THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)
(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 88* FOR 3RD DECEMBER, 2021
(a) to (c) Occupational safety and health survey for silicosis was carried out by Directorate General Factory Advice Service and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI) jointly with State Factory Inspectorates throughout the country. The details of the number of workers State-wise/UT-wise identified as suffering from Silicosis/Pneumoconiosis and the numbers of workers who had died due to Silicosis in the last 10 years as on 08.03.2018 are at Annexure I.
On the basis of information received from the mine owners by the Directorate General of Mines and Safety, and the Medical Camps conducted by National Institute of Miners health and that of Directorate General of Mines safety, the total number of Silicosis cases detected in the persons employed in the mines of the country, state / UT, district wise is at Annexure-II.
Health is a state subject and compensation for silicosis affected person is given under Employee Compensation Act, 1923 which is administered by Compensation Commissioners of respective States.
There are also provisions to protect the interest of labourers affected by the notified diseases under the Mines Act, 1952. The mines owners are required to comply with the provisions viz. to provide alternate employment in the mine for which he is medically fit, disability allowance determined in accordance with the rates prescribed etc
(d) & (e) Silicosis is a notified disease under the Mines Act (1952) and the Factories Act (1948). The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also emphasized for regulation of working environment, protective equipment to workers with proper health education.
Indian Council of Medical Research -National Institute of Occupational Health (ICMR-NIOH) under Department of Health Research (DHR) has developed several technologies for reduction of dust levels and diagnosis of silicosis. It has also developed techniques for prevention and control of silicosis in agate workers and quartz cutting industries.
Silicosis health-care units have been established in silicosis-risk districts by the States, where free chest X-ray and pulmonary function tests are done. Regular inspections are made to industries that use silica, with active involvement of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to ensure proper monitoring.
IEC Booklets about silicosis by ‘National Institute of Occupational Health’ (NIOH), India have been prepared and are available at: http://niohenvis.nic.in/booklets/silicosis.pdf and http://niohenvis.nic.in/booklets/silicosis1.pdf
Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Condition Code 2020 (OSHWC) has made it mandatory for all employers to provide annual health checks free of cost as prescribed by the appropriate Government.
Further, DGFASLI is conducting training programmes, workshops, seminars, conferences and appreciation programmes for creating awareness for the prevention and safeguard against Silicosis. The Chief Inspectors of Factories / Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health, (CIF/DISH) are also conducting awareness programmes on providing safeguards against Silicosis. Following measure have been taken to protect the mine workers:
i. Wet drilling
ii. Periodic monitoring of dust levels at workplace.
iii. Use of Dust mask and Dust respirator as Personal Protective Equipments.
iv. Initial Medical Examination before employment and periodical Medical Examinations of persons employed in mines at an interval of 5 years.
v. Occupational Health Surveys
vi. Awareness campaigns
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