Our performance

Targets are set to drive improvements in occupational health and hygiene, and the health and wellbeing of the workforce is promoted through access to health information and programmes.

In 2005, there were 37 new cases of occupational illness reported, compared to 36 new cases reported in 2004. Since 2002, the number of new cases of occupational illness as a percentage of our workforce has improved steadily, which has been achieved in conjunction with improved HSEC reporting over this period.

The majority of new occupational illnesses in 2005 relate to noise-induced hearing loss and approximately a quarter of new illnesses relate to respiratory illnesses, primarily occupational asthma.

Both the overall Group and all commodity businesses performed above the satisfactory level on average against the Health and Occupational Hygiene Standard during the Xstrata HSEC Standards assurance audits.

No Xstrata operation was fined or prosecuted for occupational health-related issues during the year.