The Use of Health and Safety Equipment in the Emerald Mines of Swat Valley, Pakistan

A Cross-Tabular Descriptive Analysis of Miners’ Views

Abstract

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This study is about the non-use of health and safety equipment in the emerald mines of Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The paper draws on the findings of a survey of 300 miners working in the active emerald mines of Swat Valley. The survey was conducted to develop descriptive statistical data about various aspects of miners’ work. However, this paper descriptively presents the findings about the non-use of health and safety equipment in the mines. We sampled 300 gemstone miners from Swat Valley through a convenient sampling technique. The study finds that miners only use protective shoes, hard hats, and, occasionally, hearing conservation. They never use reusable respirators, half-facepiece respirators, full-facepiece respirators, air respirators, push-to-fit earplugs, reusable earplugs, earmuffs, and protective eyewear, thus making them vulnerable to injuries and casualties. Similarly, miners rarely use filter facepiece respirators, disposable respirators, power air-purifying respirators, foam earplugs, and reflective materials as limited to one of a hundred individuals. The use of modern protective equipment could only be ensured if the government takes strict action for the implementation of state policies about mining and by extending financial support and provision of safety equipment at the doorstep of miners.