Living in Dusty Environmental World in China

Workplaces in China have few controls yet they display updated industrial operations showing the hierarchy of controls. In many industries, workers are exposed to very dusty operations from coal mining to construction. This presentation aims to highlight those operations and work tasks where improvements can be made. There are consultants and organizations that could provide support to reduce the risk of exposure and prevent occupational illness and disease.

1. Dusty World of Chinese Stone Workers Copyright @ 2023 WHWB All rights reserved.

2. Inhaling crystalline silica dust causes toxic effects on the respiratory system. The occurrence of respiratory problems are common among manual stone-quarrying workers is very high. Statues are made from white or black marble, and granite.

3. Pneumoconiosis disease of the lungs comes from the inhalation of microscopic dust particles and is generally characterized by those dust particles arising from stone cutting and coal mining industries. In Hui’an, cases of pneumoconiosis are very high.

4. Worker standing on a makeshift bamboo scaffold without any safe guards or wood planks to make a giant Buddha statue. Worker does not have any fall protection.

5. Crystalline silica dust comes from the cutting, grinding and polishing of the statue. Mechanical exhaust ventilation is not used to remove the airborne dust.

6. Chongwu stone carving factory, a worker wearing masks while walking in front of a giant reclining Buddha statue.

7. Piles of stone are everywhere. Here stones of all kinds arrive at the factory: marble, granite, sandstone, and jade.

8. Stone mason chisels the stone outside using pneumatic tools with an old half-face respirator, safety goggles and work clothes covered in silica dust.

9. Worker shapes the statue while wearing a dust mask rather than a respirator and safety glasses. Outside door is open to provide some general dilution ventilation.

10. Supervisor examines the work done on the statutes. Workers use wooden ladders and planks to their work. Silica dust is on the floor. Bay door is open for ventilation.

11. Stone workers taking their rest and lunch break outside the factory. These workers are covered in dust on their street clothes.

12. A stone worker diagnosed with pneumoconiosis which is silicosis. He breaths using an oxygen supply due to previous occupational exposure to crystalline silica dust.

13. Medical assistance is needed to treat former stone mason with a diagnosed case of pneumoconiosis which is silicosis based his occupation and exposure to dust levels.

14. Workers exposed to dust from pneumatically cleaning statues. Workers wear a dust mask incorrectly and not selected for silica. Dust on the floor and fan not working.

15. Workers exposed to airborne silica dust from pneumatically cleaning statues. They wear cloths on their face rather than a respirator. No mechanical exhaust ventilation.

16. Pneumatic hand grinder used to cut the stone. No local exhaust ventilation to collect the silica dust. Worker wears cloth glove and open sandals rather than safety shoes.