Question : SILICOSIS DISEASE

(a) whether workers in stone crushing and mining factories are suffering from silicosis disease;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the number of workers affected during each of the last three years and the current years, State-wise;

(c) whether the Government proposes to introduce any legislation/regulation to provide healthy working conditions and sophisticated equipments for prevention of such occupational diseases;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether the Government also proposes to provide compensation to the workers or their families of those who have lost their health and lives due to silicosis; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT(SHRI HARISH RAWAT)

(a): Yes Sir, such reports have been received.

(b): This information is not maintained centrally.

(c) & (d): There are adequate legislative provisions under the Factories Act, 1948 and the Mines Act, 1952. The Factories Act, 1948, is applicable to the factories employing ten or more workers and where manufacturing process is carried on with the aid of power, Section 85 of the Act also empowers State Governments to declare applicability of any or all the provisions of the Act to any place wherein manufacturing process is carried on, irrespective of number of workers employed. The Factories Act contains adequate provisions for ensuring safe and healthy working conditions for the workers employed in factories including stone crushing factories. The State Governments have also notified Rules detailing the requirements relating to safety, health, welfare, working hours etc. of workers employed in such factories.

Section 9A of the Mines Act, 1952 provides for undertaking safety and occupational health surveys in mines after giving appropriate notice. Section 25 of the Mines Act, 1952 provides that if any person employed in mine contracts any disease notified by Central Government in the Official Gazette as a disease connected with mining operations, the owner, agent or manager of the mine shall send notice thereof to the Chief Inspector and other authorities.

(e) & (f): The Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923 and the Employees State Insurance Act, 1948 address the issues relating to compensation and rehabilitation.