Prevention and management of major occupational risks – The situation today

The Group's business activity requires the use of hazardous substances (solvents, flammable substances, combustible dusts, etc.). Consequently, it is essential to prevent major accidents, such as fires or explosions.

Defining Risk – The situation today

Risk is the result of exposure to a hazard. Hazards, inherent properties of an object, of a substance or of a physical situation that could provoke damages to human health and/or to the environment, do not necessarily lead to risks if exposure can be prevented or controlled. A natural or technological phenomenon is only a risk if it applies to an area where human, economic or environmental issues are at stake.

Risk is not material, it is the possibility that a dread event, of a certain seriousness, happens. For example, an earthquake in the middle of a desert is not a risk for people. However, it is a major risk in San Francisco. Risk is therefore the result of the interaction between the probability of an event and one or more factors:

probability : the possibility that an event may occur and may have an impact on the system being studied (natural or technological);
factors : people, facilities or environments threatened by a hazard and vulnerable to related damage or injury.

Carry out or contract research and studies on risk prevention: French INERIS (Institute for the Industrial Environment and Risks) (in French)
Information portal on major risks: Prevention of Major Risks (PRIM) (in French)
Maps of major technological and natural risks (in French)

Sanofi-aventis and risk management

The prevention of major risks first begins with risk assessment of our processes from the very outset of basic research. Second, it means ensuring that all establishments apply Group methods to prevent major risks in all situations, processes and projects involved in their work. And lastly, it involves using the "Hazard Vetting" method each time manufacturing or equipment is scaled up or down.

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