Improve workers' awareness of occupational disease prevention

The National Occupational Disease Report 2013, released by the National Health and Family Planning Commission on the 30th, revealed that a total of 26,393 occupational disease cases were reported nationwide in 2013. Out of these, 23,152 cases were pneumoconiosis, making up 87.72% of all reported cases. This highlights the severity of dust-related lung diseases in the country.

Experts emphasize that raising workers' awareness of self-protection is crucial in preventing and reducing the impact of occupational diseases. Pneumoconiosis, a systemic illness, occurs due to long-term exposure to harmful dust, leading to fibrosis in the lungs. Dust is prevalent in almost every industrial and agricultural process, with some operations producing dangerously high concentrations that pose serious health risks. During inspections, it was found that many employers fail to provide appropriate protective equipment as per labor protection standards, and workers often do not wear or use the correct gear for their specific hazards.

Several factors contribute to the high incidence of pneumoconiosis. In addition to the delayed start of occupational disease prevention efforts in China, poor working conditions, incomplete hazard declarations, and inadequate safety measures also play a role. However, the most significant issue remains the lack of self-protection awareness among workers. Although government agencies are now paying more attention to workplace hazards, the problem remains severe and will require long-term solutions.

To address this, one key step is to accelerate industrial restructuring. Companies must embrace technological advancements to promote the optimization and upgrading of their industries. Industries with severe environmental pollution and occupational risks—such as small cement, steel, oil refining, glass, and electroplating companies—should be cleaned up or shut down. At the same time, efforts should be made to develop tertiary industries like commerce, transportation, catering, services, and tourism, especially in the context of small town development, to support clean and safe growth.

Employers also need to strictly fulfill their responsibilities in occupational disease prevention. They must establish and maintain a clear system for occupational health management according to legal requirements. This includes conducting proper health evaluations for new projects, implementing regular health monitoring, declaring workplace hazards, and preparing emergency response plans. Employers should also ensure that workers are properly informed about potential dangers in their work environment.

Finally, it's essential to improve workers’ understanding of safety precautions. First, employees should actively participate in training provided by their employers on occupational disease prevention and familiarize themselves with relevant laws and regulations. They should understand the types of hazards they face and how to protect themselves. Second, workers must undergo pre-employment, regular, and post-employment health checks to monitor their condition and choose suitable jobs. Third, they should learn to correctly use personal protective equipment such as protective clothing, face masks, goggles, and earplugs to reduce the risk of accidents.

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