A "terra prometida": práticas de gestão, trabalho na mineração e seus impactos nas relações familiares / The "promised land": management practices, mining work and its impacts on family relations

Este artigo visa a apresentar uma pesquisa-intervenção voltada para a compreensão da relação entre família e trabalho, em uma unidade mineradora situada no Norte do Brasil. Adotam-se aqui olhares críticos da psicologia sobre o trabalho. Embora não estivessem previstos originalmente, os dados aqui relatados emergiram do campo, derivados do projeto de pesquisa-intervenção contratado pela empresa, que buscava investigar as variáveis psicossociais que diretamente afetam o trabalho de Operadores de retroescavadeira. A necessidade de buscar maior aproximação dos sujeitos de pesquisa motivou a realização de uma intervenção junto às suas famílias. Essa intervenção foi feita a partir de técnicas grupais, como rodas de conversa e visitas domiciliares, seguida pela análise das percepções dos familiares sobre o trabalho dos Operadores e sobre a relação desses com a empresa. Os resultados destacam a importância do conceito de território para compreender os processos de subjetivação das famílias; os vínculos sociais como fator psicossocial protetivo; a imbricada articulação entre o processo de gestão do trabalho e a política de benefícios sociais. Concluímos destacando a importância dos vínculos familiares para a compreensão real da atividade dos Operadores, e reafirmando a noção de centralidade do trabalho, na conformação do território.

This article aims to present an intervention research focused on understanding the relationship between family and work in a mining unit located in Northern Brazil. Psychology's critical views on work are adopted here. Although not originally foreseen, the data reported here emerged from the field, derived from the intervention research project contracted by the company, which sought to investigate the psychosocial variables that directly affect the work of backhoe operators. The need to get closer to the research subjects motivated the realization of an intervention with their families. This intervention was carried out using group techniques, such as conversation circles and home visits, followed by an analysis of family members' perceptions about the operators' work and their relationship with the company. The results highlight the importance of the concept of territory to understand the subjectivation processes of families; social bonds as a protective psychosocial factor; the imbricated articulation between the work management process and the social benefits policy. We conclude by highlighting the importance of family ties for the real understanding of the operators' activity, and reaffirming the notion of the centrality of work in the shaping of the territory.

Long-term posttraumatic stress disorder in mine workers after a coalmining disaster

Abstract Background A coalmine disaster has occurred in Turkey on 13 May 2014, which caused the death of 301 miners. Objective This study aimed to determine the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and the risk factors for PTSD among mine workers, 2 years after the coalmining disaster. Methods This was a cross-sectional survey conducted between June 2016 and July 2016 among mine workers who were the employees of either the mine where the accident occurred or three other mines in the same area. Sociodemographic data form and PTSD Symptom-Scale Self-Report (PSS-SR) were used to collect data. Results 672 mine workers participated in the study. At the time of the accident, 23.7% (n = 159) of them were in the mine where the accident occurred. The mean score on total PSS-SR was 4.27 (SD: ±4.49). Eighteen (2.7%) participants screened positive for PTSD. Logistic regression analysis revealed the significant risk factors for PTSD are: being single/divorced/widowed, having a chronic disease, having a family history of psychiatric illness and previously experiencing traumatic events more than one. Discussion Coalmining workers have considerably high prevalence rate of PTSD symptoms after a coalmining disaster. Assessing PTSD and associated risks is important for preventive mental health services.

Cultura alimentaria de un grupo de mineros operarios de maquinaria pesada: una aproximación etnográfica / Food culture of a group of mining workers of heavy machinery: an ethnographic approach

OBJETIVO: Describir e interpretar la cultura alimentaria de un grupo de trabajadores mineros, así como sus necesidades, intereses y percepciones respecto de su salud. METODOLOGÍA: Diseño descriptivo transversal de aproximación etnográfica. Los datos se recogieron con entrevistas en profundidad y observaciones de campo. Se realizó un análisis temático con codificación deductiva y se generaron categorías que fueron agrupadas en tres áreas temáticas: identidad y trabajo del minero, cultura alimentaria y percepciones de salud. RESULTADOS: Las características del trabajo e identidad del minero están asociadas a la capacidad de trabajar en condiciones de riesgo y cumplir un rol de proveedor familiar. La salud se asocia a la ausencia de dolencias, al adecuado desempeño laboral y bienestar general. La alimentación desempeña diversas funciones, como manejo de estrés, recreación y prevención de fatiga, asociada al imaginario familiar y al estatus social, entre otros. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados permiten distinguir una cultura alimentaria en el grupo de mineros que interactúa con su identidad de trabajador, lo que se plasma en las percepciones y acciones de salud dentro y fuera de la faena. Incorporar las funciones y significados atribuidos a la alimentación en la planificación de programas de prevención de fatiga y salud cardiovascular, así como la influencia del entorno alimentario, podría potenciar los resultados e impacto en la salud de los trabajadores.

OBJECTIVE. Describe and interpret the food culture of a group of mining workers, as well as their needs, interests and perceptions regarding their health. METHODOLOGY. Descriptive transversal design of ethnographic approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and field observations. A thematic analysis was carried out with deductive codification and categories were generated that were grouped in three thematic areas: identity and work of the miner, food culture and perceptions of health. RESULTS. The characteristics of the work and identity of the miner are associated with the ability to work in risky conditions and fulfill a role as a family supplier. Health is associated with absence of physical pain, adequate work performance and general well-being. Food plays a variety of functions, such as stress management, recreation and fatigue prevention, associated with family imagery and social status, among others. CONCLUSIONS. The results allow distinguishing a food culture in the group of miners that interacts with their worker identity, which is reflected in the perceptions and health actions inside and outside the work. Incorporating the functions and meanings attributed to diet in the planning of programs for the prevention of fatigue and cardiovascular health, as well as the influence of the food environment, could enhance the results and impact on the health of the workers.