Mitigating malaria risk for extractive industry workers operating in endemic countries

Inspired by the World Health Organization, the company adopted the ABCD malaria mitigation framework to protect our workforce. As a result, no employee got sick from 2004–2008, the number of malaria cases among contractors dropped by 95.0%, and 98.8% of the workers tested worldwide in 2009 were compliant with the malaria chemoprophylaxis program. Malaria is a common disease in tropical countries where extractive industries operate. With a globally mobile workforce, thousands of nonimmune workers are exposed to malaria. Malaria episodes can cause serious personal consequences and company disruptions.. The company's malaria program provides awareness through education to workers going to malaria-endemic countries; employees must have a “malaria visa” prior to travel that confers basic knowledge on malaria, protective measures, chemoprophylaxis requirements, and treatment guidance. Bite prevention combines the use of skin repellents, insecticide-treated clothes and mosquito nets, indoor and outdoor spraying, larva control, and screened buildings. Chemoprophylaxis offers medicine supplies and compliance testing to insure adequate protection of the workforce. Diagnosis and early treatment include a 24/7, globally available malaria hotline with emergency medical response system for hospitalization and evacuation, on-site medical services, and a rapid diagnostic test with standby treatment supplied to all travelers. Integrating the malaria program into company safety and health procedures combined with business partnerships for malaria services and supplies, and institutional commitment assure effective implementation and exceptional achievements.