2005 Sustainability Report - Lafarge

Preventing
health risks
CONTINUED PURSUIT OF LAFARGE'S HIV/AIDS PROGRAMS
AND EXTENSION TO MALARIA
Lafarge's commitment to combating public health problems reflects both its ethical commitment and
an economic imperative. For instance, Lafarge employs around 7,300 people in ten of the African
countries worst affected by the AIDS epidemic. As a founding member of the Global Business Coalition
on HIV/AIDS, Lafarge has set up an African Health Committee since 2000 and given its Business
Units roadmaps and specific budgets.
In 2005, following the widespread introduction of prevention and testing programs, tritherapies
became available in nine countries for employees and their families. Furthermore, a reporting
system was implemented to monitor treatment and screening-related indicators on a quarterly
basis. In 2005, 90% of employees participated in the prevention and information programs, with
40% undergoing voluntary screening. Efforts during 2006 will be devoted to the implementation of
prevention, screening and treatment programs in local communities and to adapting and replicating
the program in other countries. These programs are being lauched in certain units in India and China.
Drawing on the experience gained during its efforts to combat AIDS, Lafarge has extended its program
to malaria, another debilitating disease found throughout Africa. 90% of Lafarge's units operate in
malaria-endemic regions. The disease accounts for an average of 35% (and up to 70%) of consultations
at the Group's health centers. Along the lines of the managerial model adopted to combat AIDS,
prevention and treatment programs have been set up in seven countries in 2005. Units in all the
relevant countries have undertaken to implement these programs by year-end 2006.
IMPLEMENTATION OF AN AVIAN FLU ALERT CELL
In September 2005, the Group set up an avian flu alert cell. Its role is to mobilize the Group's human resources network around the world to coordinate
information, communicate with employees and prevent risks. The final few months of 2005 were spent planning ahead to determine which resources would
need to be implemented and raising general awareness about responsible preventative behavior. The cell's role will also include making emergency
decisions should the animal virus mutate into a form transmissible from human to human. A hotline available round the clock was set up with SOS International
to back up Lafarge's human resources network.
PROTECTING OUR
EMPLOYEES' HEALTH
Keen to protect our employees' health,
we are continuing our efforts to prevent
occupational illnesses. Our Health
and Safety Policy summarizes the
fundamental principles in this area, as
well as the key roles and available tools.
This factor is also taken into account
by the Business Units where numerous
local initiatives are set in motion. In
France, for instance, a program was
launched by Lafarge Ciments in
conjunction with an occupational
physician to define a policy and
organize health management at the
various sites.
ZOOM
Lafarge’s health center for AIDS prevention
and treatment in South Africa.
The risks remain modest in our industry,
with 227 cases of occupational illnesses
recorded during 2005, i.e. 0.3% of our
workforce.
> See indicators on page 42
In 2006, the European Works Council
plans to carry out a health survey, similar
to the safety survey organized in 2005.
LAFARGE | 2005 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT | PAGE 31