HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELLBEING OF THE WORKERS IN THESTONE QUARRYING AND CRUSHING INDUSTRY

Abstract

Introduction: The quarryis an open excavation or a type of open pit mine, from which the stone is obtained by digging,
blasting or cutting. The Indian quarries cater to the needs of railways, road construction and maintenance, housing and
infrastructure building. The objectives of this were to assess the social wellbeing among quarry workers, to study the health
issues peculiar to specific vulnerable population groups in the quarry, specifically under five children of quarry workers,
women and the elderly and to enumerate if any health problems among workers, with specific reference to injuries and
other work related morbidities.
Methodology: This study was a cross sectional study done over a period of one year among people working in three
quarries, situated in the peri-urban area of Bangalore. Predesigned and pretested tools were used to collect the data from
various vulnerable groups working in quarries.
Results and discussion: Social wellbeing, most of the workers were migrants from neighbouring states were dissatisfied
with their job and isolated working conditions. Nutritional status of under five children, 95% of the children were
undernourished. Status of women employees, the common health problems were musculoskeletal pain, menstrual disorders
and substance abuses in the form of alcohol. Among the elderly, majority were employed, cataract and vision were the most
common problems. Most common injuries were cuts and bruises on the lower limbs. The workers in quarry had lowered
lung function test as measured by the mean PEFR when compared to the standard mean PEFR among Indians.