Risk from vibration in Indian mines

Equipment-induced vibration is widely recognized as a health hazard. It is a physical stressor to which many people are exposed at workplace. Mining industry is no exception. In spite of extensive research undertaken in the developed countries, information on the magnitude of the problem in India is not available. An estimated 1 million workers were engaged in the Indian mining industry in the year 2003. The actual figures could be much higher. Analysis of employees’ database of several mines reveals that 18% employees in the Indian mining industry are occupationally exposed to vibration. Large-scale mechanization considerably adds to the severity and complexity of the problem because of 1) increase in the percentage of exposed population and 2) longer duration of exposure. The clinical picture and health outcomes of exposure to hand-arm vibration and whole-body vibration are scantily documented in the Indian context. In view of the health risk and action taken in other countries, we submit that there is an urgent need to develop a practical management strategy for evaluation, monitoring and control of equipment-induced vibration in the mining industry.