SOM and Calendar updates

Launch of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Project

NEBOSH has invested £80,000 in a project to tackle one of the world’s most dangerous occupations: artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). The project – coordinated by the International Occupational Medicine Society Collaborative (IOMSC) and supported by The Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) – aims to improve the health, safety, livelihoods and wellbeing of people who work and live in these mining communities. The World Bank estimates that 100 million people work in the sector worldwide, using basic tools to extract minerals and metals, often without proper equipment or safety regulations. Further, because there is little separation between living and working areas, miners and their families are exposed to pollutants and toxic hazards, leading to serious illnesses such as silicosis, tuberculosis, chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and death. Professor Dingani Moyo, FRCP; FFOM; MFOM; MOHS; MAppMgnt. President of the Zimbabwe Society of Occupational Medicine (ZISOM) and IOMSC member said: ‘Uncontrolled mercury use and exposures are a common feature. I have dealt with many ASMs with mercury poisoning who have excessive memory loss, aggressive behaviours, and tremors. There is also a very high burden of silicosis due to poor knowledge, prevention of exposures and lack of adequate and effective respiratory protection. I have seen many young ASMs with very advanced stages of silicosis and the level of suffering is intense in this population’.

Due to the remote and often illegal nature of ASM, the exact number of miners is unknown and likely higher than estimated. Patterns of disease, injury and premature death are also poorly documented. Closing this data gap is crucial for planning and delivering health and safety interventions. Contact SOM for more details.

OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE CALENDAR

2025

2026