Safe Work and Personal Protective Equipment in an Economic Context

The ILO's global strategy defines the role of international labor standards as a primary foundation for advancing occupational safety and calls for comprehensive actions [1]. The program aims to provide scientific justification for state policies aimed at strengthening the role of insurance mechanisms in preventing workplace accidents and occupational diseases. The mechanism (program) of insurance against workplace accidents and occupational diseases is the most common and strategically significant type of social security in many countries. Its constituent elements include medical services, professional rehabilitation, and benefits for injured workers or family members of the deceased (in the event of the breadwinner's loss). Recent trends in the development of insurance programs highlight the relevance of preventive measures to incentivize the improvement of working conditions and occupational safety. This includes active support and funding for informational-educational and preventive initiatives.

The results of scientific research serve as the basis for the implementation in Kazakhstan of economic stimulus tools aimed at improving working conditions and occupational safety through the reform of the Mandatory Occupational Accident Insurance System. Specifically, the application of a different mechanism to determine the size of the insurance tariff based on the class of professional risk, determined by the type of economic activity, taking into account a new integrated differentiated indicator - professional risk at each workplace.

Methods of economic incentives for employers to improve working conditions have a significant positive impact on labor productivity, labor competitiveness, quality index, and production rates. Therefore, we have studied production areas and workplaces in metallurgical enterprises, particularly ferroalloy plants, which fall into the category of the most hazardous in terms of ensuring safe working conditions.

According to the initial joint assessment of the burden of diseases and injuries related to occupational activities, compiled by the World Health Organization and the International Labour Organization, in 2023, a total of approximately 2.3 million deaths and 90 million disability-adjusted life years worldwide were associated with 41 pairs of occupational risk factors and health outcomes [2]. Globally, approximately 340 million workplace accidents and 160 million victims of occupational diseases are registered annually. The dynamics in the Republic of Kazakhstan illustrate an increase in the number of workplace accidents and a deterioration in the health of the working population [3].

Modern ferroalloy production is closely monitored by healthcare specialists due to the impossibility of eliminating the adverse impact of production factors on the workers' bodies. A comprehensive assessment of the occupational risk to the health of workers in ferroalloy production is crucial, including the identification of occupational risk groups and a predictive assessment of the development of occupational and work-related diseases.

The production of ferroalloys is classified as a harmful and hazardous industry. In ferroalloy production facilities, working conditions, the pronounced industry specificity, the complexity and diversity of technological processes, and the peculiarities of equipment operation are associated with a certain level of danger for the workers. Employees performing technological operations and executing labor functions may be simultaneously exposed to various types of hazards, occupational injuries, and work-related diseases.

For example, Dendup et al. [4], an analysis of accidents in ferroalloy production is presented. The authors identified characteristics of workplace injuries, the accident frequency rate, the severity level of accidents, and the main causes in six ferroalloy sectors in Bhutan's industrial landscape. This study demonstrated that the accident frequency rate alone cannot be used as the sole indicator for predicting the occurrence of hazardous factors in the workplace. The primary causes of accidents in ferroalloy production were identified, such as the impact of moving, flying, rotating objects and parts (44.2%), falls from height (20.9%), and exposure to extreme temperatures (26.7%).

The characteristics of technological processes in metallurgy, including those in ferroalloy production, do not allow for the complete elimination of the impact of harmful industrial factors on the workers' health and well-being.

The creation of unfavorable factors in the work environment was attributed to the technological process, equipment operation, and the effectiveness level of collective protection systems.

In the technology of ferroalloy production, high concentrations of dust and harmful gases are emitted at various stages of the technological process. During the metal smelting process, dangerous and intense emissions are formed. The chemical composition of the dust and emitted gases, as well as the release of pollutants, varies and depends on the composition of the metal charge, its degree of contamination, furnace lining condition, smelting technology, and the choice of energy carriers.

The dust factor in modern metallurgical enterprises, due to the specifics of the ferroalloy production technological process, is one of the leading factors.

One of the harmful occupational factors is dust, which leads to occupational diseases (silicosis, dust bronchitis) [5, 6].

Dust in the workplaces of ferroalloy production mainly contains manganese, silicon dioxide, and other accompanying elements.

Experts believe that the presence of dust in the air with particles smaller than 10 micrometers increases the risk of occupational diseases, such as pneumoconiosis (silicosis) and bronchitis, due to the low settling rate of dust and its prolonged presence in the work zone air. Fine-dispersed dust and dust particles smaller than 10 micrometers pose additional challenges for dust capture. Particular danger is posed by respirable particles (up to 5 micrometers in diameter) and subbronchial particles (with diameters ranging from 5 to 10 micrometers) [7].

Myklebust et al. [8] have determined that in metallurgical plants producing silicon and silicomanganese alloys, the level of dust can be substantial. Dust is formed both mechanically, through the generation of fine particles when handling raw materials, and thermally, through the reduction and oxidation of raw materials and products. Thermally generated SiMn vapors, which form during the oxidation of liquid (Si) and vaporizing (Mn) metals, consist mainly of Si, Mn, and O, forming various complex oxides. Secondary elements include Mg, Ca, Al, and K, while trace elements include Na, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Cl.

Langаrd [9], respiratory symptoms, lung function, and the prevalence of generalized obstructive lung diseases among workers engaged in the production of ferrochrome and ferrosilicon were investigated. The author identified that the studied diseases are associated with a high level of general dust, particularly due to the exposure to dust containing amorphous silica.

Merget et al. [10] have identified health hazards associated with the inhalation of amorphous silica. Occupational exposure to crystalline silica dust is linked to an increased risk of pulmonary diseases, such as silicosis, tuberculosis, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer.

Similarly, other authors have identified occupational diseases resulting from the exposure to amorphous silica in the ferroalloy industry [11].

Kjuus et al. [12] studied overall mortality and cancer incidence among workers from six of the oldest ferrosilicon and ferromanganese plants in Norway. The study included 6,494 men who had worked for more than 18 months until 1970, and they were followed from 1953 to 1982. An elevated incidence of lung cancer (SIR=1.75) and prostate cancer (SIR=1.56) was detected among workers from one ferrosilicon plant, and colorectal cancer (SIR=1.90) was observed at another ferrosilicon plant.

In continuation of the aforementioned analysis, by Hobbesland et al. [13], mortality from non-malignant respiratory diseases among male workers in Norwegian ferroalloy plants was studied. Their statistics included 14,730 individuals, first employed between 1933 and 1990, and who worked for at least 6 months at one of the 12 plants. The duration of work in specific workshops and exposure to amorphous silica in ferrosilicon/silicon-metal production enterprises (FeSi/Si-met), assessed through a workplace matrix, were the main exposure variables. Deaths were observed during 1962-1990. According to the authors, the overall mortality from non-malignant respiratory diseases did not increase, but mortality from bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma combined was significantly higher among men who worked for at least 3 years (16 deaths). Poisson regression analysis of mortality indicated a significant increase of 0.06 per unit of amorphous silica exposure 10-20 years after exposure. The increased mortality of workers from bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma is linked to prior exposure to amorphous silica. The authors also established a link between worker mortality from pneumonia and manganese exposure.

The majority of studies focusing on assessing the impact of occupational factors on the health of workers in ferroalloy production not only contain information about levels and duration of exposure [14] but also provide an assessment of the risk of developing cancer among workers [15], an evaluation of mortality rates and structure [16], an assessment of the prevalence and severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [17], and changes in lung function [18].

Indeed, a study on the impact of ultrafine dust particles on workers in ferroalloy production revealed that the elemental composition and particle structure at different stages of production are not uniform. Measurements of particle size distribution provide important information about the impact of ultrafine particles, which may not be evident in measurements of mass concentrations [19].

Bala and Tabaku [17] concluded that the prevalence of lung disease and its symptoms are high among workers, and there is a clearly established correlation between air pollution in the workplace and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The conclusion about a significant correlation between lung function and the impact of dust on them was drawn by researchers who studied the relationship between annual changes in lung function and the impact of occupational dust on workers at ferroalloy plants. This was based on the results of periodic medical examinations, which included annual spirometry and a respiratory questionnaire [20].

Scientific research has shown that the combination of negative factors contributes to the increase in occupational diseases among employees of enterprises. In a subsequent study, the hygienic characteristics of working conditions and their impact on the health of workers employed in ferroalloy production were examined. The authors found that the particle size distribution and concentration of dust directly influence the development of respiratory organ pathology [21].

Therefore, the assessment of the impact on health of general industrial dust present in the workplace air has been and remains a relevant issue. In connection with this, the aim of the research was to study working conditions, develop recommendations for their improvement through the selection of new personal protective equipment, and consider insurance based on a new integrated differentiated indicator - the professional risk at each workplace.

In order to reduce the risk of health disorders caused by exposure to industrial dust, workers in ferroalloy production should be provided with properly selected respiratory protection equipment.

Table 4 provides a comparative analysis of personal protective equipment provision using the example of a «Crusher Operator and Charge Mixer» positions.

Table 4 presents the standard regulatory list of personal protective equipment (PPE) for this profession according to the cross-industry typical norms [27], as well as according to the new approach in accordance with the PPE nomenclature developed by the Republican Scientific Research Institute for Occupational Safety of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan [28].

The analysis of working conditions at the enterprise revealed that:

- There is a significant deviation from the established insurance tariff based on the Occupational Risk Level (ORL) determined by the State Classification of Economic Activities (SCEA), with the actual ORL for professional categories and job positions.

- There are differences in actual working conditions and, consequently, the ORL at enterprises within the same industry, i.e., with identical ORL for specific job positions/professions.

Thus, the obtained primary data confirms the scientific hypothesis about the necessity of introducing a new classification of occupational risks to justify the calculations of insurance tariffs in the occupational safety and health system.

The degree of occupational risk at enterprises within the same industry, for similar professions, exhibits differences that justify the introduction of a new classification of occupational risk. The obtained results provide grounds to state:

- The current practice of determining insurance tariff based on the State Classification of Economic Activities (SCEA) does not reflect the actual financial responsibility of the employer based on the real level of individual production risk of a specific production facility, including the connection with occupational risk for each specific profession or working conditions of insured employees.

- There is a high dependence on the results of the Occupational Risk Assessment (ORA) on subjective expert judgment.

- There is a lack of a mechanism for quality control of the occupational risk assessment.