Health, safety training and medical camp for mine workers held

HARIPUR: The district administration organised Health & Safety Training and Medical Camp across three tehsils of the district to create awareness among mine workers about occupational health risks.

The mine workers from the remote but mineral- rich areas of Haripur, Khanpur, and Ghazi and stone crushing units attended the training sessions and medical camps, said an official communique issued from the office of deputy commissioner.

These areas, according to district administration, were having no proper medical facilities due to which many of the workers were suffering from chronic illnesses such as silicosis, tuberculosis, and other respiratory diseases after prolonged exposure to dust and toxic fumes. “Eye-related issues, such as dryness and blurred vision, are also common due to the lack of protective eyewear,” said an official of the district administration.

In the occupational safety training, over 400 mine workers and stone crushing units from three tehsil learned about safety measures while working in mines and crushers. While 560 workers were those who received medical examinations and 325 workers were provided with free of cost medicines and some were those who needed tertiary care and were referred to District Headquarters Hospital.

The initiative was carried out by the organizers in collaboration with Rescue 1122, District Health Office, Mines and Minerals Department and a non- profit organization, said the communique.