Occupational Illnesses

We are constantly looking for ways to improve our management of occupational illness within Xstrata. We undertake regular risk assessments of the environments in which our employees and contractors operate to ensure all significant health risks are identified and addressed. We work hard to improve on the mechanisms that we use to ensure the early identification of known and possible new risks as well as any changes to existing risks such as new scientific evidence about impact pathways or susceptibilities. We maintain an open communication culture on 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. 100% of our total 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, noiseinduced 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 (e.g. occupational asthma) relating to dust exposure.

In 2010, 62 new occupational illnesses were reported at our managed operations, compared with 36 in 2009. The large majority of this increase was made up of noise-induced hearing loss (20 extra cases) and musculo-skeletal injury (five extra cases). This has led to an increase in our occupational illness rate from a historic low of 0.24 in 2009 to 0.41 in 2010. A more detailed breakdown and account of our performance and initiatives taken in 2010 is provided below.

Noise-induced hearing loss

Damage to hearing can happen unknowingly without adequate awareness and education, and it is cumulative as well as irreversible. This is why it is one of the most prevalent forms of occupational illness in the industrial sector globally.

Our operations have the potential to expose employees and contractors to significant levels of noise from various sources such as heavy vehicles, drilling equipment, blasting and smelting activities. In our management of these risks, we observe the internationally accepted noise level limit of 85 dB(A), and our goal is to bring all noise levels in the workplace areas where employees and contractors operate to below this level.

As a first priority, we try to achieve this objective through a wide range of design and engineering techniques and the purchase of quieter equipment. Where we are unable, at least in the short term, to reduce the actual noise source to acceptable levels, we ensure that all employees who could potentially be exposed to high noise levels have easy access to appropriate personal protective equipment. They also participate in hearing conservation programmes that explain the risks, provide details of mitigation measures, conduct audiometric testing and tracking and train workers in the use of procedures and equipment that help minimise exposure to damaging levels of noise.

There were 50 new cases of noise-induced hearing loss in 2010, which is a significant increase on the 30 recorded in 2009. Hearing loss accumulates over time, and we believe that most of the new cases reported this year result from historical exposure when there was low awareness of good practice in this area. The increase in reported cases in 2010 was also due in part to a stepped-up occupational health screening process within Xstrata Copper.

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, Xstrata has partnered with different institutes to better understand the issue of fatigue and how to prevent it. Our businesses 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 under a commission from the Minerals Council of Australia. We address fatigue using the same risk management approach that we use for all workplace risks. We educate our people on fatigue, how it is caused and how it affects the human body. We use leading practice strategies to design our work programmes and to assist individuals to avoid fatigue and how to detect and manage fatigue effectively should it occur.

During 2010, a number of our operations tested new systems for detecting early signs of fatigue among the drivers of our mining vehicles and other mobile equipment. A system that uses a detector placed on the dashboard of the vehicle to track eye movement and blink rate, and provides audible and visual alarm signals when fatigue onset is detected, has been selected by a number of our operations. It is being pilot tested more widely across an initial selection of operations during 2010 and 2011.

Musculo-skeletal injuries

All of our operations have some need for manual handling and repetitive tasks as well as tasks that involve the use of heavy objects or that require the use of significant force. This brings with it 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 is also a function of the personal physical characteristics of the person, including 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 at the source by modifying or replacing machinery, altering work procedures and developing a range of engineering and ergonomic design solutions to reduce exposure to these types of risks. We have also put in place early-detection systems and support employees in their efforts to maintain or improve their fitness levels. Risk and functional assessments are routinely conducted at all managed operations.

In 2010, there were nine new cases of musculo-skeletal injury in the Group. This compares with four in 2009, and nine in 2008.

Wellbeing programmes

All of our managed operations have active wellbeing programmes in place that address aspects such as obesity, smoking, alcohol abuse, stress, diabetes, sleep disorders, living or working in extreme heat or extreme cold, cancer, HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis (TB). Participation in the programmes is voluntary and the aim is to help improve the overall health and wellbeing of our employees and contractors.

For example, Xstrata Alloys has developed a robust wellness programme at all its operations. Although initially focused on HIV/AIDS prevention and care, it has expanded to include general wellness information and advice on risk factors for chronic disease, such as blood pressure, body mass index and cholesterol. Employees receive assessments and information as part of their routine annual medical checkups. Since instituting the programme in 2008, our medical insurance provider reports 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.