safety

As a result of a sustained awareness campaign, the concept of safety is now firmly entrenched in people’s minds. To bolster the existing system (the «Safety First!» process, the Vigiroute plan, non-negotiable provisions, etc.), in 2005 the Group embarked on a campaign for the prevention of the risks linked to the consumption of drugs and alcohol in the workplace. Posters on the theme giving the number of a drug support helpline were distributed to all subsidiaries in France.
Worldwide, other action worthy of mention includes Turkish subsidiary Freysas’ production of a safety information manual and employee training. In Belgium and the Netherlands, all staff and management took VCA safety certification courses. In Belgium, a working group was also set up to prepare the office for certification in accordance with the VCA and ISO standards.
In France, Freyssinet’s South Eastern regional office received certification from the Etang de Berre office of the MASE (a national organisation for the improvement of industrial health and safety) for one year in September, and UIC (chemical industries union) approval for three years in October, as part of a reference system relating to the organisation of safety by companies habitually involved in construction, maintenance and logistics at establishments classified as «upper tier» pursuant to the Seveso Directive.
Freyssinet France has been working on simplifying its safety data sheets, which are required to be delivered together with every product used on site. The sheets are produced in conjunction with the Bouches-du-Rhône occupational medicine department and summarise the precautions to be taken when handling the products visually on a single page. Emphasis is also constantly placed on the obligatory wearing of personal protection equipment (PPE), the precautions to take with regard to the environment and respiratory protection when handling certain products. In the United States, DGI-Menard organised a number of safety training sessions for personnel in the field, and in particular 40-hour hazmat training focusing on hazardous materials given by the occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the government health and safety body. Finally, in South Africa, eight out of thirteen employees attended a certified first aid course; the rest of the team should receive the training during 2006.

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