VINCI has implemented a framework agreement for use in the approval process for temporary employment agencies, incorporating health and safety criteria. For example, agencies must disclose their health and safety data and demonstrate an established safety culture, such as a safety training program for workers. It is compulsory for Group entities to use approved agencies to recruit their temporary workers. Agency-specific action plans have been developed as needed, on a case-by-case basis, and include measures to better protect the safety of temporary workers. These include worker surveys, reporting on the outcomes of prevention initiatives, company-led awareness and training events and improved recording of workers’ safety documents (such as the Carte BTP – a professional identification card for construction site workers). In France, temporary workers who successfully complete a two-day safety training session and assessment can obtain a safety passport called Pasi. The passport demonstrates acquisition of the safety fundamentals that every worker must understand before starting work on a construction site. VINCI Construction France initially created the Pasi after observing a higher frequency of accidents among temporary than permanent staff, and now the Pasi is used throughout the industry.
23%
of temporary employment agencies did not meet the Group’s ESG criteria during the latest approval process
Safety audits carried out by VINCI’s network of health and safety specialists are foundational to its health and safety policy. These experts, along with the health and safety departments of business lines and divisions, plan and conduct safety audits at operating sites and worksites controlled by Group companies. They also share and analyse results, monitor trends and tailor the actions taken to their operations. Business lines and divisions use common tools to facilitate the reporting, consolidating and sharing of information, especially audit results. The Group is also expanding cross auditing among its various companies. Since the established procedures at a construction or operating site make no distinction between employees of Group companies, subcontractors and temporary workers, audits apply to the entire site and all staff at the site. In addition to the business line and division level, risk management systems are also in place at project and site level to ensure that those measures relating to health and safety are effectively applied. Any nonconformity is followed up until it is corrected.
As an example of these audit systems in business lines and divisions, VINCI Construction Grands Projets has a dedicated audit unit within its Quality, Safety, Environment and Information Systems Department (DQSE-I). Its management committee sets an audit schedule each year, based on operational priorities and risks. VINCI Construction Grands Projets’ head office audits each project every two years, to ensure that its management system fully complies with safety requirements. These requirements reflect applicable standards (such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001), guidelines applied by VINCI, VINCI Construction and VINCI Construction Grands Projets’ head office, as well as a project’s specific contractual requirements (as defined by the safety plan, environment plan, quality plan, process map, requirements of partners and other interested parties, laws and regulations in force, local standards, etc.). ISO 9001, which is a core standard for audits, also covers all aspects relating to the management, selection, monitoring and assessment of subcontractors. Upon completion of an audit, observations are shared with the heads of the relevant project and the audit report is sent to management at every level, including the general management of VINCI Construction Grands Projets. Once the audit report is received, the entity suggests actions to remedy any issues. Project managers and the audit unit share responsibility for monitoring the action plan: in general, the project’s QSE manager informs the auditor when a measure is implemented and provides evidence of its achievement. Periodic updates on progress, supporting documentation and trends are also provided. In 2021, 22 audits were conducted, compared with 16 the previous year.
As well as these internal audit systems, audit procedures relating to health and safety at Group entities may also involve obtaining certifications, creating a need for external audits. Every regional division and the head office of VINCI Construction France is ISO 45001 certified (Occupational Health and Safety Management System). The three VINCI Autoroutes concession companies with operations activities are also all ISO 45001 certified. Following Cofiroute’s certification in April 2019, ASF and Escota completed the certification process in 2021. The audits required to maintain certification provide opportunities to periodically assess the quality and maturity of various aspects and to identify strengths, opportunities for improvement and any nonconformities. The aspects covered include company policy, leadership and management engagement, employee participation, training and awareness, work preparation and organisation; management of materials, equipment and products, risk prevention for external companies, regulatory compliance and accident management. These audits are followed internally by operational reviews in regions and a central management review, at which times corrective actions are determined and new objectives set.
