2007 Full Report - Kinross Gold

Occupational Health and WellnessOur employees are provided with training, instructions, procedures and protectiveequipment to minimize potential occupational health risks at our mines. We regularlymonitor our people for exposure to occupational health hazards like dust and fumes.Strict medical examinations are administered to current and potential employees andcontractors who travel to or work at high-altitude mine locations such as those weoperate in Chile.Paracatu providesemployees with regularmedical examinationsand guidance onpreventive measures toreduce health risks.All sites are required to conduct regular risk assessments of potential health issues.When issues are identified, formal occupational health and industrial hygiene programsare developed and implemented. Personnel and area sampling are conducted forall health issues identified and, if necessary, biological sampling of employees isimplemented to ensure contaminants do not negatively affect employee health andwell-being. Based upon the monitoring results, employees may be removed from workareas with no loss of pay to ensure their health and safety.Kinross has developed guidelines to assist our operations in managing issues such ashearing and respiratory protection, thermal stress, industrial hygiene, ergonomics andoccupational health. Each operation administers its own occupational health programs inaccordance with corporate standards and best practices. Part of our industrial hygieneprogram at some operations includes annual audiometric testing. We conduct biologicalmonitoring of our employees who work in laboratories and refineries for potential exposureto lead, mercury, silver and arsenic and, if required, we have protocols in place to modifywork to protect employee health.We provide emergency medical assistance (including evacuation) to employees in remotelocations, supplemental health care coverage for employees transitioning to otherjurisdictions, and vaccinations and altitude testing for employees visiting locationsoutside their own country.Our employee assistance program offers a full range of counselling services regardingemotional well-being, family issues, addiction and recovery, financial planning andretirement. This program is available to all of our North American employees at no cost.In addition to making health and wellness information available at our mining operations,most of our operations offer a range of wellness programs that are specific to theirunique needs and priorities. For example:Page 32 Kinross 2007 corporate responsibility report• Paracatu provides employees with regular medical examinations and guidance onpreventive measures to reduce health risks. A workplace exercise program has ledto a reduction in osteoarticular and muscular illnesses• Paracatu’s “Live Better” program, administrated by a team of doctors, nurses,nutritionists and other health care providers, encourages employees to adopt betterlifestyle and eating habits to prevent problems such as obesity and high blood pressure• At Maricunga, we have implemented a unique colour code program to indicate thecaloric content of the food offered at the mine and camp. The mess hall and cafeteriaare overseen by a professional nutritionist