Safety
The AZF disaster in Toulouse was extremely painful for all those directly affected, but also for all the personnel in the Group. Inasmuch as the cause of the explosion is still unknown, we have worked systematically ever since to strengthen technological risk prevention in every area.
After participating in the debate resulting in the French Act of 30 July 2003 on technological risk prevention, we are now implementing the various measures on our sites.
Preventing technological risks
Since the disaster, progress has been made in the debate over controlling urban expansion around industrial sites. An Act “relative to the prevention of technological and natural risks and the reparation of damages” was voted in France on 30 July 2003. It concerned, in particular, the control of urban expansion in the vicinity of industrial sites and how to handle cases of problematic cohabitation.
The Feyzin refinery, a pilot Technological Risk Prevention Plan facility.
© Marco Dufour Zoom in
The French Act of 30 July 2003 created the “Technological Risk Prevention Plans” (PPRT), which, after widespread consultation of all the parties concerned, defined the limits on urban expansion in the vicinity of factories, particularly areas subject to expropriation, pre-emption or abandonment. Total has played an active role in leading this innovative approach with the authorities at 3 sites in France: the refinery in Feyzin, the tank farm in Lorient and the GPN plant in Mazingarbe.
Technological Risk Prevention Plans involve a highly detailed procedure. First, a risk assessment report is submitted, followed by any additional studies requested by the administration after examining the initial report. The company must then wait for official notification that its file is complete from the administration, which subsequently approves the PPRT.
Thus, in 2008, of the 420 PPRTs to be implemented, only 200 were launched, of which forty were officially completed and four ultimately approved. As regards Total, of the 62 PPRTs to be implemented, 9 were officially completed and 1 approved on 30 October 2008.
The Group’s Industrial Safety department strengthened these legislative measures in 2004 by adopting a unique internal risk analysis methodology across all businesses and countries.
The creation of the ICSI (Institute for a Culture of Industrial Safety)
The ICSI was one of the commitments made by Thierry Desmarest, the Chairman and CEO of the Total Group, when he officially announced the decision to close the AZF site in April 2002.
Total, together with Airbus, Arcelor, EDF, the CNRS, Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, the Midi-Pyrénées Regional Council and the Urban Community of Greater Toulouse, founded the not-for-profit association, dedicated to university training and continuing education, technological research and communication regarding industrial and environmental safety.
Located on the campus of the Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse, the ISCI opened in 2003, funded in part by Total (6 million euros). It moved into new buildings in 2008.
This creation exemplifies the Group’s determination to help improve the safety of industrial processes and strengthen dialogue with local residents.
Questions & Answers
Find out the Questions and Answers on the AZF Trial.
Video
Publications
"The AZF Trial"