ICMM - International Council on Mining & Metals

PROJECTS

Occupational exposure limits for metals

Our members are committed to minimizing health risks to workers, so their priority is to eliminate the potential for exposure to hazardous materials through best practice, process design and open communication. Total elimination of exposure is sometimes either impossible or impractical, and having clear exposure limits is an important part of ensuring adequate protection.

While exposure limits for the most common-place substances are set by national governments and are made obligatory by mining and workplace safety legislation, limits for certain materials can be inconsistent geographically, leading to confusion for multinational companies and their workforces. It is therefore important that the decision-making process is both transparent and consistent geographically and always based on sound science.

Reductions to exposure limits can have a profound effect on industry viability and this underlines the need for decisions to reflect relevant risk acceptance criteria and take account of any socio-economic consequences of change.

What is ICMM doing?

ICMM members believe there is benefit in adopting a consistent approach and methodology in the review of occupational exposure limits (OELs). Harmonization of the way OELs are set and the introduction of greater transparency in the process should be to the benefit of everyone involved.

The central component of ICMM’s approach is to promote a systematic method of evaluating, assessing and agreeing data and evidence, as well as a standardized way to assess the risks of exposures and the subsequent health effects.

We also want to see recognition that risk acceptance criteria will vary from place to place depending on the cultural acceptance of risk, but it is important that the development of such criteria is based on common principles.

For ICMM to achieve these aims we recognize the need for dialogue and understanding among a wide range of stakeholders, companies and territories.

A more consistent approach to setting and implementing OELs will be to the benefit of industry, its workforce and society

In November 2005 we convened, in conjunction with the Institute of Environment and Health, an international workshop attended by a limited number of regulatory scientists, academics and industry representatives. The workshop report outlines recommendations for the way forward.

In 2007, ICMM developed a database of materials and agents of concern within the minerals sector including information on established OELs; and a stakeholder forum supported by a respected international agency and an industry-wide database of exposure and health assessment records.

ICMM will look to build further upon these by developing a framework for the consideration of socio-economic factors, and a broader engagement strategy, including a follow-up workshop in 2008.

What will our work achieve?

A more consistent approach to setting and implementing OELs which will be to the benefit of industry, its workforce and society including governments and proponents of sound health and safety practice, and increased confidence that workers are adequately protected across the globe in support of the sustainability of the mining and metals sector.