Types of occupational illness cases
The main types of new cases are musculo skeletal conditions and noise induced hearing loss.
Main types of new cases of occupational illness (per 10,000 employees)
- After decreasing steadily since 2002, the rate of new cases of musculo skeletal conditions rose from 67 in 2004 to 69 in 2005. The precipitating factors for occupational musculo-skeletal illnesses are increasing age, reducing levels of physical fitness in more sedentary workers, poor ergonomic design and whole body vibration. Where these can be controlled a risk based approach to their management is required by the occupational health standards.
- The number of new cases of noise induced hearing loss fell by 41 per cent, to 60 cases. The decrease is partially related to increased awareness of the effects of workplace noise and increasing the use of hearing protection. This should reduce the number of new cases in future years.
- The number of new skin illness cases has fallen from 15 in 2004 to five in 2005.
- Lung conditions have traditionally been associated with the mining industry. In 2005, zero new cases of pneumoconiosis were detected by our medical monitoring procedures. Occupational asthma occurs in workers exposed to dust and fumes in aluminium pot rooms and closely associated operations. The exact cause of the condition remains a matter of scientific debate. A significant amount of work has been done at the Group's aluminium smelters to control workers' exposures by both engineering means and the mandatory use of dust and fume masks when in pot rooms. The number of new cases diagnosed in 2005 was four, compared to three in 2004.
- Rio Tinto reports malaria as an occupational illness if it occurs in a traveller to a malarial area from an area with no or very little malaria. Seconded staff or employees working in a malaria endemic area are not recorded as having an occupational condition if they develop malaria. The number of new cases of malaria decreased from seven in 2004 to three in 2005.
- In 2005, the number of recorded cases of work related stress within the Group was five. This was a decrease from 12 recorded cases in 2004 and 21 recorded cases of stress in 2003. Although it is recognised that under reporting may be occurring, a consistent number of companies report the majority of cases. As such, it is likely that the trend reflects growing awareness and control in those companies.
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