Studies on blood alcohol in the workers of a Zambian copper mine.
The results of alcohol studies in workers of a Zambian copper mine showed that 30% of accident cases had measurable blood alcohol levels. A selected group of employees subject to random breath tests before starting work showed that one third had measurable blood alcohol and that this was over 17.6 mmol/l. in 9% of cases. These two groups were not comparable. The results were considered significant enough to justify further study. Two thirds of a group of workers referred to hospital for alcohol tests on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol had alcohol levels exceeding 35.2 mmol/l. It is concluded that there is a range of significant blood alcohol levels where employees are at increased risk of accidents but have a limited chance of detection by their supervisor and that this circumstance justifies the use of random testing particularly of employees responsible for the safety of others.
Buchanan
D J
DJ
Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines, Kitwe.
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000502:physiology*; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000097:blood; D001944:Breath Tests; D003300:Copper; D000431:Ethanol / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D008906:Mining; D012307:Risk Factors; D015024:Zambia
D000431:Ethanol; D003300:Copper