| |
|
| |
| Review of 2003 |
|
| AngloGold recognises that excellence in the
management of safety and health is integral to its success as a
business entity. AngloGold is committed to working with employees,
trade unions, and government representatives to improve safety and
health management across the company and has extensive joint
management and union safety and health forums, particularly in South
Africa, to be able to achieve this. Considerable resources and
effort are dedicated to identifying and implementing best practice
across operations, as well as addressing specific problem areas as
and where these may arise. |
| |
| Governance and structure |
While a Board committee oversees safety and
health reporting company-wide, the recently revised safety and
health policy allows for country-specific principles and guidelines
to be developed in accordance with local legislation. Guided by the
policy, the COO, Dave Hodgson, is charged with the overall
management of occupational safety and health. He reports to both the CEO, Bobby Godsell, and the Board committee on Safety, Health and
Sustainable Development, which is chaired by non-executive Board
member, Bill Nairn. The other committee members are Deputy Chairman,
James Motlatsi, and CEO, Bobby Godsell. Members of management are
invited to participate in the committee?s proceedings as and when
required. In addition to reviewing the overall performance of the
key indicators, the committee sets objectives and advises on
strategy. The committee also conducts on-site inspections on matters
of serious concern.
Although occupational health management is viewed as a matter for
line management, occupational health surveillance and the provision
of health care is overseen by AHS. (See About AngloGold Health Service
box below). |
| |
 |
| |
| Occupational health issues remain important |
AngloGold provides a comprehensive health
service to its employees, especially in South Africa, where the
majority of the company?s employees are located.
In South Africa,
AngloGold runs two occupational health centres, each of which is
staffed by two doctors and some 30 support health care
practitioners.
These centres conduct risk-based medical surveillance programmes, of
which 5,733 initial, 804 transfer, 38,528 periodical (annual/three
yearly) and 4,143 exit medical examinations were undertaken during
the year.
Outside of South Africa, occupational health care is provided by
on-site primary health care clinics.
The primary challenges facing the company from an occupational
health perspective are: |
| • |
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL); |
| • |
Tuberculosis (TB); and |
| • |
Occupational lung disease (OLD). |
|
| |
|
About AngloGold Health Service |
AngloGold Health
Service (AHS) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AngloGold and
provides health care services to AngloGold?s 42,448 employees in
South Africa and a growing number of their dependents through
its extensive network of world-class hospitals, community-based
clinics and on-mine medical stations. AHS also manages the
provision of health care at the East and West African
operations.
AHS employs some 1,300 people, 60% of whom are health care
professionals. The company owns and operates two hospitals ? one
in Orkney and one in Carletonville. Each AHS hospital has
medical, surgical and maternity wards, an intensive care unit,
operating theatres, casualty and outpatient facilities, as well
as radiography, physiotherapy and occupational health services.
AngloGold?s South African employees have unlimited access to
these health care facilities.
AHS also operates two full-scale occupational health centres on
behalf of AngloGold. At these centres all new recruits and
employees returning from leave undergo medical examinations in
terms of legislation. A primary objective of this routine
surveillance is the prevention, early detection and treatment of
occupational diseases, it also ensures that employees are fit to
work in their own specific occupation. An AHS subsidiary, Aurum
Health Research, was established in 1998 to conduct world-class
research into HIV, TB and OLD. Staffed by senior medical and
research personnel, Aurum is able to conduct fundamental
research, the findings of which can be quickly and effectively
implemented in the work situation. |
|
| |
| NIHL levels improve |
In South Africa, stricter screening for NIHL, in
preparation for new compensation legislation, which became effective
in November 2003, required the base-lining of all employees. This
meant an increase in NIHL reporting rates in 2002, but there was a
significant decline in 2003.
Major efforts over the last three years have resulted in the
muffling of all rock drills as well as 95% of all noisy underground
fans in the South Africa region. Results from this initiative should
become evident in decreased NIHL in the future as ambient noise
levels have been significantly reduced.
In addition to engineering efforts, the hearing conservation
programme was advanced by a trial to determine appropriate hearing
protection devices (HPDs) for different occupations and workplaces.
Five different HPDs are now standard stock items. |
| |
| Controlling exposure to dust |
Exposure to silica dust remains one of the major
contributing factors in the development of TB and OLD. The
relatively high rates of TB infection are also a consequence of the
high background prevalence of HIV; 84% of new TB patients
are HIV positive. (See case study).
AngloGold continues to implement initiatives to improve dust control
(See case study) and eradicate or minimise the
prevalence of OLD, in particular, silicosis
(See case study). AngloGold has been instrumental in
driving legislation towards a new approach to dust management within
South Africa. These initiatives have informed the new ?Guideline for
Airborne Pollutants?, published by the DME, which is now mandatory
in South African mining. Initiatives with respect to refining
engineering controls, dust filtering, and administrative and
personal protective equipment continue in an effort to provide a
safer work environment.
New methods of measurement implemented on the South African
operations have provided the basis for engineering control; these
efforts have been rewarded by results that show that no employee in
the South African region has been exposed to dust levels above the
accepted safe levels for the last four consecutive quarters.
TB remains an important element in occupational health and in South
Africa is classified as a compensable disease in silica-exposed
employees. More effective detection methods are resulting in earlier
diagnosis and treatment, which is limiting the onward transmission
of the disease and reducing disability. Nonetheless, the increasing
TB rates are a cause for concern and are directly related to the
prevalence of HIV/AIDS.
Efforts to curb HIV infection are discussed in the
HIV/AIDS section of this
report. |
|
|
|
