Lok Sabha Question No. 1799 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-11
Subject: Silicosis Patients
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Bhagirath Chaudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RESEARCH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1799 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2022

## SILICOSIS PATIENTS

## 1799.  SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  total  number  of  silicosis  patients,  identified  in  the  country  during  the  last  two  year, State/UT/district-wise particularly in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh;
- (b) the  number  of  such  patients  in  the  said  two  States  who  have  been  provided  medical  and financial assistance in the said period;
- (c) the number of persons died due to silicosis disease in both the States during the last two years along with the details of compensation related provisions made by the Government for such patients; and
- (d) whether the Government is taking any concrete steps to increase awareness regarding silicosis disease and provide safety measures to prevent the disease in the country, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to (c): The Factories Act, 1948 provides for safety, health and welfare to workers working in the factories  registered  under  the  said  Act.  Directorate  General  Factory  Advice  Service  and  Labour Institutes  (DGFASLI)  under  Ministry  of  Labour  &  Employment  through  correspondence  with  the Chief Inspector of Factories (CIF)/Director Industrial Safety & Health (DISH) of the State/UTs.

As per information received from Ministry of Labour & Employment, DGFASLI has intimated 240 cases in Haryana during 2019; 34 cases in Haryana and 10 cases in Gujarat during 2020. No case was reported  in  2019  and  2020  in  Rajasthan  and  Uttar  Pradesh.  As  per  Directorate  General  of  Mines Safety (DGMS), only 04 cases of Silicosis in Andhra Pradesh and 02 cases in Kerala were reported in the country during 2021.

Health  is  a  state  subject  and  compensation  for  silicosis  affected  person  is  given  under  Employee Compensation  Act,  1923  which  is  administered  by  Compensation  Commissioners  of  respective States.

(d): Indian Council of Medical Research -National Institute of Occupational Health (ICMR-NIOH) under  Department  of  Health  Research  (DHR)  has  developed  several  technologies  for  reduction  of dust levels and diagnosis of silicosis. It has also developed techniques for prevention and control of silicosis in agate workers and quartz cutting industries.

Silicosis  health-care  units  have  been  established  in  silicosis-risk  districts  by  the  States,  where  free chest X-ray and pulmonary function tests are done. Regular inspections are made to industries that use  silica,  with  active  involvement  of  nongovernmental  organizations  (NGOs)  to  ensure  proper monitoring.

IEC Booklets about silicosis by 'National Institute of Occupational Health' (NIOH), India have been prepared and are available at: http://niohenvis.nic.in/booklets/silicosis.pdf and http://niohenvis.nic.in/booklets/silicosis1.pdf

Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Condition Code 2020 (OSHWC) has made it mandatory for  all  employers  to  provide  annual  health  checks  free  of  cost  as  prescribed  by  the  appropriate Government.

Further,  DGFASLI  is  conducting  training  programmes,  workshops,  seminars,  conferences  and appreciation programmes for creating awareness for the prevention and safeguard against Silicosis. The Chief Inspectors of Factories / Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health, (CIF/DISH) are also conducting  awareness  programmes  on  providing  safeguards  against  Silicosis.  Following  measure have been taken to protect the mine workers:

- i. Wet drilling
- ii. Periodic monitoring of dust levels at workplace.

iii. Use of Dust mask and Dust respirator as Personal Protective Equipments.

- iv. Initial Medical Examination before employment and periodical Medical Examinations of persons employed in mines at an interval of 5 years.
- v. Occupational Health Surveys
- vi. Awareness campaigns.

vii. Personal Dust Exposure profile using Personal Dust Samplers.