1. What is this study about?

The study is based on the annual Pathology Computerised Pathology Automation System (PATHAUT) surveillance report. The study aims to summarise demographic data, highlight the occupational respiratory diseases in miners and the pathological findings, and show the key trends of these diseases in miners who were employed in South African mines over time.

2. Why does this matter?

It is important to analyse the cardiorespiratory organs of current and ex-miners to determine the occupational diseases associated with this type of employment in order to eradicate them. Additionally, this study is significant because it raises awareness, improves surveillance, and enhances research on these diseases. The government also offers compensation to the families of the deceased miners who have been diagnosed with certified compensable diseases such as silicosis, coal worker’s pneumoconiosis, mixed dust fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), asbestos-related diseases (asbestosis, mesothelioma, asbestos plaques, and diffuse pleural fibrosis), and progressive systemic sclerosis (excluding skin).

3. How did the surveillance come about?

The surveillance of occupational respiratory diseases was established long ago, in 1911, when the Miners’ Phthisis Allowances Act (No. 34 of 1911) was promulgated in South Africa, and the use of autopsies for the analysis of compensable disease was introduced. The PATHAUT database was developed in 1975 to store demographic information, clinical cause of death, occupational histories, and pathological findings seen in the cardiorespiratory organs of the deceased miners. The first standardised surveillance report was written in 1999.

4. What was your role in the study?

For this article, my role was to draft the manuscript and lead the data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

5. Why should people read this article?

The article provides a good summary of the PATHAUT findings, highlighting trends associated with cardiorespiratory diseases in deceased miners. Due to a decline in numbers seen over the years, we hope to raise awareness amongst healthcare professionals and the public about the surveillance of occupational respiratory diseases and the status/key trends observed since 1975.

6. What impact do you hope this surveillance will have on public health policy and access to healthcare?

I hope this publication will educate the public on the availability of the autopsy services provided by the NIOH Anatomical Pathology Division, raise awareness of the government’s initiative as per the Occupational Diseases in Mines and Works Act (ODMWA), 1973 (Act 78 of 1973), which compensates families of deceased miners with certified compensable diseases, and increase awareness of occupational diseases associated with mining and works. This will, in turn, emphasise the importance of adhering to policies amongst mine workers for the eradication of these diseases and help bridge any gaps in research on occupational respiratory diseases seen in mine workers.

Ms Thembi Mashele is a medical scientist at the Pathology Division at the National Institute for Occupational Health.

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