People
We attract and retain skilled people, ensure their wellbeing and work to be a valued neighbour and partner.
Our commitment to health and safety
At Rio Tinto Aluminium we are committed to protecting our people from harm and seek to eliminate hazards, incidents and injuries from the workplace.
Rio Tinto Aluminium engages employees about health and safety to create a workplace culture where employees believe all incidents and injuries are preventable. Behavioural observations and regular discussions at safety or 'toolbox' meetings are used to encourage safe practices.
Site-based safety committees and a Rio Tinto Aluminium safety executive committee work to improve safety performance by raising safety awareness, improving safety skills through training, and implementing systems that assess the risk of situations and operational hazards.
Our long term health improvement strategy focuses on eliminating occupational illness by reducing workplace exposure.
Our managed operations identify health risks and implement programmes that address these risks. We have programmes in place to reduce manual handling exposures and work continues to remove work related occupation hazards. The Wellness Programme across Rio Tinto Aluminium operations enables employees and contractors to assess and manage their individual lifestyle related health risks.
Click here to see Rio Tinto Aluminium's Health, Safety, Environment and Communities policy
Our commitment to communities
At Rio Tinto Aluminium we aim to develop lasting, mutually beneficial partnerships with our local communities.
At Rio Tinto Aluminium we believe it is important that our local communities understand the business and can participate in an open, honest dialogue. To understand community expectations we consult with local stakeholders, conduct research and form partnerships where appropriate.
Our operations have established community relations programmes to ensure that ongoing business priorities remain relevant and consistent with those of the communities within which we operate.
As part of our community relations programmes, we support projects and activities that contribute to the long term sustainability of communities. The programmes cover areas such as infrastructure, education, recreation, biodiversity/environment and healthcare.
Partnering with other organisations can deliver long term benefits to our host communities and help us to strengthen relationships critical to the sustainability of the business.
Click here to see Rio Tinto Aluminium's Health, Safety, Environment and Communities policy
Our commitment to employees
At Rio Tinto Aluminium, we employ approximately 5,100 employees and relief contractors, with the majority working at our operations in Gladstone, Queensland.
Attracting and retaining employees in today's labour market is difficult as the minerals metals industry is extremely competitive. However, in 2006 we managed to reduce our general employee turnover rate to approximately nine per cent against a target of ten per cent. At our operations, we are closely monitoring and analysing data collected in employee surveys and exit interviews and reviewing remuneration to ensure we improve our performance and remain competitive.
We also invested significant time and effort into recruiting graduates and apprentices throughout 2006 and attended career forums, advertised nationally for available positions and participated in other initiatives to attract potential employees.