GPA Objective 1: To devise and implement policy instruments on workers’ health. Priority 1.2
CC or NGO Name
Asociación Chilena de Seguridad
Project title
Eradication of silicosis
Keywords
Silicosis
Project leader
Email address
Dr. Gustavo Contreras
gcontreras@achs.cl
Partners (of the CC Network)
Chilean Institute of Public Health
Other partners
None
Funding
Asociación Chilena de Seguridad
Objective of the project
This project has two objectives. One regional oriented to collaborate with the Chilean National Silicosis Eradication Program. The other, international to collaborate with regional efforts to eradicate silicosis.
Project outcome(s) and deadline(s) for completion of the project
At national level starting in 2009 efforts will be made to:
To improve legal documents which define the diagnosis of silicosis and incapacity evaluation provoked by silicosis
To improve the coverage of exposed workers under a surveillance programme.
To improve the quality medical centers which diagnose and treat workers affected by silicosis
To continue delivering the training course on chest x-ray interpretation
To develop a research project on silicosis risk for construction workers
At international level starting in 2009 efforts will be made to:
To continue delivering the training course on chest x-ray interpretation
To promote the implantation of a regional exam for physicians interpreting chest x-rays
Improving legal documents will decrease the uncertainty that workers affected by silicosis face today in Chile. Improving the coverage of exposed workers under surveillance program will move our country closer to the goal of eradicating silicosis. Improving the quality medical centers that diagnose and treat workers affected by silicosis will assure a better quality of life for those affected by the disease. The research project will provide information needed to formulate surveillance and prevention programs. New training course on chest x-ray interpretation will increase the number of physicians capable of diagnosing the disease in the region. The regional exam for physicians interpreting chest x-rays will contribute to the same goal.
Dissemination
Impact (global or regional)
Regional
Progress (maximum 100 words)
No progress report received by June 2010
List of major outcomes already achieved by this project
The project is funded through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and is a component of the Work and Health in Southern Africa (WAHSA) Programme, and supported by the NIOH, South Africa.
Objective of the project
Develop education, training and technical materials for:
The reduction of silica dust exposure in key industries in the region
Improved prevention of tuberculosis in silica exposed workers
Project outcome(s) and deadline(s) for completion of the project
A training course for OHS inspectors on the measurement and control of dust by mid-2006. Presented in 3 countries by end 2006
A costed and tested set of practical solutions for dust control in the quarry industry appropriate for the region by end 2007.
Information materials for workers, managers and practitioners by end 2007
Information materials on chemoprophylaxis for silica exposed workers for practitioners by end 2007.
Silica exposure with its attendant diseases, particularly tuberculosis, is a major issue in the southern African region.
A multi-faceted approach is needed to reduce exposure and prevent disease. This project aims to improve the capacity of the health and safety inspectorates by developing and presenting a course on dust measurement and control, to develop practical dust control solutions in a key sector (the quarry industry) which will serve as a model and be widely disseminated, to improve knowledge of the key stakeholders (workers, managers and practitioners) through information materials appropriate for the region, to promote appropriate practice on tuberculosis prevention through expert group meetings and dissemination of consensus statements.
Dissemination
Worker and enterprise meetings and associations, professional associations, WHO/ILO documents; regional Departments of Labour and Health, as well as appropriate electronic dissemination.
Impact (global or regional)
Southern African region primarily but useful for developing countries in general.
Progress on Project
Programs conducted throughout the SADC region included:
(1) Workshops/courses/ seminars on Dust Control and Measurement; (2) Dust control intervention introduced at three quarries – in Zambia, Mozambique and Lesotho; (3) A regional Expert Group Meeting – “Preventing TB in silica-exposed workers” formulation of guidelines for treating silica-exposed workers; and (4) development materials for practitioners, workers and managers (WAHSA and other programmes in the SADC Region):
Resource on silicosis for health practitioners
Document from the expert group meeting – Guidelines of isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT)
Handbook for quarry managers – Control of Dust in Resource Poor Quarries in Southern Africa
No report on further progress received by June 2010
List of major outcomes already achieved by this project
Curriculum and teaching materials for course for health and safety inspectors on Dust Control and Measurement
Resource on silicosis for health practitioners - Crystalline Silica: Health Hazards and Precautions;
Guideline for isoniazid preventive therapy in workers with silicosis – Guidelines on isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT)
Handbook for quarry managers – Control of Dust in Resource Poor Quarries in Southern Africa
List of additional major outcomes expected from this project by 2012
Guideline for the surveillance of silica exposed workers in resource poor settings with high tuberculosis rates;
Dependant on copyright issues, adaptation of materials for workers, managers and health and safety representatives to support silicosis elimination in mining: (1) Manual Preventing Silicosis – a guide for H&S representatives; (2) Deskpad – A Silicosis Information Resource – aimed at managers and occupational health practitioners
2009-2012 Work Plan Number
GPA1.10v
CONTRIBUTING PROJECT Title
Work plan project number (to be added by WHO)
Establishment and evaluation of surveillance programs for silicosis
GPA Objective and Action
GPA Objective 1: To devise and implement policy instruments on workers’ health
Action 1.10
Priority Initiative
Priority 1.2: Develop and disseminate evidence-based prevention tools and raise awareness for the prevention of silica- and other dust-related diseases
Responsible CC or NGO Name
WHO Collaborating Centre for Occupational Health in Vietnam, National Institute of Occupational & Environmental Health (NIOEH)
Project leader
(contact name and email address)
Dr. Nguyen Duy Bao, Director, National Institute of Occupational & Environmental Health (NIOEH), 1B Yersin Str., Hanoi, Vietnam
baovsld@yahoo.com
Network partners (CC name, country, email)
WHO Regions involved in this CONTRIBUTING project (contact name and email)
Southeast Asia Pacific
Country ministries involved in this CONTRIBUTING project (contact name and email)
Ministry of Health in Vietnam
External partners for this CONTRIBUTING project (contact name, organization and email)
Summary of the project (max 100 words)
Surveillance program for silicosis is one activity of the national action plan on prevention of occupational diseases. Projects include interventions for control of exposures and diagnosis of diseases.
Target group and/or beneficiaries
Policy makers, occupational health and safety practitioners, enterprise managers, workers at high risk of silicosis
Events-opportunities for furthering the project
Expected results of this project by 2012 (outcomes)
Prevention model for silicosis will be developed and applied
The rate of silicosis will be reduced by 10%
Capacities of environment monitoring and silicosis diagnosis and detection will be improved for OH practitioners
