Over 9 months of 2002 Severstal employees had 11% fewer sick leaves with a number of days on a leave decreased by 10.5%- an 0.5% improvement over the planned figure.

An overall number of days employees took as sick leaves was lower by 68,000 as compared with the previous year. According to Georgy Shevtsov, Severstal's social affairs director, "This was achieved through the Health program, developed in the beginning of 2002 by Severstal's general director with view to decrease employee illnesses, improve quality and availability of medical services, provided by Severstal medical facilities".

The program is being implemented along several lines, including diagnostic, prophylactic and rehabilitation services. Experts of scientific and medical centers are researching work conditions and the state of employee health. Several rehabilitation programs are under way for prophylactic treatment of employees working in hazardous work environment, those with job related illnesses, often and frequently ill persons. Over ten months of 2002 over 2000 Severstal employees with muscle and bone problems, gastric-enteric problems, liver and vessel problems received treatment at Rodnik sanatorium, owned by Severstal.

Preventing epidemics is a priority task of the Severstal's Health program. To prevent employees from flue and respiratory illnesses, Severstal medical offices conduct a number of activities, including vaccinations of the company employees. Over 19,300 of Severstal employees will receive anti flue shots this year. Vaccinations will be done at Severstal's fifty medical offices, each servicing from 800 to 3000 employees.

In 2002, Severstal opened a new treatment facility and rehabilitation center. The company spends over 100 million rubles on health related activities annually.