Iluka undertakes occupational exposure monitoring and health surveillance across the business to assess potential exposure to identified contaminants, assess the effectiveness of risk mitigation strategies and proactively identify any potential adverse health outcomes.
Monitoring programs are based on qualitative and quantitative risk assessments and are guided by our standards and guidelines. Programs are in place at Australian and US sites, with the introduction of a structured program to commence at Sierra Leone in 2019 following capacity building in 2018.
Based on our operational risk profile, programs typically focus on monitoring exposure to airborne contaminants including respirable dust, respirable crystalline silica, inhalable dust, noise and radiation. Management plans are developed and implemented at site level for significant occupational hygiene risks and include detail on risk controls, monitoring programs, designated responsibilities, objectives, targets and timeframes.
In Australia, there were 33 exceedances of occupational exposure levels recorded in 2018, all attributed to noise. Radiation monitoring results and dose assessments for all employees and contractors were well below 50 per cent of the regulatory annual dose limit. For more on Iluka’s management of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM), refer to the environment section of this report.
Noise exposure remains a potential risk across all Australian sites. As a result, a focus on reducing exposure has been included in the sustainability performance improvement targets.
In 2018, we reported 10 cases of occupational illnesses. Five of these cases related to employees contracting malaria, typhoid or dengue fever while undertaking short-term assignments at international locations other than their usual place of work; four were reactions to animal or insect bites; and one a repetitive strain injury.