Table 3 Opportunities for prevention and control of silicosis in India
Opportunities | Intervention | Description |
|---|---|---|
Surveillance | Silicosis surveillance | • Establish comprehensive tracking system for silicosis patients • Integrate with TB surveillance • Periodic medical examinations for silicosis and TB |
Active case finding | • Organize diagnostic camps in silica industries • Facilitate early detection of silicosis cases • Conduct surveys to actively search for silicosis cases | |
Mapping areas | • Identify and prioritize areas with silica dust industries • Focus control efforts in these areas | |
Programmatic guidelines | Diagnostic algorithm | • Develop standardized diagnostic algorithms • Ensure accurate and consistent diagnosis with training in ILO radiographs |
Management guidelines | • Establish guidelines for prevention, treatment, and symptom management • Provide treatment options | |
Rehabilitation guidelines | • Include guidelines for rehabilitation mechanisms • Address physiotherapy and change of occupation | |
Silicosis elimination program | • Establish comprehensive program covering diagnosis, treatment, prevention, awareness, and rehabilitation • Integrate Basic Occupational Health Services (BOHS) with primary health care • Ensure nationwide coverage | |
Pneumoconiosis policy | • Expand existing policy to address silicosis nationwide • Emphasize preventive measures, treatment, and support | |
Preventing silica dust exposure | Alternative uses of silica dust | • Explore alternative applications for silica dust • Reduce overall production and exposure |
Silica dust disposal | • Establish proper disposal systems for wet dust • Deep burial | |
Subsidy for silica dust disposal | • Provide subsidies for dust disposal systems • Encourage compliance | |
Exhaust system | • Develop efficient exhaust systems • Capture and remove silica dust | |
Water spraying system | • Promote use of water spraying systems • Reduce silica dust in workplaces | |
Multi-sectoral coordination | • Coordinate health, labor, and environmental departments • Tackle silicosis collectively | |
Dedicated place for all workers | • Create industrial estates near cottage industries • Facilitate easy registration and medical examinations | |
Personal protective equipment (PPE) | • Promote use of masks, goggles, and gloves | |
Dust reduction at source | • Implement control measures at the source • Follow hierarchy of control measures • Integrate AI-ML technologies for effective dust reduction | |
Alternative job | • Facilitate shift to alternative jobs • Eliminate dust exposure | |
Substitution of hazardous material | • Encourage use of less hazardous materials | |
Enclosed workspaces | • Enclose areas generating silica dust • Limit exposed workers | |
Widespread prevention activities | • Conduct extensive awareness and prevention activities • Target workers in industries | |
Effective law enforcement | Law enforcement for smaller units | • Increase personnel in the Ministry of Labour and Employment (Government of India) • Strengthen enforcement in smaller units • Enhance monitoring of compliance with safety measures • Focus on high-risk areas |
Ethical law enforcement | • Address concerns regarding intention and integrity of implementing agencies • Focus on unorganized sector | |
Qualified personnel for law enforcement | • Ensure presence of qualified medical personnel • Expertise in occupational health • Short course on Occupational Health in MBBS curriculum |