Open AccessOccupational Health in Chilean Copper Mine Workers: A Scoping Review of Literature (2008-2019)
Author(s) -
José Matamala Pizarro,
Francisco Aguayo Fuenzalida,
Paula Ascorra,
Elisa Moreno
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
salud/salud uninorte
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2011-7531
pISSN - 0120-5552
DOI - 10.14482/sun.37.3.613
Subject(s) - environmental health , silicosis , occupational safety and health , mental health , anxiety , medicine , psychiatry , pathology
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 2008-2019 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: psychologi-cal 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 qua-lity of life.