A Brief Report on Workshop on Occupational and Environmental Health Hazards of Stone Crushers in Odisha (World Environment Day) Date- June 5th, 2013 venue- Hotel Empire, Bhubaneswar Background The prevalence of occupational Health Hazards including silicosis in Odisha needs to be documented. Data on silicosis exposure assessment are still lacking not only in Odisha but also in India. The results from perhaps the first airborne silica sampling conducted by Jeevan Rekha Parishad (JRP) with the technical assistance of OK International, USA has revealed that the average exposure levels are 5 times more than the acceptable limit. It is assumed that severities of employee’s current exposures to quartz are 0.5 – 8.8 times duration of exposure ranged from 4 months to 25 years. Stone crushing is an industry in Odisha which usually employ a group of 20-25 workers mostly the tribal people at a single site working in close proximity. These are usually migrant workers often without health insurance, employment records or social security benefits. JRP conducted an air monitoring study, which is the first reported attempt to determine the effect of these exposures on their respiratory health, and to stone carving company in Odisha. The study has recommended that immediate action should be undertaken to protect workers and reduce environmental and occupational health hazards from silicosis. The problem of silicosis was discussed with Odisha Pollution Control Board, and Ministry of Environment & Forest, Government of Odisha and two seminars were organized to discuss on the issue and develop a joint programme to reduce occupational and environmental health hazards. It was recommended by the Policy makers, and programmers that there should be dust containment- cum – suppression system in each crusher owners also all the stone crusher owners agreed to install the dust suppression measures out of their own resources. The efforts needs to be continued with a joint efforts. Workshop for Stone Crushers, Media , NGOs and Government Officials. With the above background ,JRP with the support of DWOI, and New Ways to Work, USA is coordinating a Project on “Demonstration of Dust Suppression Control Measures in Stone Crusher Unit(s) in, Odisha and is creating awareness among the stone crushers owners by conducting different workshops, seminars etc. The above workshop was organized on occasion of World Environment Day , June 5th , 2013 at hotel Empire, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Participated by 43 stone crusher Owners, Representatives of 21 Media and Civil Society organizations and representatives from Ministry of Environment and Forest, Odisha Pollution Control Board etc, the programme was inaugurated by Sri Surya Narayan Patra, Honble Minister of Revenues and Disaster Management and Climate Change (former Minister of Energy, Environment and Forest). The workshop sensitised owners and managers of Crushers on health and environmental impact on airborne silica emission and dust suppression control technology and its effectiveness in reducing reparable silica. Honble Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management, Shri Surya Narayan Patra while addressing the participants highlighted the citing criteria, adoption of dust suppressing technology, creating green belt and boundary wall etc . The representatives from SPCB, CEE, Environment and Forest dep’t, Govt of Odisha and Govt of India, Media and civil Society organizations spoke on the occasion and gave power point presentation on different issues relating to stone crushers. .. Dr. Bipin Pattanik, President Stone Crushers Federation while speaking on the occasion assured to adopt dust suppression technology in all stone crushers. Dr. Bimalendu Mohanty, Chief Advisor, JRP and Former Vice Chancellor Utkal University presided over the programme and Ms. Madhusmita Mishra, Secretary, JRP welcomed the participants. Dr. R.N Roth, Former Regional Director Health, Dr. S. Karketa, Additional Director, Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt. of India, , Mr. B.P. Tripathy CEE spoke on the occasion. Ms Nibedita Nayak, Chairperson state Social Welfare Board also spoke on the occasion as Guest of Honour. The programme ended with the recommendation that initially JRP with the assistance of Stone Crusher Federation will demonstrate dust suppression technology (DST) and will provide technical support to Stone Crusher Owners for implementing the technology for reduction of occupational health Hazards. JRP will also conduct regular health check up camps for which the Public Health Deptt will provide doctors and medicines. Dr B. Panda , Director Public Health, Govt of Odisha while speaking on the occasion assured to insure all the workers of stone crushers under Health Insurance scheme of Government. The Guide book on Dust Supression Techonogy published in Oriya Language with the support of OKI, USA and the Stone Crusher Industrial Safety and Health Manual ( Oriya) published jointly by JRP, OKI, IRDC, Canada were distributed among the participants which was highly appreciated by Government officials, media and the Minister.A magazine titled Prakruti Vikash, ( Nature Devt) featuring issues on occupational health was also released and distributed on the occasion, 92.7 BIG. FM as Radio Partner of the programmes broadcasted news throughout the day by interviewing Dr M.R.Mishra, director, JRP and Honble Minister and other guests.. A technical session presided by Ms Nibedita Nayak, Chairperson, Odisha State Social Welfare Board, Govt of Odisha was organized where Mr B.P.Tripathy, In Charge, centre for Environment Education, Dr S. Kerketta, Additional director, Ministry of Environment and Forest , Govt of India, Mr debasish Pattnaik, Advocate, Orissa High Court spoke on different issues relating to Occupational Health Hazards in stone Crushers. All the presentations will be included in the final report. There was huge media coverage. About 9 TV chanel, 21 print Media representatives participated and published the news. The workshop was highly coverd in electronics media . A video has been prepared which will be sent.. Some Press clippings are enclosed.. The programme ended with open discussion with stone crusher owners. and media representatives. The detail report will be sent soon.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 08:51:29 +0000
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