Cross-Sectional Survey of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Workers Practicing Traditional Methods of Underground Coal Mining

Reducing musculoskeletal disorders in iron ore mine operators: A fuzzy-based intervention approach

BACKGROUND

This study focuses on evaluating the exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) and association of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) with various risk factors among dumper operators in the mining industry. Despite the issue's significance, prior research has been limited.

OBJECTIVE

The study introduces a novel fuzzy-based approach for identifying, selecting, and prioritizing safety measures to mitigate MSD risks.

METHODS

Data collection comprised face-to-face interviews, anthropometric measurements, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) scoring for posture assessment, and the Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire for assessment of MSD prevalence. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were used to analyse the contributing risk factors to MSDs and WBV exposure. These risk factors formed the basis for a practical approach to select appropriate safety measures based on fuzzy based aggregation method of expert's judgment aimed at mitigating the risk of MSDs.

RESULTS

The results revealed that the risk factors such as poor work posture, WBV exposure and poor seat design were significantly associated with neck (adjusted odds ratio aOR = 4.81), upper limb and shoulder (aOR = 3.28), upper back (aOR = 5.09), and lower back pain (aOR = 3.67) at p < 0.05. Using these factors to formulate safety measures to reduce MSD risk, the minimization of sharp turns and abrupt changes in elevation in designing the haul roads, scheduled maintenance practices, and ergonomic seat design were found as important safety measures in this study.

CONCLUSION

Our unique methodological approach in occupational health research could be highly beneficial for tailoring safety measures at the unit level with minimal effort.

Assessment of heavy metal contamination in street dust: concentrations, bioaccessibility, and human health risks in coal mine and thermal power plant complex

Coal mining has also been associated with adverse environmental and health impacts including cancer and respiratory disorders, with the presence of thermal power plants exacerbating the problem of heavy metal pollution. Minimal studies have been conducted on the environmental impacts, health risks, and bioaccessibility of heavy metals in coal mine areas. Consequently, samples of street dust were collected from different locations in the Singrauli mine complex and analysed. Heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Cr, Co, As, and Mo) were found to be higher than the background concentration, with the maximum concentration was found in areas close to the Thermal Power Plants, like Near Vindyachal TPP, Near Shakti Nagar TPP, and Anpara. The highest geo-accumulation index value was found for Co, Mo, Zn, and As, indicating moderate to strong pollution levels. Health risk assessment (for both adults and children) revealed that Cr and Fe posed significantly higher Hazard Quotient and Hazard Index (HI) values, indicating significant non-carcinogenic threats. Moreover, Carcinogenic Risk (CR) values for Cd, Cr, and Ni indicated a risk of carcinogenicity to the public exposed to road dust. The study also examined the bioaccessibility of the metals, which showed that the gastric phase accumulated a higher percentage of Ni (42.52%), Pb (34.79%), Co (22.22%), As (20%) and Cu (15%) than the intestinal phase. Strong positive correlation was observed between metal concentration (Cu, Pb, Cr, Fe, Zn, and Mn), HI, and CR of adult and child, while bioaccessibility of intestinal phase was positively correlated with gastric phase of metals (Cu, Ni, Co, As, and Mn).

Identifying the water quality variation characteristics and their main driving factors from 2008 to 2020 in the Yellow River Basin, China

Understanding of the water quality dynamics and their main influence factors is crucial for sustainable water environment management especially in the sensitive ecosystem area. Here, the spatiotemporal dynamic of water quality in the Yellow River Basin from 2008 to 2020 and its relationship with physical geography, human activities, and meteorology were studied by using Pearson correlation test, and a generalized linear model. The results showed that water quality was significantly improved since 2008, which was reflected from the decreasing trend of the permanganate index (COD_Mn) and ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N), and increasing trend of the dissolved oxygen (DO). However, the total nitrogen (TN) remained severely polluted with average annual concentration inferior to level V. Spatially speaking, the water quality in the upper and lower reaches was better than that of the middle reaches. The whole basin was severely contaminated by TN with 2.62 ± 1.52, 3.91 ± 1.71, and 2.91 ± 1.20 mg L^-1 from upper, middle, and lower reaches, respectively. Thus, TN should be paid much attention in the water quality management of the Yellow River Basin. The water quality improvement could be attributed to the reduction of pollution discharges and ecological restoration. Further analysis found the variation of water consumption and increase of forest and wetland area contributed 39.90% and 47.49% for COD_Mn and 58.92% and 30.87% for NH₃-N, respectively. Meteorological variables and total water resources contributed slightly. This study is expected to provide in-depth insights for the water quality dynamics and their response to human activities and natural factors in the Yellow River Basin, which could provide theoretical references for water quality protection and management.

Association of psychological symptoms with job burnout and occupational stress among coal miners in Xinjiang, China: A cross-sectional study

Objective

The study aimed to investigate the influencing factors of psychological symptoms in relation to job burnout and occupational stress among coal miners in Xinjiang, so as to provide data support for enterprises in an effort to help them identify internal psychological risk factors and improve the mental health of coal miners.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out. A total of 12 coal mines were selected using the stratified cluster random sampling method and 4,109 coal miners were investigated by means of online electronic questionnaires. The Symptoms Check List-90 (SCL-90), Chinese Maslach Burnout Inventory (CMBI), and Job Demand-Control (JDC) model were respectively used to measure the status of psychological symptoms, job burnout, and occupational stress among coal miners. The mediation analysis was performed through structural equation modeling (SEM) by using Analysis of Moment Structure (AMOS).

Results

The prevalence of psychological symptoms was higher in the occupational stress group than in the non-occupational stress group, and increased with job burnout (P < 0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis results showed that mild (OR = 1.401, 95% CL: 1.165, 1.685), moderate (OR = 2.190, 95% CL: 1.795, 2.672), or severe levels of burnout (OR = 6.102, 95% CL: 3.481, 10.694) and occupational stress (OR = 1.462, 95% CL: 1.272, 1.679) were risk factors for psychological symptoms in coal miners. The results of structural equation modeling indicated that occupational stress (β = 0.11, P = 0.002) and job burnout (β = 0.46, P = 0.002) had significant positive direct effects on psychological symptoms, and job burnout was an intermediate variable between occupational stress and psychological symptoms.

Conclusion

High levels of job burnout and occupational stress were risk factors for psychological symptoms. Both occupational stress and job burnout had direct effects on psychological symptoms, and occupational stress could also have an indirect effect on coal miners' psychological symptoms through the intermediate variable of job burnout.

A Comprehensive Review of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Mining Sector and Scope for Ergonomics Design Interventions

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are prevalent in many industries worldwide, including the large and labor-intensive mining sector. A systematic review was carried out to understand problems in the mining sector issues from three broad perspectives: 1) the prevalence of WMSDs among miners; 2) the association of occupational, psychosocial, environmental, and other risk factors with WMSDs causation; and 3) ergonomics interventions already proposed or implemented, and scope for design interventions. Our review revealed that automation, job aids, and displays are methods suitable for ergonomic design interventions. Ergonomic intervention strategies at various hierarchical levels, and the successive way forward as proposed in our review, could act as a catalyst in formulating problem-specific solution strategies by the participation of diverse stakeholders to implement a more human-centric workplace.