Rwanda marks World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Rwanda Friday marked World Day for Safety and Health at Work with health screening of miners in Bugesera district, eastern Rwanda.

The event was held at COPABAMANYA cooperative mining site employing about 70 people in Coltan and cassiterit mining.

Speaking at the event, Gaspard Musonera, the Permanent Secretary at Rwanda's Ministry of Public Service and Labor said his government's plan was to extend medical screening services to all mines to help workers know their health status.

The workers were screened for silicosis, a chronic respiratory disease caused by inhaling of and long exposure to tiny bits of mineral substances.

Musonera stressed the importance of good health for workers in production.

Healthy workers are more productive because they do not fall sick or remain in bed due to body weakness which boosts their economic performance and welfare, he said.

Vincent Mutabazi, director of respiratory diseases at Rwanda Biomedical Centre said 93 workers were screened but results showed that no one of them was infected with the disease.

Most of the workers tested have been carrying out mining activities for between one and two years.

Miners who have worked for between 5 and 10 years are more vulnerable to the disease, he said.

Rwanda country profile on Occupational Safety and Health 2012 shows that occupational deaths increased from 41 in 2007 to 263 in 2012.

The mining sector has high occupational hazards, accounting for 35 percent.

Globally, at least 160 million workers are affected by occupational diseases each year, while 317 million accidents occur on the job annually, leading to extended absence from work for many, according to data from the International Trade Union Confederation, a global voice of the world's working people.

Africain Biraboneye, the executive secretary of Rwanda Workers Trade Union Confederation called for training of some workers who can be trained to offer first aid at work.

Musonera called on mining companies to embrace use of technology to modernize their operations and help reduce occupational hazards. Endit