4.3 Disease in the workplace  (Page 2/3)

PRIESKA - Between 200 and 250 unmarked graves have been found on a hill adjacent to a mine dump at the Glen Alan open-pit mine. At the same time the communities here have been preparing for a protest march against the effect of asbestos.

The protest march in the Northern Cape is intended to exert pressure on the British House of Lords to allow a court case involving the legal claims of 3 000 South African victims of asbestosis to be heard in Britain. They are claiming compensation from Cape, formerly the largest asbestos company in the world.

Translated from Die Burger, 26 December 1999

Report 3

Pollution real problem in Hong Kong

Hong Kong - This city was shrouded in thick smog once again on Thursday and pollution levels were dangerously high for the second day running. Notice boards along the roads registered “very high levels” and advised people with heart and lung problems to stay indoors.

On Wednesday the Air pollution Index, which measures pollution particles in the air, recorded a level of 170. This is the highest since March 2000 when the level went up to 174. Recent studies show that pollution has caused approximately 17 500 people to be hospitalised for treatment. - (Sapa-DPA)

Report 4

Peasants angry with mine companies

LIMA (Peru) - Approximately 1 000 peasants arrived in the city last Monday after a journey on foot that lasted seven days. They demanded government action against what they described as the “pollution or confiscation of land by large mining companies”.

“We are not against mining development, but we want local communities to be consulted in the matter,” said Mr Miguel Palacin, leader of the pressure group that is acting on behalf of 1 135 communities.

“The government is not at all interested in listening to our problems. The problem is that the mining companies pollute our land and our rivers, and undermine our health,” Palacin said. An official of the ministry of mines and energy said that the government would investigate the matter. - (Reuters)

1. Write a short sentence to summarise the problem that is addressed in each newspaper report.

2. Discuss the following statements:

The location of industries causes certain groups to be more exposed to unhealthy conditions than others.

Many beautiful pieces of furniture in wealthy homes may have made the world poorer.

The management of a mine has a responsibility towards its employees to identify and address the hazards to which they are exposed over a period of time.

3. Talk to your local doctor to find out exactly what kinds of disease are generally contracted by mineworkers.

4. Are there any precautionary measures that mining management can put in place in order to limit to the minimum the health risks run by mineworkers? (Class discussion)

C. The role of asbestos mines in asbestosis

Asbestos has been mined in South Africa since the beginning of the 20 ^th century. By 1910 five asbestos mines were operating in our country. Although other countries took precautions against the harmful effects caused by asbestos, South Africa initially did nothing to inform workers about the dangers of asbestos.