1.4.1 Human rights
VINCI companies have strong roots in the regions where they operate; these areas have very different labour standards. The companies must also meet international standards of human rights: the UN Global Compact, which VINCI signed in 2003; the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; and the fundamental ILO conventions.
Group companies ensure that they uphold human rights in their operations and place great importance on their employees’ working conditions, on those of their subcontractors and on respect for local communities. They remain exposed to allegations brought or controversies raised by human rights organisations and other NGOs, local communities and residents, international organisations and institutions, or financial institutions. These can affect the Group’s image.
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Risk management procedures |
Risk identification
- Risks inherent to the nature of construction activities: labour-intensive, cyclical character and multiplicity of participants in the value chain (subcontractors, temporary staff)
- Lack of personnel training and/or clear guidelines, non-compliance with Group rules –Expropriation of local populations by public stakeholders
Possible consequences:
- Deterioration in relationships with stakeholders
- Legal proceedings and potential conflicts with employee representative bodies, human rights organisations and other NGOs
- Impact on VINCI’s credibility with investors and international organisations
- Damage to the Group’s reputation that may affect assessments by specialised agencies
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Risk management procedures
- Developing and disseminating VINCI’s Guide on Human Rights (https://www.vinci. com/publi/manifeste/vinci-guide_on_human_rights-en.pdf), identifying Group-level risks and the related guidelines in favour of human rights
- Identifying potential sources of project controversy and risks incurred in the region
- Implementing the appropriate legal, management and coordination tools (clauses for subcontractors, election of employee representatives, dialogue with local communities, etc.)
- Evaluating human rights in subsidiaries
- Implementing training and raising awareness among managers and their team members
- Taking part in sectoral and collaborative human rights initiatives
- Audits of subsidiaries and projects to ensure compliance with VINCI’s general guidelines and its Guide on Human Rights
- Support provided to subsidiaries in auditing and selecting temporary employment agencies
- Legal actions against unfair reputational attacks
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1.4.2 Health, safety and security of employees and subcontractors
Health and safety
Employees of VINCI companies and subcontracting companies are required to work on the often complex projects and operations that the Group carries out. This can have an impact on their health, safety, hygiene and quality of life in the workplace. The health and safety coordinators of the Group’s business lines have identified several major risks.
In case of accident or near miss, the affected company’s business can be slowed considerably, and appropriate corrective measures must be implemented before it can be restarted.
Security
Given the large number of countries where the Group operates, some activities may be affected by social or political instability manifested in various forms (terrorism, armed conflict, embargo, seizure of bank accounts or equipment, etc.), as well as malicious acts such as vandalism and theft on construction sites, or more serious criminal acts such as physical attacks or kidnapping. VINCI is constantly monitoring and evaluating the international geopolitical situation so as to adapt safety measures to the evolving risk environment. Crisis management procedures complement this evaluation process.
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Risk management procedures |
| Risk identification
Health and safety
Given the complexity and increasing constraints imposed on worksites, the major identified risks are related to:
- moving objects (equipment, vehicles);
- falling objects;
- working at height;
- electrical equipment;
- handheld mechanical tools;
- traffic risks;
- health crises (epidemics or pandemics);
- consumption of alcohol and illicit substances.
Possible consequences:
- Deterioration in health and safety conditions for employees and subcontractors
- Longer lead times due to work stoppages and business operating losses
- Damage to the Group’s reputation
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Risk management procedures
- Analysing risks as far upstream as possible and at the start of operations
- Supplying appropriate personal protective equipment
- Implementing prevention, protection and operating procedures deriving from the evaluation of risks (markers, guardrails, stairways, etc.)
- Performing dedicated audits and obtaining certifications (OHSAS, ISO 45001)
- Organising training and awareness-raising events
- Implementing reporting tools, in particular digital tools
- Creating partnerships with outside organisations such as France’s Institute for an Industrial Safety Culture (ICSI)
- Including dedicated clauses in contracts with subcontractors
- Implementing remote working solutions for employees whose physical presence is not required
- Adhering to public health guidelines implemented by local authorities, such as the guide put out by the French Professional Agency for Risk Prevention in Building and Civil Engineering (OPPBTP)
- Raising awareness among employees about the dangers of consuming alcohol and illicit substances and testing at worksites
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Security
The local geopolitical context is linked to the economic, social and political issues present in the region, influencing the security conditions of employees and subcontractors.
Possible consequences:
- Deterioration in security conditions for employees
- Threat to business continuity with potential contractual consequences
- Risk of terrorist attacks (destruction of property, kidnapping of employees, etc.)
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Risk management procedures
- Constant surveillance of geopolitical and security-related issues and dissemination of information about evolving risks to Group companies and projects
- Factoring the specific security measures required to protect individuals and ensure that projects run smoothly into overall cost estimates
- Detailed analysis during VINCI Risk Committee meetings before acceptance of contracts in moderate- or high-risk countries
- Implementation of solutions to protect individuals and property, adapted to the local context in moderate- or high-risk areas (staff drivers, site access protection, security services, etc.)
- Awareness programmes for travelling employees and expatriates and monitoring of employees’ foreign travel via a dedicated platform
- Audits and special protection plans
- Discussions with customers regarding the terms for partial or total shutdown of operations in the event of weakened security
- Crisis management measures
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