See in 1.4.1.1.2.1 “Handling of stress corrosion detected on the auxiliary circuits of a number of nuclear reactors”.
Hydropower safety aims to limit risks of structural failure, risks relating to the operation of facilities during times of flooding, as well as watercourse flow variations during operation. The hydropower safety policy aims for a high level of safety and continuous improvement. For developments related to hydraulic safety, refer to Section 1.4.1.3.1.3 “Hydropower safety”.
In an environment that is undergoing rapid, far reaching changes, the human aspect is a core component of the CAP 2030 strategic plan. To tackle the industrial and commercial challenges it faces, the Group must remain a socially responsible and committed employer and a benchmark in terms of health.
The Group’s health and safety policy, adopted in April 2018, was updated in April 2021.
The Group strives to set an example in the area of Health and Safety. The policy is based on a commitment signed jointly by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and all members of the Executive Committee. The policy defines a consistent framework and all policies and action plans of the Group’s different subsidiaries must comply with the policy. This Group policy applies to all the companies controlled by the EDF group, in all the countries in which EDF operates. It concerns both its employees and subcontractors.
The priorities of the policy are primarily to eradicate serious and fatal accidents, and secondarily to reduce the number of accidents and to curb absence. The policy aims to anchor throughout the Group the foundation formed by the Group’s key rules and the BEST health and safety management reference framework, enhanced with new practices. This policy is accompanied by a roadmap that mobilises the Group’s entities to achieve the objectives set.
The Executive Committee reviews health and safety figures and monitors action plans regularly. A strategic Committee steers the deployment of the policy.
The Group focused its commitment on the 10 key rules, identified on the basis of an analysis of the fatal accidents that have befallen the EDF group over the past 30 years.
The Group entities regularly conduct self-assessment of their health and safety management systems based on the BEST reference framework. In October 2022, the Strategy Committee on Health and Safety conducted a specific assessment in the area of Health and Safety requirements governing relations with service providers, which pinpointed the progress achieved by the entities (featuring strong progress in categorising service providers and suppliers from the standpoint of level of risks). In particular, this review led to an action plan for thoroughly integrating health and safety in the procurement approach (see also section 3.4.2.3.2.4 “Responsible procurement process”)
The proportion of employees belonging to entities having a certified management system (ISO 45011, MASE or VCA) was stable at 35.4% at end 2022, as against 35.2% at end 2021.
This figure is published on the edf.fr website and on those of the certified entities.
When safety conditions related to key rules are not met, a “NoGo” must be activated to correct the situation before starting. In the same way, when unforeseen circumstances no longer allow the safety rules to be respected, a “safety STOP” should be marked. A pause was observed throughout the Group on 13 October 2021 for each work team to discuss how to adapt the new policy to their own situation and ensure its adoption.
In order to ensure the continuous improvement loop, and to maintain risk awareness, High-Potential Events (HPE) are collected, analysed, and shared throughout the Group. 72% of these HPEs are near-misses or dangerous situations. Particular emphasis is placed on those related to the Group’s 10 key rules.
In 2022 the safety criterion of the EDF profit-sharing agreement focused on developing analyses of accidents involving halting, and reducing the number of HPE-classified accidents with or without halting.
Audits are carried out each year throughout the Group, in particular in the form of site visits. These visits are written up in a site visit report shared locally with the audited teams.
See also section 3.9.1, “The EDF group’s CSR commitment and its duty of vigilance framework” relating to its commitments and requirements with respect to the environment, human rights, health and safety.
