Chemical hazards

Thousands of chemicals are used in the materials and component manufacturing and assembling of electronics products. In mines, chemicals are used in both the extraction and processing of minerals.

Many of these chemicals are toxic to human health and should not be used or should only be used with extensive industrial hygiene measures to protect workers and the environment. Unfortunately, such measures are sometimes lacking. Workers are often exposed to toxic substances and their vapours that can lead to skin irritations, illness and even death.

It can be difficult to get information about which chemicals are being used, as employers often do not share it. Even though there may be laws about informing workers of the chemicals being used, in the language they understand, and to display this in the workplace, workers are not always informed of the exact names.

Ergonomic hazards

In electronics manufacturing and mining, repetitive movements and awkward posture that puts strain on the body can lead to repetitive strain injuries for workers. Where workers do not alternate regularly between roles, physical damage to specific parts of the body can accumulate. Lifting heavy loads can cause back injuries.

In mines, hammering and drilling both require repetitive motions that accumulate physical damage. The vibration from pneumatic tools like drills can exacerbate damage.

Excessive working hours

Excessive working hours are common in both manufacturing and mining, and can lead to chronic diseases. Standing for long shifts of up to 12 hours exacerbates the harm of repetitive strain injuries. Working excessive hours can cause psychological and physical strain, which raise the risk of accidents especially when operating heavy machinery.

Overcrowded and unsanitary dormitories

Many electronics production workers, especially migrant workers, live in hostels and dormitories provided by their employer. They are often crowded with insufficient ventilation, increasing the risk of infectious diseases spreading.

Noise

Instruments and machinery used in mines or in factories can emit dangerous levels of noise (above 85 decibels) which damages workers' hearing.

Accidents

In factories, workers pressured by tight delivery times and high production quotas may suffer burns and injuries to their fingers or hands, including amputation in extreme cases, as they feel under pressure to overlook safety guidelines in order to meet deadlines. In mining, workers are at risk from the physical collapse of mines (cave-ins), landslides, rock falls and slip-drops. In smelters, furnace explosions present an additional risk and some countries have specific laws and inspections to try to prevent them.

Dust

Workers in factories manufacturing batteries for electronics and electric vehicles can be exposed to toxic or dangerous dust. In mines, inhalation of fine particles like silica dust may lead to occupational lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumoconiosis. Silica is the most common dust present in ore, but dust can also be formed by the element extracted – nickel, copper, etc. Each can cause a specific respiratory disorder.

Specific risks affecting young women

The electronics manufacturing industry has always employed a high ratio of young women. Excessive work hours, toxins, radiation, ergonomic and chemical hazards have a bigger impact on the reproductive health of this group as they are at an age where they may be pregnant or wish to become pregnant. Young women workers have reported menstrual abnormalities, fertility issues, problems during and after childbirth and foetal abnormalities.

In this interview, miner Andrea Condo talks about working conditions in a cooperative tin mine in Bolivia, and their impact on workers' health.