Health and Safety
(In cooperation with the London
School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)
MMSD investigated the critical issues surrounding mining and the health
and safety of workers and communities, and practical steps that can be
taken forward to improve current practice. The main themes explored included
the legal environment, the relationships between governments and companies
operating in areas affected by mining; and the role of international organisations
and NGOs in ensuring good practices in a safe work environment.
MMSD and the Environmental Epidemiology Unit (EEU), Department of Public
Health and Policy (PHP), of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical
Medicine (LSHTM) hosted a workshop on 10 September 2001 to explore these
themes. The LHSTM specialises in identifying and assessing the relationships
between environmental health risks and health policies, with a particular
focus on developing countries.
The specific objectives of the workshop were to (a) identify the main
health and safety issues faced by mine workers and communities during
mining operations, and the related social impacts, (b) discuss the drivers
and constraints towards reducing risks and developing health and social
measures, and (c) discuss potential actions for improving health and safety
practices and culture at all levels (local, national and international)
for each actor involved (unions, companies, governments, international
organisations and NGOs/CBOs ) and to do so on a consensual basis.
The workshop also sought to shed light on the risks faced
by workers and the necessary changes in health and safety measures/policies
that should be undertaken. It is hoped that the findings will give guidance
towards a more coordinated international policy.
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