Occupational Health Risk Management in a Mining and Quarrying Operation in Kogi State

This study assesses occupational health risk management practices in a limestone mining and quarrying operation in Kogi State, North Central Nigeria. Mining operations present diverse and serious occupational health hazards including silica dust inhalation, whole-body vibration from heavy equipment, chemical exposure during blasting, and elevated noise levels from drilling and crushing equipment. This research employs a risk management cycle methodology encompassing hazard identification, risk assessment using a quantitative risk rating matrix, evaluation of existing controls, and development of an improved risk management plan. Data were gathered through site walkthroughs, personal exposure monitoring for dust and noise, review of occupational health surveillance records, and structured interviews with health and safety officers and operational managers. Results indicate that respirable crystalline silica exposure levels in the drilling and crushing areas exceed occupational exposure limits, presenting a serious long-term silicosis risk for affected workers. Noise exposure monitoring shows that equipment operators exceed the eighty-five decibel action level on all assessed working days. Recommendations prioritise engineering controls including wet drilling suppression systems, enclosed operator cabins for drilling rigs, and acoustic barriers around crushers, supplemented by a formal respiratory health surveillance programme. Keywords: occupational health, mining and quarrying, silica dust, risk management, Kogi State