Sustainable Development

Lafarge aims to become the safest company in its sector. Since 2002, the Group has achieved a significant reduction in both the frequency and the gravity of work-related accidents. These improvements are due in part to the Group's Health and Safety management system, which defines the minimum safety levels required for all Lafarge sites.

A great deal remains to be done. For this reason, employee safety is the top priority in the Excellence 2008 strategic plan.

Results of the safety audit

An independent agency conducted an audit of 91 sites in the first half of 2006. The audit highlighted considerable improvements in the work-related accident rate and in employees' awareness of risks.

Unfortunately, it also revealed certain shortcomings, such as the absence of systematic communication of best practices, a lack of rigor in the application of procedures, and a lack of management involvement.

As a result, a new Health and Safety Roadmap was drafted in September 2006.

Improving safety at work for everyone

To reach its target of zero fatal accidents and keep lost time injuries to a minimum, Lafarge:

• informs its employees and subcontractors about the risks related to their activities and provides appropriate training,
• supervises the systematic application of safety rules,
• implements procedures for reporting incidents and undertakes regular audits,
• identifies and communicates best practices and drives their adoption across all worksites.

Lafarge intended to halve its lost-time injury rate compared to 2005, and to achieve a 1.55 rate by 2008. Since such good progress was made in 2007, the Executive Committee agreed to set a tougher target for 2008 of 1.39.

Employee security in so-called "risky" countries is also a priority. Lafarge is stepping up its protection of people and assets by:

• reinforcing security measures for site access,
• optimizing procurement and storage processes for explosives on the Group's sites.

Lafarge is not complacent about the good results it has achieved. The Group intends to develop a comprehensive health program with at least one regular medical examination for every employee worldwide.

Lafarge has first-hand experience of the ravages caused by H.I.V./Aids, particularly in the sub-Saharan countries where it operates. The Group quickly became involved in efforts to prevent and treat the illness with the support of specialized doctors and organizations such as the Care. Lafarge is also a member of the Global Business Coalition, which works to fight H.I.V./Aids.

As a result, in 2007, in sub-Saharan Africa where Lafarge employs around 6,000 people (9% of its employees):

• 90% of employees have received regular information about H.I.V.,
• 40% have participated in voluntary, anonymous screening campaigns,
• 500 people (employees, dependants and community members) have benefited from free anti-retroviral treatment.

The anti-malaria program began in 2006. In 2007, Lafarge provided malaria treatment for 17,500 people (employees, dependants, sub-contractors and community members).

By 2010, these efforts against H.I.V. and malaria will be extended to the other major developing countries where Lafarge operates.

A few examples...

In Indonesia, the Group has established a medical service for inhabitants of the village near the Lafarge site of Lhoknga P.T. S.A.I. This service, in partnership with 2 government institutions, provides medical visits and distributes drugs. On average, 120 to 160 people take advantage of these services when the clinic makes its weekly visit.

In India, Lafarge has joined other companies to set up an eye clinic at Raipur, in the state of Chattisgarh, and 3 mobile dispensaries to serve local communities.