Risks of the occupational pathology development among the workers in modern converter production

Abstract

We aimed to reduce a risk of the professional pathology among the workers of the main professions in modern converter production. Materials and methods. We used hygienic, epidemiological and mathematical-and-statistical methods in the research. The main group was presented by the workers of the main professions of the converter production (984 persons): steelmaker and steelmaker’s assistant - 351 persons, ladle man – 194 persons, mixer man and mixer man’s assistant – 145 persons, steel caster – 294 persons. The control group was presented by the workers of the mechanical-repair department which were not affected the unhealthy occupational factors during their work. Results. The working conditions at the modern converter plants don’t meet the hygienic standards. Both in the main group and in the control one the respiratory system diseases are at the first place, the diseases of the blood circulation are at the fourth one in the morbidity structure with a temporary disability (MRTD). It is connected with a complex impact of the high dust concentrations, mainly of fibrogenic effect, heating microclimate, and hard physical work on the workers. The highest levels of MRTD from the respiratory system diseases at the converter plant were registered among the steelmakers and the steelmaker’s assistants both by the number of cases and by the amount of the days of disability. Current situation with the occupational pathology morbidity levels in the metallurgical industry needs development and implementation of the system of the management of the professional risks that exist among the workers of main professions in modern converter production. The mechanism of modern prophylaxis has been proposed taking into account the experience of the leading European countries. The employer must introduce the events for the protection of the workers’ health and safety on the base of this mechanism. This is a concept of risk assessment and management by the risks for the health of the workers.