RESUMO
ABSTRACT Introduction: The present article presents the results of a literature review on the health of mine workers on the Chilean copper market. Objective: To depict the evidence produced regarding the diseases that affect the health of Chilean mine workers. Method: A scoping review, indexed on scientific journals and other sources, for the 20082019 period, centered on the analysis of 20 documents that reported empirical results. Results: The main physical conditions of copper mine workers were found to be problems related to high-altitude work, the inhalation of silica dust, and noise exposure; eating and musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders, accidents, and low back pain. Regarding mental health conditions, the following were highlighted: psychological demands, the impact on the sleep quality due to shift work, fatigue, anxiety, depression, violence on subcontractors, and worsening of life standards after relocation, due to silicosis. Discussion: Working in copper mine impacts the global health of workers, increasing the exposure to health conditions that increases the sense of suffering and worsens their quality of life.
RESUMEN Introducción: El presente artículo expone los resultados de una revisión de literatura sobre la salud en trabajadores de la minería del cobre en Chile. Objetivo: Describir las evidencias producidas sobre las afecciones a la salud vinculadas al trabajo en la minería del cobre chileno. Método: Scoping review de literatura indizada en revistas científicas y otras fuentes entre los años 2008 y 2019, centrada en el análisis de 20 documentos que reportaron resultados empíricos. Resultados: Se halló que las principales evidencias en materia de afecciones en la salud física de los trabajadores de la minería del cobre fueron: problemas relacionados con el trabajo a gran altura, la aspiración de polvo de sílice y la exposición al ruido; las alteraciones en la alimentación, los trastornos musculoesqueléticos, problemas cardiovasculares y respiratorios, los accidentes, alteraciones de alimentación y dolores lumbares. En cuanto a los hallazgos de afecciones en la salud mental destacaron: alta demanda psicológica, incidencia de los turnos de trabajo en calidad de sueño, fatiga, ansiedad, depresión y violencia en subcontratados, empeoramiento de la calidad de vida tras la reubicación por silicosis. Discusión: El trabajo en la minería del cobre impacta la salud global de los trabajadores, aumentando la exposición a afecciones que aumentan su sensación de sufrimiento y empeoran su calidad de vida.
RESUMO
The mining environment is hazardous for worker's health. It can affect the mental health, triggering symptoms and diseases, such as anxiety, job stress, depression, sleep disorders, mental fatigue and other. The aim of this study was to describe and analyze the scientific literature about the mental health in mine workers and to summarize the findings. The method used was scoping review. The principal outcomes were the following: evidence in the last 12 years in the topic was focused in four themes 1) Psychological problems & personal factors (38.2%); 2) Psychosocial problems & health related factor (23.6%); 3) Well-being (21.1%) and 4) Physical problems & organization factors (17.1%). Several affections, symptoms, characteristics or disorders were inquired about mine worker's mental health, such as job strain, unsafety experiences, poor quality of sleep, non-subjective well-being, job unsatisfaction, social-relations conflict, risk of accidents and injuries, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), substance abuse, dangerous working conditions and demanding job organization, and so on. For those factors, Mining could expose to serious mental health problems to a part of their workers. It's necessary to deepen the elaboration of international policies and carry out more scientific research and suggestions to make programs on the topic.
