Guide to Men’s Reproductive Health in the Mining Workplace

Growing evidence shows that certain workplace environments expose workers to hazards that can potentially lead to reproductive health problems, many of which are preventable. In the mining industry, workers face a range of potential hazards, and some of these hazards might affect their reproductive or sexual health. Specific concerns can vary based on age, with younger workers primarily focusing on fertility issues that could impact their family-planning abilities, while older workers tend to be more concerned about sexual health. Regardless of age or the specific concern, miners who experience fertility problems or other sexual health issues could benefit from a formal hazard assessment of their job to determine whether occupational exposures are contributing to or causing their reproductive health problems. Written by Céline Larivière and Dr. Sandra Dorman.