización & administración , Medio Social , Brasil , Humanos , Entrevistas como Asunto , Gobierno LocalRESUMEN
La Organización del Trabajo se define como la forma en que el trabajo es diseñado y a los factores económicos que influyen en el diseño de éste. La teoría de rol y los principios de la comunidad ocupacional proveyeron el marco interpretativo para explorar cómo la organización del trabajo predice el estrés en los trabajadores de planta y subcontratados. Se realizó una encuesta a 451 trabajadores en 4 ciudades mineras del norte de Chile, más preguntas abiertas acerca de la percepción del trabajo. La serie de regresiones jerárquicas realizadas mostró que los factores de organización del trabajo asociados a roles explicaron la mayor varianza en el estrés. Respecto a las preguntas abiertas, los trabajadores valoraron la amistad como la principal fuente de bienestar y la falta de apoyo organizacional como la principal fuente de problemas. La diferencia de resultados entre grupos (planta y subcontratados) pone de relieve las inequidades sociales y laborales. Los programas de prevención de riesgos en este ámbito debieran considerar los principios de la comunidad ocupacional en los trabajadores de planta. Asimismo, se sugiere educar en organización del trabajo a los subcontratistas, para promover la salud ocupacional y la seguridad hacia estándares mínimos.
Work organisation refers to the way work is designed and managed, and to the economic factors that shape job design. Role theory and occupational community notions provided the framework for exploring how work organisation predicts work stress in staff and subcontractor groups in the mining industry. A survey was carried out on 451 workers in four Chilean mining cities to explore work organisation and stress issues. Open-ended questions about job perceptions were also asked. A series of hierarchical regressions showed that work organisation factors based on role relationships explain the main variance observed in strains and organisational hazards. Workers' opinions highlight work mates' friendship as the most important source of well-being, and lack of organisational support as the main source of problems. Differences between groups highlight social and work inequalities. Intervention programmes addressing work organisation and stress in this sector should consider occupational community principles for the staff group. Education in work organisation is recommended to raise occupational health and safety minimum standards in subcontractor companies.
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Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Adulto , Estrés Laboral/diagnóstico , Minería/organización & administración , Grupos Profesionales/psicología , Ansiedad , Rol , Chile , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Análisis de Regresión , Depresión , Satisfacción en el TrabajoRESUMEN
Este artigo tem por objetivo discutir o trabalho perigoso e penoso no setor de rochas ornamentais e seus efeitos do ponto de vista da saúde mental a partir dos dados obtidos na pesquisa ?Homens (d)e pedra: trabalho e saúde na extração e beneficiamento de rochas ornamentais?, realizada no estado do Espírito Santo em 2008. O estudo utilizou metodologia qualitativa, possibilitando que os trabalhadores pudessem fazer associações entre seu trabalho e possíveis agravos à saúde. Além das dores pelo corpo, das lombalgias, das alergias, emergiu também o chamado ?estresse?, tendo como fonte a pressão no trabalho. Apartir de um panorama da cultura e da sociabilidade desses trabalhadores,elegemos as categorias de análise entre as fontes da pressão como: as metas, a jornada de trabalho, as relações verticais e as relações horizontais. Esta última foi o contraponto dos efeitos adversos da pressão. Em seguida, discutimos as expressões da pressão, que são os sintomas: insônia, irritabilidade, falta de paciência, submissão e os efeitos sobre a sociabilidade da família. Observamos que os dados sobre sofrimento psíquico expressos pela ideia de ?estresse?, nãoidentificados em estudos anteriores realizados no setor, começaram a surgir na pesquisa acima citada, tornando-se mais um desafio e uma preocupação para o campo temático da Saúde do Trabalhador.
The purpose of this article is to discuss the dangerous and strenuous work carried out within the ornamental stone sector and its effects from the mental health point of view . It is based on data obtained in the research ?Men of/and stone: work and health in ornamental stone extraction and processing?, conducted in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, in 2008. The qualitative approach allowed workers to make associations between their work and its possible negative effects on theirhealth. Besides allergies and body pain, especially in the lumbar region, stress also came forth as resulting from pressure at work. Considering the panorama of those workers? culture and sociability, we selected the analysis categories among the sources of pressure: goals, workday, vertical and horizontal relationships, this last one being the counterpoise for pressure adverse effects. Then, the expressions of the effect of pressure are discussed: insomnia, irritability, lack of patience, submission, and symptoms related to family life. We observed that the psychological suffering expressed by the idea of ?stress?, which was not cited inprevious studies, first emerged in the research mentioned above, bringing one more challenge and concern to the of Worker?s Health.
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Agotamiento Profesional , Salud Mental , Minería/organización & administración , Riesgos Laborales , Grupos Profesionales , Condiciones de TrabajoRESUMEN
Since the 1990s several large companies have been publishing nonfinancial performance reports. Focusing initially on the physical environment, these reports evolved to consider social relations, as well as data on the firm's economic performance. A few mining companies pioneered this trend, and in the last years some of them incorporated the three dimensions of sustainable development, publishing so-called sustainability reports. This article reviews 31 reports published between 2001 and 2006 by four major mining companies. A set of 62 assessment items organized in six categories (namely context and commitment, management, environmental, social and economic performance, and accessibility and assurance) were selected to guide the review. The items were derived from international literature and recommended best practices, including the Global Reporting Initiative G3 framework. A content analysis was performed using the report as a sampling unit, and using phrases, graphics, or tables containing certain information as data collection units. A basic rating scale (0 or 1) was used for noting the presence or absence of information and a final percentage score was obtained for each report. Results show that there is a clear evolution in report's comprehensiveness and depth. Categories "accessibility and assurance" and "economic performance" featured the lowest scores and do not present a clear evolution trend in the period, whereas categories "context and commitment" and "social performance" presented the best results and regular improvement; the category "environmental performance," despite it not reaching the biggest scores, also featured constant evolution. Description of data measurement techniques, besides more comprehensive third-party verification are the items most in need of improvement.
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Conservación de los Recursos Naturales/tendencias , Revelación/tendencias , Minería/tendencias , Auditoría Administrativa , Minería/organización & administración , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud/tendenciasRESUMEN
This article presents a focused study of environmental management in small-scale gold mining, called garimpo, at the Tapajós River in the Amazon basin (Brazil). Environmental management is necessary in this very important area not only for Brazil but for the general world welfare. The fact that this is a very dispersed area, with a very low economic and education level, complicates the issues. Added to these factors are legislation, administration, and control processes which are shown in their historical, technical, health, and economic aspects. Using systemic integration, the article describes how the inherent interests of each part directly or indirectly involved may be articulated to result in self-control. The same approach reveals also the potential conflicts. Some existent proposals are analyzed with regard to the extent to which they can work, given the described aspect.
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Contaminantes Ambientales/análisis , Minería/organización & administración , Brasil , Conservación de los Recursos Naturales , Oro , Humanos , Mercurio/análisis , Minería/legislación & jurisprudencia , Exposición Profesional , Salud Pública , Gestión de Riesgos , Contaminantes del Suelo/análisisRESUMEN
This case study describes the use of a performance analysis system at the Safety Products Division of Mine Safety Appliances Company, which contributed to the reduction of excess inventories by more than $8,000,000 during the first two years of implementation.
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Equipos y Suministros/provisión & distribución , Minería/organización & administración , Ahorro de Costo , Inventarios de Hospitales/economía , Inventarios de Hospitales/métodos , PennsylvaniaRESUMEN
El presente documento trata de las propuestas de reorganización de los servicios médicos de la Corporación Minera de Bolivia,habiendo decidido determinar la mejor forma de prestar servicios de salud en favor de su personal, optar por realizar una consultoría externa a cuyo efecto solicita mediante nota Cite D-108/88. Todos los programas de educación y capacitación estarían dirigidos a un objetivo común que es mejorar el nivel de salud de los trabajadores y benficiarios de la Corporación Minera de Bolivia, procurando extender su cobertura a la población general de su área de influencia