Lead

Across our operations, there are four sites where lead is mined or processed, and where potential lead exposure is an important health concern. These sites (all within the Xstrata Zinc business) are McArthur River Mine and Mount Isa Mines in Australia, Brunswick mine and smelter in Canada and Northfleet lead refinery in the UK.

Blood lead limits are set at levels below international occupational health guidelines at all applicable Xstrata operations.

Our tracking statistics show a very positive trajectory for both average blood lead levels across relevant sites and the incidence of individual worker blood levels above 40 micrograms per decilitre (μg/dl) (which is above the stricter relocation level of 35μg/dl that we apply at three out of the four relevant sites).

During the period 2006 through 2010, average blood levels were below 50% of the relocation levels across all relevant sites, and have improved on average by 23% since 2009. In terms of incidence of worker levels above the critical 40μg/dl threshold, these have significantly declined from 34 in 2008 to only five in 2010.

In addition, very few female workers at Xstrata’s operations undertake activities in areas where there is exposure to lead levels. As a result, 96% of female workers tested in 2010 had blood lead levels of less than 10μg/dl and no female worker tested had blood lead levels above 20μg/dl.

In line with our SD Standards, our operations have developed occupational hygiene programmes and approaches to minimise the exposure of employees and contractors to lead. These include:

• Training to help individuals understand what they can do to minimise their own exposure, such as the effective use of personal protective equipment;
• Comprehensive biological and workplace monitoring – blood lead limits are set at levels below international occupational health guidelines; and
• Relocation of any employees and contractors with blood lead levels in excess of our pre-defined limits until their levels are reduced to acceptable levels.

Should a worker be relocated, an investigation is conducted as part of the lead management review process. This review investigates whether factors such as personal hygiene, respirator fit, work performed or potential external sources of lead may have contributed to the high lead blood reading and determines actions taken to reduce further exposure. These reviews continue following each of the next three scheduled blood tests.

Xstrata Zinc has also strengthened its cadmium programme during 2010 to standardise the management practices related to this metal across the business unit. Cadmium, as for lead, is a potential risk and uncontrolled exposures can adversely affect workers’ health. The cadmium protocol covers biological monitoring of employees and contractors, and appropriate occupational hygiene procedures to minimise exposure.