Health Conditions Among Male Workers in Mining and Other Industries That Rely on Manual Labor Occupations: National Health Interview Survey, 2007–2018

Details

• Personal Author:
  Poplin G ; Robinson T ; Scott K ; Sussell, Aaron L.
• Description:
  Background and Objective(s). Mining is an industry with diverse, demanding occupational exposures. The prevalence of chronic health conditions in currently working miners is an area of active research. Of particular interest is how the prevalence of health conditions in miners compares to that of workers employed in other industries with a high proportion of manual labor occupations. Additional comparisons to nonmanual labor groups may also further elucidate health conditions associated with manual labor. Methods. The National Health Interview Survey public data were analyzed for years 2007-2018. Six industry groups with a high proportion of manual labor occupations were identified (mining; oil and gas extraction; construction; manufacturing; transportation and warehousing; and agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting). Female workers were excluded. The prevalence of chronic health outcomes was calculated for each group and compared to nonmanual labor industries. Results. Miners (N [weighted]=164,867), even when compared to industries with similar proportions of manual labor occupations, have increased prevalences of many health conditions. Currently working male miners showed the highest increased prevalence of hypertension (in those < 55 years of age), hearing loss, lower back pain, leg pain progressing from lower back pain, and joint pain, compared to nonmanual labor industries workers. Construction workers also demonstrated high prevalences of pain. Conclusion(s). Work exposures that could contribute to hypertension include stress, shift work, and high noise. Chronic pain is damaging and can lead to other health conditions including opioid misuse, a crisis in the mining and construction industries. Mining employers should continue to identify and minimize work factors that cause injury and ergonomic hazard, and also provide an environment where workers feel comfortable discussing pain management and substance use. Future studies that also include more robust information on workplace exposures are needed. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Cardiovascular Diseases Cardiovascular System Chronic Disease Hearing Loss Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced Men Mining Musculoskeletal Diseases Occupational Health Safety Shift Work Schedule Stress, Psychological

  More +
• Keywords:
  Chronic Diseases Hearing Loss Hypertension Job Stress Miners Mining Industry MSD Musculoskeletal Disorders Shift Work
• Series:
  Mining Publications
• Publisher:
  American Public Health Association
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 10 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  SMRD - Spokane Mining Research Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20066778
• Citation:
  150 Years of Creating the Healthiest Nation: Leading the Path Toward Equity. APHA 150th Annual Meeting and Exposition, November 6-9, 2022, Boston, Massachusetts and virtual event. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association, 2022 Nov; :518393
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2023
• NORA Priority Area:
  Mining
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  150 Years of Creating the Healthiest Nation: Leading the Path Toward Equity. APHA 150th Annual Meeting and Exposition, November 6-9, 2022, Boston, Massachusetts and virtual event
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:0de08a3d6a565fbab5d18bfcc4e1246228152ba112ce3943611adb8b71aa58a9dc597c656c4fff2c296e6a230bca6f06ad3b619f1cec4bb0ae37bdc28acd8458
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/215582/cdc_215582_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 81.39 KB ]