Mining is a heavy industry, with toxic properties from the specific working environment, containing many risks affecting the health of workers. To proactively control and prevent occupational diseases for workers, Vietnam National Coal - Mineral Industries Group (TKV) has invested in upgrading production lines, improving working spaces with guaranteed microclimate conditions; promoting health care and preventive treatment for workers.
5 years ago, Mr. Nguyen Kim Vien - a coal miner of Mong Duong Coal Joint Stock Company - Vinacomin was diagnosed with silicosis, with a 31% reduction in working capacity. "According to TKV regulations, workers with silicosis of 31% or more will be treated at the Coal - Mineral Hospital, with specialized medical indications such as lung lavage. Since discovering silicosis, I have also enjoyed full treatment and nursing benefits to recover my health to the best level. Since then, with my personal wishes, Mong Duong Coal Joint Stock Company has arranged for me to work at the Furnace Transport Workshop 1 to suit my health condition," said Nguyen Kim Vien.
Silicosis is just one of the most common occupational diseases in the coal industry. According to the Law on Occupational Safety and Health 2015, occupational diseases are diseases that arise due to harmful working conditions of the occupation that affect the health of workers. Some occupational diseases cannot even be completely cured and leave sequelae later. However, occupational diseases can be prevented through annual health check-ups.
At units under TKV, periodic health check-ups, occupational disease check-ups, rest and rehabilitation regimes for workers... have been implemented by businesses. Units have arranged staff to do medical work and established medical stations. Small-scale units with scattered operations have signed contracts with local medical facilities to manage occupational hygiene, take care of workers' health, and provide emergency care. Through periodic health check-ups and occupational disease check-ups, patients with acute diseases have been detected early and treated promptly. 100% of workers with chronic diseases and pneumoconiosis are regularly monitored, cared for, treated, and rehabilitated effectively. In cases where diseases are detected, the unit will create conditions for treatment and arrange suitable jobs.
According to Dr. Dinh Hai Long, Head of the Medical Station of Mong Duong Coal Joint Stock Company - Vinacomin, out of a total of 3,000 officers and workers of the Company who receive annual health check-ups, more than 2,000 people are examined and detected with occupational diseases. In the past 5 years, the rate of workers who receive periodic occupational disease check-ups has fluctuated from 5-7.7%/year. In 2024, the number of workers with occupational diseases who need treatment will be 21. The number of workers eligible for lung washing for preventive treatment will be 57.
Coal mining in general and underground coal mining in particular are production activities with specific factors in the working environment that easily generate a lot of coal dust and noise. Therefore, units focus on improving the quality of labor protection equipment to protect workers from the effects of smoke, dust, noise, vibration, toxic gases, etc. TKV's coal mining environment has also had many remarkable improvements when increasing the application of scientific and technological advances in the direction of mechanization, automation, and computerization to produce safely, reduce human labor, and improve microclimate conditions.
However, the coal industry is still a heavy industry with a high rate of workers suffering from occupational diseases; especially when work pressure is increasing, mining conditions are getting deeper, the environment is harsh... Another reason for the increase in the rate of workers suffering from occupational diseases is that workers' awareness and psychology about occupational diseases are not really adequate.
For example, with Mong Duong Coal Joint Stock Company, the company's lung washing results in 2024 only reached 45/57 people, equal to 79% of the plan. The main reason for the sharp decline in the number of lung washing cases is mainly due to the psychology of the workers. Most of the workers who are eligible for the working time and are assigned to go for lung washing refuse this regime, due to concerns that they will not be entitled to occupational disease benefits if they are cured before being assessed. In addition, the time to perform a lung washing case is long (from 22-30 days) and during this time the workers are paid the salary stated in the labor contract, so it is lower than going to work.
Controlling occupational diseases is the responsibility of the enterprise, but also the responsibility of the workers themselves for their own health. Correct and complete awareness of occupational diseases to proactively prevent them, as well as mastering the benefits of the regime and policies for workers in the enterprise will help each worker limit the risk of occupational diseases and the consequences of occupational diseases. Ensuring the health of workers is also an important factor helping TKV maintain effective production and business and sustainable development.
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