HEALTH AND SAFETY

The health and safety of its employees is a priority for Vale Inco Nouvelle-Calédonie. Very strict policies and procedures, inspired by practices used elsewhere in the world, have been introduced to ensure the health and safety of each employee at all times.

Vale Inco Nouvelle-Calédonie believes, furthermore, that while some of this responsibility is incumbent on the company, it falls first and foremost to each member of staff who should put into practice on a daily basis ways of working which do not endanger either their health or safety or that of their colleagues.

Since all the aspects of a project are interlinked, an integrated policy has been put into place, the Quality Hygiene Safety Environment policy, known as QHSSE policy.

Emergency and medical care management at Vale Inco Nouvelle-Calédonie

• On-site emergency care and participation in on-site emergency plans (cyclones, epidemics, accidents)
• Patient stabilization and transfer if required (in collaboration with the SAMU)
• General medical services on site, mainly for expatriate staff
• Collaboration with the SMIT (Intercompany medical service) regarding medical care of local staff and offering expatriate staff advice and counselling
• Collaboration with the DASS – Health and social affairs department (regulations, public health)
• Advises Site Management and Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Managers on health issues
• Organises post-hospitalization medical care on site for expatriate staff
• Works with the SMIT to ensure that staff are fit for work (e.g.: fit to perform high-risk work, operators, divers, miners, catering staff)
• Coordinates medical evacuation outside of N.C. for expatriate staff
• Works with FGI to ensure that Inco health standards are being applied
• Collaborates on health issues with other doctors based outside N.C. (International SOS doctors, Inco Chief Physician)  

Construction – Operation Different health risks

• Different requirements apply to construction and operation
• Forthcoming preparation for the operations phase
• Current priority to the construction phase
• A demographic change will occur, risks will take a different form

Existing medical facilities on site

• 1 Ambulance (a second 4x4 has been ordered)
• 2 shock trauma units with exactly the same equipment as Noumea Hospital Accident & Emergency Department
• 1 infirmary at the mine
• Computerized system
• Nursing care unit
• Medical and nursing office
• Consulting room
• Small pharmacy

Extension of medical centre in January 2006

• Laboratory equipment for emergency examinations
• Additional beds:17 including 5 isolation beds
• 17 extra emergency beds
• Additional doctors and nurses

• Laboratory equipment for emergency examinations
• Additional beds:17 including 5 isolation beds
• 17 extra emergency beds
• Additional doctors and nurses

Safety statistics (pdf)
Occupational accident typology (pdf)
Data on New Caledonia (CAFAT annual report 2004) (pdf)

Standard medical tests for expatriate workers

Medical history and vaccinations
Full medical examination
Urine analysis
Audiometry
Spirometry
Chest X-rays
Dental examination
Visual acuity
Psychological interview
ECG if > 40 years old or where a clinical indication or risk factor exists
Blood test
CBC
Blood group
Chemical composition (triglycerides, cholesterol, glycaemia, uric acid, urea)
HIV
VDRL

Alcohol and drug screening tests

Amphetamines/metamphetamines
Barbiturates
Benzodiazepines
Canabinoides
Cocaine
Ethanol
Morphine/Opiates

Tests for machine operators, crane drivers and heavy plant operators

• Reading test
• Colour vision
• Field of vision
• Ability to detect contours and relief
• Psychological test
• Clinical neurological examination
• Exercise ECG in accordance with identified risk factors

Tests for staff in contact with food

• Stool analysis
• Hepatic profile
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B (HBs)
• Hepatitis C
• Typhoid test

Vaccination

Compulsory vaccinations unless medical contraindications exist

Tetanus, typhoid, polio, hepatitis A and B, flu

Tuberculosis screening indication – e.g. other tests if RP is suggestive of TB – according to World Health Organisation 2004 Report recommendations on tuberculosis monitoring in the West Pacific region.

Medical procedure for expatriate staff on their arrival on site

• Registration with the medical department
• Transfer of medical records
• Clinical examination: temperature, cough, recent infection…
• Advice on health monitoring and education

Local community health

Avian flu - Preparation

• No human-to-human transmission to date
• Information before departure
• Medical monitoring on site
• Collaboration with NC public health departments and implementation of national plans
• Vaccination against seasonal flu before leaving the Philippines

Viral infections transmitted by blood
HIV/Hepatitis - Expatriates

• Compulsory screening to obtain a work permit from French embassies
• Pre-recruitment screening (blood tests)
• Vaccination against hepatitis before transfer
• Education
• Condoms available on site for all!

Other medical issues

• Expected alcohol or health problems no greater than in usual communities
• Employee assistance program for expatriates
• Filipino human resources department on site
• Cost structure in place for expatriates (social security)

Good relations and partnerships
Inform and communicate

• Quality assurance: GNi and Inco internal monthly report
• Inco health audits will be carried out
• Ongoing participation in various committees: social and cultural impact sub-committees, medical conferences, NC health committees and organisations…

If you would like to know more about Health at Vale Inco Nouvelle-Calédonie, click on:
Environmental policy and regulations