Treating occupational diseases
GRI 403-6
EVRAZ implements a number of measures to prevent occupational diseases, and seeks to run a healthy and safe working environment for all employees. In accordance with OHS‑related regulations the Group insures all EVRAZ employees against work-related accidents and occupational diseases; this insurance covers expenses related to the treatment of all occupational illnesses. EVRAZ constantly monitors the health condition of its employees. All facilities have their own medical posts to perform pre-shift checks and provide necessary medical assistance to employees. EVRAZ also provides financial assistance to employees if needed. Employees requiring extended medical treatment are eligible for additional compensation.
GRI 403-10
Number of registered occupational illnesses
In the reporting period cases of occupational diseases recorded at EVRAZ enterprises worldwide dropped to 237 – down 7% from 2018; musculoskeletal and hearing disorders remained at the same level and accounted for 84% of cases recorded in 2019. EVRAZ constantly monitors the working conditions of workplaces that see the highest health risks, and the Group continues to improve risk-based controls in order to prevent occupational diseases. All employees have to undergo annual medical examinations and health checks before commencing employment. A person with a high temperature or blood pressure or intoxicated is not permitted to work. The results of examinations help identify risk groups and to evaluate whether an employee is fit to work.
Project: Automation of pre-shift physical examinations
Stakeholders: employees, contractors
The medical examination procedure for workers became faster and more accurate: it now takes less than two-and-a-half minutes to undergo an automated health check-up. All information in real time is displayed at medical attendant workstations. If needed, the medic on duty invites an employee for further examination.
A successful medical examination enables an employee to access workplaces. If an employee has not undergone the procedure, an automated turnstile blocks their access to workplaces. New equipment also tracks the health status of employees through dynamics that determine unfavourable health conditions; this allows urgent medical treatments to be performed sooner.
Raspadskaya Coal Company has already equipped all its medical posts with new automated electronic health check-up systems, and has also initiated a pilot project to automate pre-shift physical examinations for contractors. Six of these stations have already been installed.
Value for stakeholders: safer work, tracking health conditions, reduced workloads for medical staff.
Value for EVRAZ: reduced health-related incidents, better quality medical examinations.
