Silicosis in India
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Transcript of Silicosis in India
SILICOSIS IN INDIA
INTRODUCTION
One of the oldest known occupational diseases, silicosis is caused by the inhalation of
silica dust. The full name of the illness is 45 letters long (the longest word in the English
language) –pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanokoniosis. Since silica is abundant in
the earth’s crust, many occupations pose the threat of silica dust inhalation. Although
silicosis is fatal and has no cure, it can be prevented if the inhalation of silica dust is
minimized. Silica dust of two to five micron size, when inhaled, travels up to the alveoli
of the lungs. Sizes larger than this are filtered through the nose or thrown out by cilia in
the windpipe. Though highly toxic, silica dust has no smell and offers no warning to the
worker. Following are the stages if the silica based on the years of exposure:
Symptoms of Silicosis:
� Shortness of breath; possible fever.
� Fatigue; loss of appetite.
� Chest pain; dry, nonproductive cough.
� Respiratory failure, which may eventually lead to death.
Acute Accelerated Chronic
symptoms within weeks to 5 yrs.; high concentrations; fibrosis may not be present
5-10 years from 1st exposure; rapid progression; may not be on chest radiograph
after >10 years of exposure
SOURCES OF EXPOSURE:
(Source: Paper-National survey on prevalence of silicosis in India factories-An outline of
proposed action plan, DGFASLI, Mumbai)
Though some operations have been recognized as dangerous operations and special
measures have been laid down for them, there is need to review all the industrial
activities and make a comprehensive list of operations.
Occupations with Potential Exposure
to crystalline silica 1. Abrasive blasters 31. Diatomaceous earth 32.Calciners 61. Motormen
2. Abrasive makers 32. Wood filler workers 62. Oil purifiers
3. Agriculture 33. Electronic equipment makers 63. Oilstone workers
4. Auto garage workers 34. Enamellers
64. Optical equipment
makers
5.Brick layers 35. Farmers 65. Paint mixers
6. Brick makers 36. Quartz workers 66. Polishing soap makers
7. Buffers 37. Refractory makers 67. Porcelain workers
8. Burhstone workers 38. Road constructors 68. Pottery workers
9. Carborundum makers 39. Rock crushers 69. Pouncers
10. Casting cleaners, foundry 40. Rock cutlers 70. Pulp stone workers
11. Cement makers Fettlers 41. Rock drillers 71. Quarry workers
12. Flint workers 42. Rock grinders 72. Soap workers
13. Foundry workers 43. Rock screeners 73. Silica brick workers
14. Furnace liners 44. Rubber compound mixers 74. Silicon alloy makers
15. Fused quartz workers 45. Sand cutters 75. Silver polishers
16. Glass makers 46. Sand pulverisers 76. Slate workers
17. Glaze mixers, pottery 47. Sand blasters 77. Smelters
18. Granite workers 48. Sand paper makers 78. Sodium silicate makers
19. Grinding wheel makers 49. Sandstone grinders 79. Spacecraft workers
20. Grindstone workers 50. Sawyers 80. Stone bed rubbers
21. Hard rock miners 51. Jewelers 81. Stone cutters
22. Insecticide makers 52. Jute workers 82. Stone planers
23. Insulators 53. Kiln liners 83. Street sweepers
24. Cement mixers 54. Lithographers
84. Subway construction workers
25. Ceramic makers 55. Masons 85. Tile makers
26. Chemical glass makers
chipper 56. Metal buffers 86. Tooth paste makers
27. Coal miners 57. Metal burnishers 87. Tube mill liners
28. Construction workers 58. Metal polishers 88. Tumbling barrel workers
29. Cosmetic makers 59. Miners
89.Tunnel construction workers
30. Cutlery makers 60. Mortar makers 90. Whetstone workers
Total workers
Workers at risk of silica
exposure
These occupations largely affecting the workers as well as their surroundings like the family
near to it, environment, women and children.
POPULATION AT OCCUPATIONAL RISK OF SILICOSIS
(Source: A ppt by, Deputy Director of DGMS, Occupational Health Division, DGMS
Ministry of Labour, GOI)
Industry No. of Workers
Mines & Quarries 1700000
Manufacturing of basic
metals & alloys (Steel,
Copper, Ferro- alloys,
Etc.) 629000
Manufacturing of
products (Refractory,
Glass, Mica, etc. 671000
Total 3000000
� Does not include 7,000,000 workers in construction industry
� Does not include workers in unorganized and self employed sector � Does not include workers in approximately 60% of above mentioned
occupations.
The construction sector in India employs some 32 million people, making it the second
biggest employer after agriculture.
(Sources: The Hindu Business Line, Mobile Crèches Labour Mobility Report)
Source: Census of India 2001
Total workers 168101220
Workers at risk of silica exposure-(includes agricultural & allied activities, Mining and quarrying, Construction)
29508563
Problem in India – Factories
0100200300400500600700
Slate
Pen
cil
Cera
mic
Agate
Grin
ding
Stone
Cut
ting
Qua
rtz G
rindin
g
Industries
Qu
an
tity
No. of persons
Examined
Cases of Silicosis
The prevalence of silicosis exists in the areas where the silica dust presents. As the
occupations like construction, stone crushing, mining, glass manufacturing etc are
furnishing in all over the India so the potentiality of silicosis will must be increases. And
as there are lots of industries who doesn’t includes in the given data, hence the chances or
possibility of the silicosis is very high.
Indian council of Medical Research (ICMR) has mentioned in their research report
September 1999 the slate pencil industry and agate grinding industry which carry high
risk are peculiar to India. There are about 3 million workers at high potential risk of silica
exposure. They are employed in various occupations such as in mining and quarries
around17 lakhs; manufacture of non-metallic products i.e. refractory products, structural
clay, glass, mica, etc. includes 6.3 lakhs and manufacture of basic metals and alloys, i.e.
iron and steel, copper, ferroalloys, aluminium, etc has employed 6.7 lakhs. In addition
many of the 54 lakhs construction workers are also said at risk of silica exposure.
National Institute of occupational Health (NIOH) a body of Indian council of Medical
Research (ICMR) working specially on occupational health had carried out industry wise
studies on silicosis prevalence came out with the result that in slate pencil industries
54.6% workers were affected by silicosis. In which 50% of the workers suffering from
silicosis were below 25 years of age and had worked for less than 7 years. In agate
industry of Khambhat Taluka of Gujarat and Jaipur (Rajasthan) 39.8% male and 34.2%
female were affected with silicosis.
Studies in quartz crushing units revealed evidence of silicosis in 12% workers. Another
study among sand grinders, who had worked on an average for only 5 years, showed
28.1% prevalence of silicosis. An environmental and epidemiological survey carried out
in stone quarry workers revealed evidence of silicosis in 22.4% workers.
WHO report on silicosis says that in India 55% of group were found affected with it
and the mean age of death is 35 years.
A survey in 2009, drawing on official data from mines and factories, identifies lead and
zinc mining as the second biggest source of silicosis among Indian mineworkers. The
number one killer is a gold mine in Karnataka.
Problem in India Problem in India Problem in India Problem in India –––– FactoriesFactoriesFactoriesFactories
Industry No. of
persons Examined
Cases
of Silicosis
% of
Silicosis
Slate Pencil 593 354 54.7
Ceramic 292 44 15.1
Agate Grinding 468 136 29.1
Stone Cutting 89 17 19.1
Quartz Grinding 218 91 41.7
GOVERNMENTAL DATA ON SILICOSIS:GOVERNMENTAL DATA ON SILICOSIS:GOVERNMENTAL DATA ON SILICOSIS:GOVERNMENTAL DATA ON SILICOSIS: (Source: Mint- The online edition of Mint business newspaper provides global headline
news, breaking news etc.)
UUUUNFORTUNATELY NFORTUNATELY NFORTUNATELY NFORTUNATELY wewewewe have the governmental have the governmental have the governmental have the governmental data data data data but if but if but if but if
we look inwe look inwe look inwe look into itto itto itto it analytically then analytically then analytically then analytically then we have we have we have we have an unreliable an unreliable an unreliable an unreliable
data.data.data.data.
The government
provides the
data in which we
can hardly see
the cases of
silicosis and
maximum of the
states has no
official data of
occupational
disease.
Here are the data
available through
RTI filed by S A
Azad in February
and can be seen
clearly the
difference in the
data.
And here is
the data
obtained by
DGMS, again
the govt.
But has a
huge
difference
with the
above data.
Now we can estimate that how leniently govt is taking
the occupational health.
In 2003 reported that seven young women near the city of Pondicherry in southern India
have lost their lives due to silicosis. According to press reports, at least one woman in
every household in the two villages has been afflicted with silicosis and suffers from
chronic chest pain, cough, breathlessness and loss of appetite.
International organizations have estimated work-related deaths of around 150,000 each
year in India along with 2 million new cases of occupational diseases
WHO 2002 Fact sheet describes the data that 68% of former stone crusher mill workers
in Lal Kuan, New Delhi had silicosis, silico-tuberculosis or tuberculosis and in India road
building has more than 12,000 stone crushing units employing 500, 000 workers and in
many cases families.
ACT’S AND PROVISIONS, but almost NIL implementation:
THE FACTORIES ACT 1948,
Section 10 of the Act lays down that a State Government may appoint qualified medical
practitioners as ‘certifying surgeons’ to discharge the following duties:
a) Examination and certification of young persons and examination of persons engaged in
‘hazardous occupations’.
b) Exercising medical supervision where the substances used or new manufacturing
processes adopted may result in a likelihood of injury to the workers.
c) Exercising medical supervision in case of young persons to be employed in work likely
to cause injury etc.
Chapter IX, Section 89 (2)
reads as follows:
(2) If any medical
practitioner attends on a
person who is or has been
employed in a factory and
who is or is believed by the
medical practitioner to be,
suffering from any disease
specified in the third
schedule, the medical
practitioner shall without
delay send a report in
writing to the office of the
Chief Inspector stating:
I. The name and fill
postal address of the patient
II. The disease which he believes the patient to be suffering from and
III. The name and address of the factory in which the patient is or was last
employed.
(3) Where the report under section (2) is confirmed to the satisfaction of the chief
Inspector, by the certificates of a certifying surgeon or otherwise, that the person is
suffering from a disease specified in the schedule, he shall pay to the medical practitioner
such as an arrear at Land Revenue from occupier of the factory in which the person
contracted the disease.
(4) If any medical practitioner fails to comply with the provisions of sub-section (2) he
shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees.
Section 41C: This section of The Factories Act, 1948, specifies responsibility of the
occupier in relation to hazardous processes:
• To maintain accurate and up to date medical record of the workers;
• To appoint qualified, experienced and competent supervisors to supervise
handling of hazardous substances;
• Pre-employment and post-employment medical examination of workers, at
regular intervals.
Permissible Exposure Limit
Section 41F: Permissible limits of exposure of chemical and toxic substances have been
prescribed under the Second Schedule. These limits are applicable, whether the industry
is hazardous or not.
The Factories Act, 1948, amended in 1987, pre-scribed Permissible Limits of Exposure
(PLE) (Government of India, 1987). For dust containing quartz, the PLE is based on the
concept that the toxicity of the dust is proportional to the concentration of quartz in it. In
order to have a method of maximal simplicity for routine monitoring of dust
concentration, total and respirable dust PLEs
has been adopted as follows:
PLE for total dust containing free silica =30/
(% quartz+3)
PLE for respirable dust containing free
silica=10/ (% respirable quartz+2).
Although a study conducted by Directorate
General, Factory Advice Service &Labour
Institutes (DGFASLI) in Rajasthan State,
India employing 650 workers in 65 small-scale quartz manufacturing enterprises, came
up with result that the exposure was 7.7 times higher than respirable dust.
Under the WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ACT, 1923 and ESI ACT 1948, workers
are entitled to compensation from their employers for occupational injuries and diseases
(in under section 3, schedule 3).
THE MINES ACT, 1952:
CHAPTER - II
INSPECTORS AND CERTIFYING SURGEONS: Have provisions as follows:
Section 9. Facilities to be afforded to inspectors – Every owner, agent and manager of a
mine shall afford the Chief Inspector and every Inspector and every person authorized
under section 8 all reasonable facilities for making any entry, Inspection; survey,
measurement, examination or inquiry under this Act.
Sub-section(2): Every person employed in a mine who is chosen for examination in any
safety and occupational health survey under sub-section (10 shall present himself for such
examination and at such place as may be necessary and shall furnish all information
regarding his work and health in connection with the said survey.
Sub-section(4): Any person who, on examination under sub-section (2) is found
medically unfit to discharge the duty which he was discharging in a mine immediately
before such presentation shall be entitled to undergo medical treatment at the cost of the
owner, agent and manager with full wages during the period of such treatment.
NATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH POLICY 1986: Includes the strategies to
achieve the occupational health safety at national level. Hence it goals and objectives can
be fulfilled by the action programme which says to take actions, such as: Enforcement of
existing laws pertinent to Occupational Health, by developing appropriate standards,
codes of practices and manuals on safety, health and environment, by encouraging the
appropriate Government, social partners etc., by increasing awareness, by research and
development, by occupational safety and health skills development, by data collection
etc.
ACTION’S TAKEN FOR SILICOSIS:
SUPREME COURT’S ACTION:
In 2006 PRASAR had filed a PIL in Supreme Court of India. In which now National
Human Rights Commission became co-petitioner. The Supreme Court has held in its first
order, in hearing dated 05/03/2009 that, the Central Pollution Control Board will be given
notice for being the addition respondent in matter of silicosis. Based on the findings of
that National human rights commission had to conduct further a survey regarding
silicosis, take up the specific and confirmed cases of persons who are suffering from
silicosis and have to recommend to provide immediate medical relief to them through the
concerned authorities, and to provide the compensation through the concerned authorities
in case of those persons who died because of silicosis.
The State of Madhya Pradesh is impleaded as a party respondent to response regarding
taking remedial steps for preventing silicosis in hearing held on date 1st February 2010
NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHT’S COMMISSION’S ACTION:
In 2006, PRASAR had filed a PIL in Supreme Court of India. In which now National
Human Rights Commission has became co-petitioner.
National Human Rights Commission has become the co-petitioner in the PIL of People’s
Rights and Social Research Centre (PRASAR) and Others vs. Union of India and others
to Supreme Court and taking all required action under their objectives. Like National
Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recommended providing immediate medical
relief to silicosis victims through the concerned authorities and in case of those persons,
who died because of silicosis, may provide for compensation through the concerned
authorities.
The notice has been issued under Section 85 of the Factories Act 1948 by the States,
directed by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) that less than 10 labourers are
also come under the purview of the Act .
CONCLUSION
Silicosis is incurable but preventable disease. As it’s the concerned issue of industries,
employers, employees and government etc. we have to take the steps to prevent the
workers from getting exposed to silica dust. For this government and industries
collectively will have to put the measures to prevent the silica dust exposure which is the
solely cause of silicosis.
In Indian situation silicosis should be regarded as a major cause of tuberculosis since
under nourished and overworked workers who often have to stay at the place of work
which may be a quarry or mine have much higher chance of getting tuberculosis.
Unfortunately, in India unlike in UK, tuberculosis in mines is not regarded as an
occupational disease. So we must declare tuberculosis an occupational disease for those
exposed to silica.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
• Make a national policy for the prevention, control and elimination of silica
exposure and silicosis. Ensure that primary prevention, engineering controls like
dust suppression are promoted
• Enforce the law more rigorously making sure that all stakeholders are sensitized
about the menace of silica. All those involved in the care of silica exposed
workers including the worker, must be sensitized about the silica and disease
related to silica exposure.
• Every Unit should have an OHS/silicosis Committee with the Representation of
Workers & Union.
• Make a national Task Force for addressing all aspects of silicosis.
• The task force should comprise of health and safety professionals, mine owners,
physicians, policy makers, representatives of NGOs and Trade Unions, regulatory
agencies.
• Allocate budget for the task force and make a small secretariat.
• In each district where Industry, mining, quarrying or big construction projects are
on, identify a facility for establishing diagnosis of silicosis and train physicians
entrusted with the task in reading and interpreting the X-Rays.
• Silicosis/Occupational disease should be covered under the Disability Act and the
Silicosis/Occupational disease patient must get all the benefit under the Act. As if
a Person has lost his external part of the body then he can claim all the benefit
given under the disability Act, but if a person has lost his internal part of body
(i.e. Lung) then why he can’t claim the same.
• OHS Should be a Compulsory Subject in the Medical College and must be a
Chapter from School as they should be know the side effect of the OHS Hazards
on their parents as he will get the lesion from the same and be the awareness
about the same for his own life
• Make a national data bank of all silicosis cases.
• Organize each year a national convention inviting the stake holders to discuss the
issues and identify the gaps.
• Make an inventory and register all the workplaces where silica exposure occurs.
• District magistrates must have the information as to how many workplaces and
how many workers are at risk from silica exposure.
• Make sub-groups to deal with engineering problems and health issues.
• Levy a cess on the mine owners and quarry owners to create a corpus to be spent
on the welfare and compensation.
• In districts where silica exposure occurs to large number of people, make special
beds available for the victims for dealing with the end results, and complication of
silicosis such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Corpulmonale, and lung
cancer.
• The victims of silicosis should be rehabilitated by offering them alternate jobs or
a subsistence pension as they are unable to work.
• NGOs/ Trade Union should be involved in the monitoring of the programme
initiated for the benefit of silica exposed workers.
• The Factory Act-1948, Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act-1970, and
The Mine Act, 1952 Should be Review and try to find the solution that why these
act can’t successfully implemented and be the Simply to these act as these can
implement successfully.
• The Accountability for the Implementation and control over the rules &
Regulation or Laws must be review time to time and there should be the provision
of the penalty, if the above is not implemented.
• Implementation of engineering controls and containment methods such as blast-
cleaning machines and cabinets, wet drilling, or wet sawing of silica-containing
materials to control the hazard and protect adjacent workers from exposure.
• Development of simple guidance for employers to put controls in place to reduce
silica exposures.
• Administrative measures ensured regularly for safe functioning specially by the
industries or occupier.
• Silicosis Surveillance Systems
• Training and awareness of stakeholders on silicosis.
• Wear disposable or washable protective clothes at the worksite
• Use adequate respiratory protection when source controls cannot keep silica
exposures below the minimum amount permissible according to the Act.
• Provide periodic medical examinations for all workers who may be exposed to
respirable crystalline silica.
• Post warning signs to mark the boundaries of work areas contaminated with
respirable crystalline silica.
• Provide workers with training that includes information about health effects, work
practices, and protective equipment for respirable crystalline silica.
• Report all cases of silicosis to State health departments
REFERENCES:
1. Silica and Silicosis: Indira Chakravorthy, Centre for Education and
Communication, New Delhi, First edition 1992.
2. Safety and Health in the Stone crushing industry: N.Wagner,
M.Nithiyananthan, L.Farina (eds.), Ecohealth Program, International
Develpoment Research Centre, Canada.
3. Paper-National survey on prevalence of silicosis in India factories-An outline
of proposed action plan, S.K.Saxena, Director General Factory Advice,
Mumbai.
4. A story of worker’s struggle on compensation for silicosis, Society for
Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA), New Delhi.
5. Labor Laws, Everybody Should Know, H. L. Kumar, Universal Law
Publishing Co.
6. Health and safety concerns at work: http://www.paycheck.in/main/health-and-
safety-concerns-at-work
7. How to prevent silicosis:
http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/Documents/Publications/AlertsGuidesHaz
ards/ConstructionElectricalPlumbing/dust_in_the_workplace_how_to_prevent
_silicosis_0351.pdf
8. The Factories Act, 1948,
http://www.vakilno1.com/bareacts/factoriesact/factoriesact.html
CAMPAIGN FOR PREVENTION OF SILICOSISCAMPAIGN FOR PREVENTION OF SILICOSISCAMPAIGN FOR PREVENTION OF SILICOSISCAMPAIGN FOR PREVENTION OF SILICOSIS
PEOPLE’S RIGHTS & SOCIAL RESEARCH CENTRE (PRASAR)
H-12/16/854, Buddh Bazaar, Sangam Vihar, New Delhi-110062
www.prasar.org, E.mail: [email protected], [email protected]
Mobile: 09811914329