Occupational health

We are constantly looking for ways to improve our management of occupational illness. We undertake regular risk assessments of our working environments to identify and address all significant health risks. We work hard to ensure the early identification of known and possible new risks. We communicate openly about health risks and assessments, with due regard for employee and contractor confidentiality and privacy.

We work with our employees and contractors to address health issues. Our entire workforce is represented in formal joint management-worker health and safety committees, which monitor and advise on occupational health and safety programmes.

Many occupational illnesses have a long latency, in particular, noise-induced hearing loss and musculo-skeletal illness, and consequently are the result of past management practices. Some illnesses, however, can be attributed to more recent exposure, such as respiratory illnesses like occupational asthma, relating to dust exposure.

Noise-induced hearing loss

Damage to hearing can happen unknowingly, and it is cumulative as well as irreversible. This is why it is one of the most prevalent forms of occupational illness in the mining sector.

Our operations can expose employees and contractors to significant levels of noise from various sources such as heavy vehicles, drilling equipment, blasting and smelting activities. To manage these risks, we observe the internationally accepted noise level limit of 85 dB(A) and aim to bring all workplace noise to below this level.

Our first priority is to bring the noise levels down by purchasing quieter equipment. Where this is not yet possible, we ensure all employees wear personal protective equipment. We also provide training about the risks of high noise levels, and give employees regular hearing tests.

Fatigue

Fatigue affects long-term health, reduces work performance and increases the risk of safety incidents. We recognise that there are a variety of factors that give rise to fatigue, including shift work and extended working hours, stress, overall health and nutrition.

In recent years, we have gained a better understanding of fatigue and how to prevent it. We apply the principles and standards in the document ‘Work Design, Fatigue and Sleep’ - a resource document for the minerals industry, developed by the Centre for Sleep Research at the University of South Australia. We educate our people on the causes of fatigue and how it affects the human body. We use leading practice strategies to design our work programmes and to help employees avoid fatigue and how to detect and manage fatigue effectively should it occur.

Musculo-skeletal injuries

All of our operations involve some manual handling and repetitive tasks, as well as the use of heavy objects or significant force. This brings the risk of both acute and chronic musculo-skeletal injury such as sprains and strains and damage to joints and tendons. The extent of the risk also depends on the person’s age, fitness and the variety of movements that they use in their job. To minimise these risks, we pay close attention to employee and contractor wellness and fitness for work. Like noise-induced hearing loss, musculo-skeletal injuries also tend to be cumulative.

Where possible, we have tackled the issue by modifying or replacing machinery, altering work procedures and developing design solutions. We have also put in place early-detection systems and support employees in their efforts to maintain or improve their fitness levels.

Wellbeing programmes

All of our managed operations have active wellbeing programmes to help improve the overall health and wellbeing of our employees and contractors. The programmes address health issues such as:

• obesity
• smoking
• alcohol abuse
• stress
• diabetes
• sleep disorders
• living or working in extreme heat or extreme cold
• cancer
• HIV/AIDS
• malaria
• tuberculosis (TB)

Since we launched a wellness programme at Xstrata Alloys in 2008, there has been a significant increase in the number of employees seeking treatment for diabetes, asthma and tuberculosis, which will have long-term benefits for employee health and productivity.