Southern Regional review meeting on silicosis
The National Human Rights Commission organized the southern regional review meeting on silicosis in Bengaluru on the 18th November, 2011. The participating States included Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Pudducherry, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Chairing the meeting, Mr. P.C. Sharma, Member, NHRC stressed the need for identification of hazardous industries and mapping them for silica generation which causes silicosis, a disease of the lungs which is incurable. He said that preventive measures by silica generating industries can reduce the chances of silicosis among workers. Regular medical health check-up of workers should be done. In case they become victims of silicosis, their families should be given adequate compensation, irrespective of whether they belonged to the organized or the unorganized sector.
Member Sharma said that the State Governments have been generally reluctant to acknowledge the existence of silicosis among workers. The information sent by the State Governments on the questionnaire circulated by the NHRC, in 2008, was patchy and sometimes even vague.
Responding to the concerns raised by the NHRC,theofficers of Andhra Pradesh Government infor-med that a baseline survey has been carried out in which 1965 industries have been covered and a total of 27,800 persons have been screened in the State. The exact number of silicosis affected workers and provisions for their relief and minimum wages etc. will be submitted through a final report by the 31st December, 2011.
The representatives of the Karnataka Govern-ment informed that out of 13,500 registered factories, 200 have been found silicosis-prone and about 20,000 workers are exposed to silica dust. Five districts of Belgaum, Bellary, Koppal, Chitradurga and Shimogha are prone to silicosis. The identified industries include foundries, stone-crushers, ore beneficiation plants and glass manufacturing. They said that the State Government did not receive any information on a silicosis affected person needing either compensation or rehabilitation. A survey of 150 industries is under way and it will be completed by January, 2012.
The NHRC Member said that the Karnataka Government needs to workout a comprehensive programme for the Bellary region to address the problems of the labourers just as the Odisha Govern-ment had done for the development of the KBK districts. A suggestion also came up for setting up a Silicosis Board at national level to address the issue better.
The officers of the Tamil Nadu Government informed that 32 manufacturing industries were identified as hazardous industries out of which 6 were prone to silicosis in the State. Screening of all the labourers working in dust prone industries is being carried out. 27 suspect cases of silicosis had been referred for further examination. A survey of various industries, workers and their problems will be completed by March, 2012.
The Puducherry Government through its representative informed that there was no case of silicosis in the State. However, given that there are some silica causing industries, like glass manufacturing and ceramic tiles, the workers are being educated about the risks to their health. They are also being asked to use protective gear while working.
The representative of the Kerala Government informed that there was no problem of silicosis in the State. However, he said that the State would complete a survey in this regard by the 31st December, 2011.
The officers of National Institute of Occupational Hazards, DG FASLI and Director General of Mines Safety and the NHRC, Joint Secretary (Trg.), Mr. J.S. Kochher also participated in the discussions.
Chairing the meeting, Mr. P.C. Sharma, Member, NHRC stressed the need for identification of hazardous industries and mapping them for silica generation which causes silicosis, a disease of the lungs which is incurable. He said that preventive measures by silica generating industries can reduce the chances of silicosis among workers. Regular medical health check-up of workers should be done. In case they become victims of silicosis, their families should be given adequate compensation, irrespective of whether they belonged to the organized or the unorganized sector.
Member Sharma said that the State Governments have been generally reluctant to acknowledge the existence of silicosis among workers. The information sent by the State Governments on the questionnaire circulated by the NHRC, in 2008, was patchy and sometimes even vague.
Responding to the concerns raised by the NHRC,theofficers of Andhra Pradesh Government infor-med that a baseline survey has been carried out in which 1965 industries have been covered and a total of 27,800 persons have been screened in the State. The exact number of silicosis affected workers and provisions for their relief and minimum wages etc. will be submitted through a final report by the 31st December, 2011.
The representatives of the Karnataka Govern-ment informed that out of 13,500 registered factories, 200 have been found silicosis-prone and about 20,000 workers are exposed to silica dust. Five districts of Belgaum, Bellary, Koppal, Chitradurga and Shimogha are prone to silicosis. The identified industries include foundries, stone-crushers, ore beneficiation plants and glass manufacturing. They said that the State Government did not receive any information on a silicosis affected person needing either compensation or rehabilitation. A survey of 150 industries is under way and it will be completed by January, 2012.
The NHRC Member said that the Karnataka Government needs to workout a comprehensive programme for the Bellary region to address the problems of the labourers just as the Odisha Govern-ment had done for the development of the KBK districts. A suggestion also came up for setting up a Silicosis Board at national level to address the issue better.
The officers of the Tamil Nadu Government informed that 32 manufacturing industries were identified as hazardous industries out of which 6 were prone to silicosis in the State. Screening of all the labourers working in dust prone industries is being carried out. 27 suspect cases of silicosis had been referred for further examination. A survey of various industries, workers and their problems will be completed by March, 2012.
The Puducherry Government through its representative informed that there was no case of silicosis in the State. However, given that there are some silica causing industries, like glass manufacturing and ceramic tiles, the workers are being educated about the risks to their health. They are also being asked to use protective gear while working.
The representative of the Kerala Government informed that there was no problem of silicosis in the State. However, he said that the State would complete a survey in this regard by the 31st December, 2011.
The officers of National Institute of Occupational Hazards, DG FASLI and Director General of Mines Safety and the NHRC, Joint Secretary (Trg.), Mr. J.S. Kochher also participated in the discussions.