Sustainable Technology
Sustainability
Soletanche Freyssinet commit resolutely to sustainability. This commitment includes an in-depth study of the CO2 production linked to the activities of its two main specialist areas: soils and structures. As a mark of this new direction and the commitment of its three entities (Freyssinet, Reinforced Earth and Menard), the group adopted a new motto at the beginning of 2007: “Sustainable Technology”.
Innovation
In Australia, Menard Bachy used the soil-bentonite wall technique for environmental protection purposes for the second time. This time, it was to prevent the pollution of the Hunter River on the edge of the former Newcastle steelworks in New South Wales. The 1.5 km long wall, with a depth of 15 to 45 m, was built around the edge of a 35 ha contaminated area to cancel out the hydraulic gradient between the river and the contaminated area, thereby substantially reducing the inflow of pollutants into the river.
Social Commitment to Quality, Safety & Environmental Performance
The group already has employee education programs in place throughout the world (such as the “Safety First!” scheme, campaigning against drug-addiction, holding safety seminars and regularly organizing methods training before starting work on sites). The group has now stepped up its efforts to improve risk prevention and its safety results at a local level.
In 2006, Menard Bachy, appointed a local Quality, Safety, and Environmental representative and launched a bold plan of prevention by management and planning processes. Backed by the current ISO 9001 (Quality) Certification, 2008 marks the addition of AS/NZS 4801 (Occupational Health & Safety) and AS/NZS 14001 (Environmental) Disciplines in the combined Integrated Management and Planning Processes.
