At BHP, health surveillance is used as a proactive approach to ensure the health and safety of our workers. Using medical tests, we monitor the health status of our workers to enable early identification of relevant health changes. 

In 2024, the Health team at Escondida noticed an opportunity to improve the number of routine health evaluations occurring under the silica and noise surveillance programs. These programs are designed to assist our workers in managing health surveillance information to detect early signs of potential illness and ensure correct use of personal protective equipment to reduce potential exposure at our workplaces. After analysis and consultation with key health providers and employees One Health was launched.  

One Health is an innovative online platform that enhances the number of routine health evaluations occurring under our surveillance programs through consolidating relevant worker information. The streamlined health information is then accessible to authorised health personnel at clinics participating in Escondida’s surveillance programs. Data is managed in accordance with applicable privacy and data protection standards. As workers visit health clinics, the platform provides an alert if they are due for any health evaluations, allowing necessary tests to be performed on the spot. 

Since the platform’s launch in March 2024, health surveillance rates have moved beyond the 90 per cent goal as health surveillance tests have significantly increased. The number of chest x-rays conducted (classified using the International Labour Organization system for detecting early signs of pneumoconiosis) increased by 218.5 per cent and audiometric tests increased by 269.9 per cent compared to the previous quarter.  

In terms of productivity, performing health surveillance opportunistically during routine visits has proven to be efficient. While each evaluation might add around 30 minutes to the visit, it reduces the estimated annual attendance time by two hours. Implementation of the platform by participating health facilities has been a success, with more than 6,100 consultations recorded during the period of March to August 2024.  

As the champions of this platform, the Health team at Escondida has demonstrated BHP’s value of ‘seek better ways’ through the power of collaboration and using technology to innovate an existing process.