Respiratory health services reported by U.S. mining facilities in the National Occupational Health Survey of Mining (1984-1989).
This report describes the involvement of mine management personnel at U.S. mines in providing environmental and medical services related to respiratory health. The data were obtained by means of a questionnaire that was administered to mine management personnel at 491 mines and mills during May 1984 to August 1989. The data indicate that 62% of U.S. miners worked at facilities that provided at least a portion of workers with chest X-rays, and 41% worked at facilities that provided at least a portion of workers with pulmonary function tests. Eighty-five percent of miners worked at facilities in which the company required a medical examination of all new employees; the majority were required by company policy to have a medical examination before returning to work after an illness. However, only 2% of miners were required by company policy to have an exit medical examination when their employment ended. This report underscores the need for respiratory health to remain a primary concern of all persons who provide occupational health services to miners.
Linch
K D
KD
Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV 26505-2888, USA.
Groce
D W
DW
Hale
J M
JM
D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008906:Mining / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices / Q000600:supply & distribution; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012308:Risk Management / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012494:Sampling Studies; D014481:United States