In preparation for the national debate on technological risk in our society launched by the Prime Minister, TotalFinaElf has sent a list of proposals covering five main areas to Yves Cochet, the French Environment Minister.

The September 21 explosion at the AZF plant in Toulouse and its dramatic consequences have raised numerous and legitimate questions about technological risk in our society. Independently of this national debate, and without waiting for the conclusions of the different investigations being carried out in Toulouse, TotalFinaElf immediately adopted a set of conservative measures to reinforce safety at similar sites.

The Group hopes to participate in the regional, then national debates, and in this perspective, sent a list of proposals to France’s Environment Minister for concrete improvements in five main areas. A document summarizing the Group’s initial suggestions was presented to the Minister.

The main proposals are as follows:

1 – Controlling and assessing industrial risks

In this area, the Group’s proposals mainly concern improving the sharing of experience and the reinforcement of controls. TotalFinaElf proposes the creation of a European database of Seveso-site risk evaluations as well as the examination of international best practices in this area and in particular, likely procedures. In addition, the Group proposes to submit risk studies for a qualified outside appraisal chosen by the manufacturer and approved by the public authorities. It also proposes providing more information and better knowledge to employee representatives on controlling major risks in order to optimize the effectiveness of the Health, Safety and Working Conditions Committees.

2 – Local information and dialogue

The public justifiably demands objective information on risks. Dialogue with residents near sensitive sites allows manufacturers to anticipate the community’s expectations, to make preventive measures more effective and to better explain the constraints associated with the industrial activities.

Aware of these challenges, TotalFinaElf proposes the creation of local information commissions for top-tier Seveso sites made up of representatives from employee committees and Health, Safety and Working Conditions Committees, contractors, elected officials, local associations and public authorities. Significant incidents at the site, examination of the causes and actions taken to enhance prevention would be presented to these commissions. In addition, the Group proposes annual discussions with public authorities concerning the special intervention plan (known in French as PPI), notably about informing the local population and planned emergency drills.

3 – Industrial risks and urban planning

Both manufacturers and officials in charge of urban planning need to take substantial measures to improve the way industry and cities live together. Enhanced action should be taken within the scope of land development programs and PPIs. Among other things, TotalFinaElf proposes increasing restrictions on urban development in risk areas and re-validating zones covered by PPIs. The Group emphasizes that over the long term, land development planning policy needs to focus on preserving vast industrial zones for risk activities and creating the conditions for promoting the establishment of green belts around these zones.

4 – A balanced approach protecting France’s industrial future

Eliminating an industrial site can only be a last-choice solution, often with negative economic and social consequences for the surrounding area. In certain cases, it might be preferable to look for alternative solutions, such as moving homes, businesses or public establishments.

5 – A European approach to appraisal in relation to the diversity of industrial risks

Scientific and technical specialization and the increasing complexity of subjects on one hand and the multiple technologies used at industrial sites, on the other hand, make it impossible for one appraiser to know everything. As a result, it is preferable to draw on an international skills network for assessing industrial risk. TotalFinaElf would like to see French industrial risk evaluation centers strengthened and professional career planning for risk assessors to be organized between the public sector and industry. TotalFinaElf would like systematic recourse to international expertise in analyzing accidents and evaluating risks and heightened coordination between the different national and European risk institutes.

The national roundtable on technological risk in our society will be held on December 11, in Paris. The agenda will be related to the regional roundtables being organized by France’s prefects in the second half of November. TotalFinaElf’s plant managers and the plant managers of the Group’s subsidiaries in charge of Seveso 2 sites in France hope to participate in these meetings.

The objective of these roundtables is to pave the way for improvement. TotalFinaElf will do everything possible to make a positive and constructive contribution to this important objective.