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Mining remains one of the most perilous and hazardous occupations in the world.
To achieve rapid economic development, people explore natural sources from the
earth by mining. Sri Lanka is one of the leading country for gem industry. Though
gem mining is associated with various occupational health problems, there is no
evidence reported occupational injuries of gem miners in Sri Lanka. Determine the
prevalance of occupational injuries and preventive practices used by the gem miners
in Ehaliyagoda Pradesiyasaba division. This descriptive cross sectional study was
carried out in a sample of (384) randomly selected gem miners. An interviewer
administered questionnaire was used to collect data related to occupational injuries
during the past 12 months and the preventive practices for occupational health
problems. Descriptive statistics were applied to analyze data. The majority (88.8%)
of the participants had experienced accidental cut injuries and 49.6 % of them had
got injuries due to knocking with flying objects. One fourth (25%) of them had
fallen from heights and experienced injuries to bone (17.2%) and head (27.9%)
during the past. The workers' experience in accidental exposures to occupational
Hazards include toxic earth gasses (21.1 % ), flooding and drowning (21.1%) and
collapsing the walls of the tunnels (32.2%) during the past. None of the workers had
used personal protective equipment. The majority (81.5 %) had used proper building
^ techniques inside the mines and kept first aid box in the mine (38.5 %). Cut injuries
are common among gem miners followed by injuries due to flying objects. Gem
| miners are at high risk of getting accidental exposer to the collapsing of walls, earth
gases also flood and drowning. There should be standard health protective health
“safety measures in gem mines
