Sustainability website / Sustainable Development / 9: Health and Occupational Hygiene

9: Health and Occupational Hygiene

Intent

Systems, plans and programmes are established and implemented to identify, analyse, evaluate, treat, so far as reasonably practicable, and enhance the health and well-being of workers, contractors and visitors, through providing a workplace that is free from significant occupational health and hygiene hazards. Public health risks affecting our people and the communities associated with our operations (including HIV and AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis) are identified and initiatives are implemented to mitigate these in partnership with appropriate stakeholders.

Requirements and Expectations

9.1

Occupational health assessment and surveillance systems and plans are established and implemented that include:

• Pre-employment health assessments that establish a baseline position and assess fitness for work
• Regular health surveillance appropriate to the level of exposure
• Communication of the results of health assessments and surveillance with due regard for confidentiality.

9.2

Occupational health and hygiene systems, plans, programmes and controls are established and implemented to:

• Identify occupational health and hygiene hazards including those associated with all work environments and activities
• Assess employee and contractor exposure to the hazards with reference to internationally recognised monitoring standards
• Eliminate as far as reasonably practicable, or otherwise minimise exposure to, hazards
• Provide personal protective equipment where other controls do not effectively reduce the risks
• Drive continuous improvements in occupational health and hygiene.

9.3

An effective illness and injury management system is implemented that:

• Considers the location and nature of the operation, site or project and its ability to provide effective medical and first aid services
• Considers the physiological, psychological and sociological elements of injury or illness
• Ensures healthcare is administered under the guidance of properly qualified professionals
• Ensures rehabilitation systems and procedures promote early intervention to assist optimum recovery from work-related injuries or illnesses and aid return to work
• Takes all reasonably practicable steps to assist or provide rehabilitation and suitable duties to employees who are injured at work
• Maintains the injured person's position for as long as is reasonably practicable or as specified under relevant laws.

9.4

Systems exist to identify significant public health risks and to assess the potential or actual impact on Xstrata's employees, contractors and communities associated with the operation, such as HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

Where high or rapidly growing prevalence of HIV and AIDS is identified as a risk, confidential, voluntary HIV and AIDS counselling, testing and treatment programmes are implemented in the workplace, complemented by education and awareness-raising programmes. Initiatives to provide community access to testing and treatment for HIV and AIDS are undertaken where relevant, in partnership with appropriate stakeholders.

9.5

The health and well-being of the workforce shall be promoted through access to health information and programmes.