title: [The work process and occupational health risks in a cement factory].
abstract: The authors evaluate the work process and its effect on workers' health in a cement factory in the State of Rio de Janeiro. The interactive methodology consisted of different approaches to assessing the workplace through the incorporation of various institutions working in the field of Workers' Health, professionals from different backgrounds, and the trade union, valorizing the workers' experience and actively contributing to the surveillance process under the Unified National Health System (SUS). Levels of particulate matter and noise were measured. The mean level of free crystalline silica in the particulate matter was 2%, resulting in a tolerance limit as specified under Brazilian legislation (NR-15), or 2.0mg/m3. The concentration of particles both in samples collected in the workers' respiratory zone and in area samples varied from 3.59 to 52.44mg/m3. Noise varied from 83dB to 110dB. The majority of the values were higher than the maximum limits set by Brazilian legislation. These results, together with the opinions expressed by the workers themselves, showed an unhealthy workplace and work process, placing the workers' health at risk.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Saúde do Trabalhador, Secretaria de Estado de Saúde, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 20031-142, Brasil.
authors.forename: Fátima Sueli Neto
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Marcelo Moreno dos
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.forename: Célia Regina Sousa da
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Marco Antônio Carneiro
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.forename: Ana Elisa Xavier de Oliveira e
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: Josino Costa
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: Gisele Sayuri
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Kuryiama
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D003252:Construction Materials; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D019652:Extraction and Processing Industry; D006801:Humans; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D009623:Noise, Occupational; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D016272:Occupational Health; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis*; D017132:Workplace
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D012822:Silicon Dioxide