ABSTRACT
Asbestos is a human carcinogen, and prohibited to use in 55 countries. Thermal power plants, construction industries, locomotive repair shops and analytical laboratories in Mongolia use asbestos as thermal insulation material. This study investigated exposure to airborne asbestos in workplaces. Total of 85 air sampleswere collected from thermal power plants (n=4), locomotive repairshop (n=1), construction renovation workplace (n=1), construction material shop (n=1) and analytical laboratory (n=1).The air samples were collected and analyzed by NIOSH 7400 and 7402 standard analytical methods. The average of airborne asbestos concentration (0.72f/cm3) in the workplaces was 7.2 times higher than the occupational exposure limit (0.1f/cm3). Exposure to airborne asbestos was exceeded in insulation workplaces of the thermal power plants and locomotive repairshop.Airborne asbestos was detected from construction renovation worksite, construction material shop and analytical laboratory, but did not exceeded the occupational exposure level.
ABSTRACT
IntroductionThe workplace is an important site which can influence physical, mental, economic and social aspects of people’s wellbeing. In the globalized market a vital condition for success is healthy, professional and motivated human resources. With the increasing awareness of this factor in the public and private enterprises, the concept of health promoting workplace is gaining a growing significance.GoalTo study health promoting activities in the workplace and assess knowledge and attitude of employers on health promotion.Materials and MethodsA cross-sectional study design was used and the data was collected using quantitative and qualitative methods. A thermal power plant, beverage manufacture, construction company and a mining company were selected for the study.ResultsIn terms of measurements of parameters of the working conditions, the average temperature was higher than required in the occupational hygiene standard (26.60C) and the air humidity was within standard level (30-70%). The workers of the thermal power plant, construction company and mining company are exposed to hand-arm and whole-body vibrations. The highest noise level was 96 dB(A) in the mechanical and repair shops of the mining company which exceeds the occupational hygiene standard. All companies had staff members who responsible for occupational safety, but only 3 had health care service providers for workers. Each company has its own policies to control and prevent workplace hazards and to promote workers health, but these activities were not implemented adequately. Conclusion:Employers, managers and employees have reasonable understanding of workplace health promotion. However, systematic training and counseling are required to improve the activities aimed at protection and promotion of the health of the employees. There is an acute need for systematic and comprehensive implementation of healthy workplace programs. Among others, improvement of the physical environment and ergonomics of every workstation, and availability of health services are also necessary. Environment for promotion and sustenance of healthy behavior in the employees need to be developed for the employees.