Analysis of marble quarry activities in terms of occupational HEALTH and safety: A case study

Our country comes to the fore of the world in terms of natural stone and marble reserves, quality, and production. Marble export, which is increasing regularly, is one of the mining products that provide the most serious foreign exchange inflow to our country. The process of a marble quarry is generally carried out based on the use of manpower and machinery and equipment. Therefore, those workers in this field may face many dangers and risks. In order for marble quarries to be more reliable in terms of occupational health and safety, it is necessary to perform statistical analysis and evaluation of the accidents experienced there and to carry out risk analyzes in each unit of the quarry and to determine the causes of dangerous situations and errors. In this study, first, all activity of a marble quarry operating in Bilecik was determined, the accidents experienced in these areas in the last 3 years were statistically examined, and then risk assessment was carried out using the Fine-Kinney method. Accident analysis evaluations have shown that most accidents are in the form of hand-tool collisions and that most of the accidents occur in the sizing area of the production unit. The risk assessment revealed 6 intolerable risks and showed that these were in the sizing, quarry roads, maintenance shop, and machine park activities. In addition, all analyzes obtained as a result of the study were evaluated and the relevant measures for occupational health and safety were expressed in the form of recommendations.