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BISBEE — Working conditions at the giant copper mine and processing plants in Cananea, Sonora, are “dangerous” and the owner, Grupo Mexico, needs to take steps to correct the problems, according to a report released Monday by a team of occupational health professionals.
About 1,300 miners went on strike starting July 30. In early October, three physicians, three industrial hygienists, a pulmonary technician and a registered nurse conducted workplace health and safety assessments and lung function tests on 68 miners.
Members of the team also visited the mine and its ore processing plants. A sample of dust in the facility was analyzed.
“The conclusion on the [Occupational Health and Safety] survey team is that there are serious health and safety hazards at the Cananea mine operation that require immediate and long-term corrections in order to protect workers at the facility from both instantaneous accidents and chronic exposures generating occupational diseases,” the report says.
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Chest radiographs of active miners showed signs of silicosis, the report says. The team suggests that a full survey be conducted to determine the presence of radiologic pneumoconiosis.
According to the report, Grupo Mexico has not conducted a comprehensive medical surveillance program, has not done sufficient industrial hygiene monitoring, has not provided training to workers and has failed to install effective ventilation. Grupo Mexico has also relied upon inappropriate paper respirators to protect workers from particulates, acids and vapors.
“In 16 years of inspecting mines in the U.S., Mexico, Guatemala, Indonesia and China, I have never seen a place — operated by a transnational corporation with so many resources — that has such bad conditions,” Garrett Brown, the study’s coordinator, told The Associated Press on Monday.
The team recommends the elimination of hazards in the mine, by repairing malfunctioning equipment, installing guards on moving machine parts and energized electrical circuits and panels, and conducting thorough housekeeping in the facility. It says Grupo Mexico must initiate a comprehensive health and safety remediation plan to oversee immediate repairs and clean-up, as well as correct hazards.
Also, Grupo Mexico should initiate a comprehensive medical surveillance program on the current workers, including chest radiography, lung function tests and respiratory symptom evaluations, according to the report.
And, the Mexican government must do its part to make sure Grupo Mexico complies with the law regarding workplace safety standards.
The AP contacted Grupo Mexico by telephone seeking comment on Monday but the call was not immediately returned. In the past, the company has said it is willing to negotiate health and safety issues to end the strike.
Herald/Review reporter Jonathon Shacat can be reached at 515-4693 or by e-mail at jonathon.shacat@bisbeereview.net. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Angry wrote on Nov 14, 2007 3:17 PM: