Abstract

Worldwide, small-scale mining (SSM) provides employment to about 13 million people and affects the livelihood of 80–100 million. This study investigated the ergonomic and safety hazards of 93 small scale miners in one of the largest small scale mining area in the Philippines which is the area of Itogon, Benguet. The methods consisted of survey questionnaires, health physical examination guide, and work process observation tool. The results showed that the small-scale miners worked for an average of 10.7 years, and a maximum work year of 40. The hazards identified were noise exposure from the dynamite blast, temperature extremes, and dust from dynamite blasting. The miners experienced prolonged crouching and bending, prolonged handling of tools, and carrying heavy sacks filled with mineral ores. In the cyanide leaching which uses massive amounts of cyanide, hazards were heat, dust, and chemicals such as cyanide fumes. In the smelting process, hazards were borax and nitric acid fumes, and smoke from burning ore and coal, and burn injuries. A third (31.2%) of miners have experienced accidents. Of this, the most common injury was laceration at 47.8%, followed by methane inhalation, fracture of hand digits, and contusion at 17.4%. The most prevalent health symptom reported by the miners was muscle pain which points to exposure to ergonomic hazards and risks. It is suggested that intervention programs for ergonomics and safety measures be implemented by the local government.