ASSESSMENT OF COMPLIANCE TO OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY SERVICES IN THE ARTISANAL SMALL-SCALE GOLD MINES OF MUMBWA DISTRICT, ZAMBIA
Notice bibliographique
Résumé
Abstract Mercury-dependent gold mining operations expose workers to occupational health and safety hazards due to mercury’s toxicity. This study assessed occupational health and safety (OHS) services provided in mercury-based gold mines in Mumbwa District, Zambia, aiming to evaluate compliance with OHS standards and identify prevalent health hazards faced by miners. A sequential mixed-methods approach was used. Data was collected through questionnaires from 108 conveniently sampled miners, while qualitative data was gathered through in-depth interviews with safety supervisors. Observational checklists were also used in the mines. Workers were exposed to dust and particulate matter (98%), and mercury exposure (62.7%), among other hazards. Compliance with OHS standards was lacking: only 23.8% of mines complied with training standards, and 33.3% with health checks. No mines had onsite medical services. Higher compliance rates were observed for reporting systems (66.7%), first aid services (62%), and fire safety measures (66.7%). Miners in gold amalgamation processes faced mercury exposure, respiratory risks from dust, and environmental contamination. Among workers in mercury-based gold mines, satisfaction was significantly higher among those who received training (OR = 4.82, p = 0.002), had access to First Aid services (OR = 5.88, p = 0.006), and possessed greater experience (OR = 2.75, p = 0.036), while education showed a non-significant trend (OR = 1.92, p = 0.097), and neither gender (OR = 2.25, p = 0.240) nor fire safety measures (OR = 0.96, p = 0.944) were statistically associated with satisfaction. Facilitators to compliance included a safe work environment, regulations and enforcement, and management support, while barriers included financial constraints, lack of training and awareness, and resistance to change. There is an urgent need for enhanced training programs, onsite medical services, and improved worker participation through OHS committees. Comprehensive strategies are needed to improve OHS compliance and protect miners’ health in Mumbwa, District. Author Summary This study evaluates the level of compliance with occupational health and safety (OHS) protocols among artisanal small-scale gold miners in Mumbwa District, Zambia. Using a mixed-methods design, data were collected from miners to assess adherence to safety standards, availability and use of personal protective equipment, and knowledge of health hazards associated with mining activities. The findings reveal critical gaps in safety compliance, highlighting the need for improved regulatory enforcement, targeted health promotion, and safety training tailored to artisanal miners. This research provides important insights for policymakers and stakeholders to enhance OHS practices, reduce workplace injuries, and promote sustainable mining livelihoods in low-resource settings.
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Comment cette classification a été obtenuedéplier
Prédiction machine sur la base complète
Imitation des enseignantsNi prévalence calibrée, ni vérité terrain. Validation humaine à venir. Le volet Gemma est une étiquette directe du modèle pour chaque travail de la base, lue sur la notice réduite au titre. Le volet Codex est un classifieur appris des 10 348 étiquettes directes de Codex et calibré sur les taux pondérés de l'échantillon; les champs sans appui suffisant ne portent aucun appel Codex. Le mode candidate est l'union des deux volets; le consensus est leur intersection. Ces sorties portent le statut machine_predicted_unvalidated et ne sont pas des étiquettes humaines.
Scores du classifieur distillé par catégorie (deux têtes)
| Catégorie | Codex | Gemma |
|---|---|---|
| Métarecherche | 0,001 | 0,003 |
| Méta-épidémiologie (sens strict) | 0,000 | 0,000 |
| Méta-épidémiologie (sens large) | 0,000 | 0,000 |
| Bibliométrie | 0,001 | 0,001 |
| Études des sciences et des technologies | 0,001 | 0,001 |
| Communication savante | 0,001 | 0,000 |
| Science ouverte | 0,000 | 0,001 |
| Intégrité de la recherche | 0,000 | 0,000 |
| Charge utile insuffisante (le modèle a refusé de juger) | 0,001 | 0,000 |
Scores machine (provisoires)
Les deux têtes enseignantes du modèle étudiant, lues sur ce travail. Un score ordonne la base pour la relecture; il n'affirme jamais une catégorie, et le statut de validation accompagne chaque rangée tel quel.
Scores de référence d'un modèle non mature (critères de maturité non atteints, 7 itérations). Un score ordonne; il n'affirme jamais une catégorie.
score_only:v0-immature-baseline · tel quel depuis la passe de notation : score_only signifie que le nombre peut ordonner les travaux, et qu'aucune étiquette de catégorie n'en découleClassification
machine, non validéePrédiction automatique; un appel candidat d’une seule source (Gemma direct ou Codex distillé), pas un consensus.
Le détail, modèle par modèle et score par score, se trouve en fin de page sous « Comment cette classification a été obtenue ».