Silica dust hazards in Vietnamese foundries - Asian-Pacific Newsletter on Occupational Health and Safety

Silica dust hazards in Vietnamese foundries
Current situation and countermeasures: May 1999

by: Viet Nam General Confederation of Labour, National Institute of Labour Protection and Asian-Pacific Regional Programme on Occupational safety and Health, ILO/FINNIDA

1. Introduction

The national strategy on prevention of silicosis aims to reduce exposure to silica dust among foundry workers and others. Effective measures presuppose an investigation of the current situation in industry.

Silicosis is a pulmonary disease caused by inhaling respirable silica dust. It is the leading occupational disease in Viet Nam. According to data provided by the Department of Preventive Medicine, foundries are among the five industrial sectors in which workers have the highest incidence of silicosis: 70.36 per cent (5).

This report aims to

overview the current situation in Vietnamese foundries, introduce NILP research results for 1981-1985 and 1998;
conduct pilot surveys of two foundries in Hanoi;
suggest measures to reduce exposure to silica dust; and
prepare a survey form for evaluating dust-prevention practices.

Methodology

questionnaires and interview
study of previous research and data
field study
expert counselling

Questionnaires

a) Form1: Primary Survey form (See Annex1)

The primary nation-wide survey seeks to clarify for each city, province, and industry the following issues:

number of foundries

capacity of each foundry

number of male and female employees

number of silicosis cases

number of occupational accidents

current situation of technology, dust-reduction measures, and plans for the future

Form 1 comes with two letters enclosed. One of them, from the standing vice-president of the VGCL requires the collaboration of trade unions in cities, provinces, and industries. The other letter, from the NILP, explains how to answer the questionnaire and provides a contact address.

b) Form2: Personal Questionnaire (see Annex 2)

Fifty of these questionnaires, designed to investigate working conditions, are distributed to each pilot foundry. The questionnaire aims to determine worker awareness of occupational safety and health (OSH), working conditions, silicosis, and preventive measures already in place.

Form 2 was distributed directly to employees in two workships in Hanoi. Respondents were selected in a way that cast light on the various stages in the foundry process.

Interview

The direct interview is intended for safety officers, health officers, production managers, and the company directorate.

Study of previous research and data

A study was carried out on the following research and data:

results of the state level projects conducted on silicosis foundry workers by the NILP during 1981-1985

data regarding health, X-rays, and silicosis cases at two pilot enterprises for the period 1995-1998

company policies on OSH

Field studies

The following field studies were carried out:

visual observation of technological processes and dust-prevention measures

measurement of dust concentrations at various stages of production

photographing specific operations

laboratory analysis of dust samples

Expert consultations

Experts were consulted on the following issues:

classifying degrees of severity in silicosis cases

appropriate technology

dust-prevention measures

compiling survey forms

Updated by PAP/SUT/TRS. Approved by BKL. Last updated on 21 November 2000