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5. Large-scale occupational health study at Cerro Matoso includes a pioneering epidemiological monitoring program
As part of the collective bargaining agreement process at our Cerro Matoso ferronickel smelter in the province of Cordoba, Colombia, it was agreed to conduct an occupational health study. The year was 1998, and the Antioquia University was selected as the independent institution to carry out the study. As well as reassuring our employees that their work is not affecting their health, the study has resulted in a major advance in large-scale epidemiological monitoring.
The occupational health study that commenced at Cerro Matoso in 1998 covers five areas: visual health, hearing health, respiratory health, absenteeism and cell-genetic bio-monitoring.
To establish a sound foundation for the study, databases for each area were developed. Built up over two years, these were based on information gathered from all employee occupational health examinations at Cerro Matoso since 1982. For example, readings of all workers' thorax x-rays taken throughout the previous 16 years were incorporated.
While every worker's clinical history was transferred to the databases, care was taken to preserve the anonymity of each individual, in accordance with International Labour Organisation guidelines.
These databases not only provided the source data for the study, but also facilitated development of the monitoring systems for the pioneering cell-genetic bio-monitoring program. With 210 participants, the program is the first study of its type in the world - a world-class technical and scientific achievement. A key benefit from the program is that the monitoring systems can be applied to any working population worldwide.
Specialist assistance was brought in as required. For instance, definition of the cell-genetic study was conducted with a group of international experts from the Nickel Producers Environmental Research Association (NiPERA), McMaster University and John Hopkins University.
In the area of absenteeism, the human resources team carried out an analysis of general absenteeism over the period, incorporating existing records showing where occupational health issues contributed to absenteeism.
Conducting the study presented a number of challenges, key among them being the management of such large volumes of data and then gaining the confidence of workers on the accuracy of the results.
Results from the study were made available to all employees in a series of booklets and also presented to the Occupational Health Labour Committee.
Based on the results, recommendations were made in relation to procedures and equipment purchases; and these have been implemented. Subsequent surveys have shown increased peace of mind among employees regarding the effectiveness of the Company's occupational health programs and an overall reduction in occupational illnesses at Cerro Matoso.
