In 2004, the French federal government passed a law decentralizing some of its responsibilities to local jurisdictions. As a result, Le Loiret, a region situated South of Paris, became the employer of 1,500 government employees, and assumed control and responsibility for all roads and middle school facilities located in the area.
In order to meet the French Workplace Health & Safety standards required by law, Le Loiret needed to create a comprehensive report from which it would launch its Workplace Health & Safety strategy. Considering the unknown risks and expanded scope involved with the newly inherited employees and assets, auditing the region’s Workplace Health & Safety status and launching a proactive program was even more vital.

Without any internal Workplace Health & Safety expertise, Le Loiret called upon Bureau Veritas based on its track record working with both private companies and government organizations in this field. Moreover, Bureau Veritas offered structured work methodologies. In order to carefully assess the existing Workplace Health & Safety situation, the company built a plan which involved interviewing directors and clarifying everyone’s job description across the administrative region. The next step consisted in evaluating health and safety risks for employees.
Bureau Veritas completed 40 site inspections and created nine work groups that inventoried existing documents and procedures. The result was a comprehensive report that included a detailed risk assessment analysis. This report has enabled Le Loiret to make tangible decisions, such as targeted health and safety training for employees and the distribution of first aid kits to every facility under its responsibility.

By working with Bureau Veritas, Le Loiret has acquired enough internal Workplace Health &Safety experience and expertise to work more independently on their long-term initiative. The project has led to fewer work-related accidents, prepared Le Loiret to treat any future incidents with speed and agility,and establish action plans to prevent reoccurrences. Now Le Loiret has one of France’s most cutting-edge Workplace Health & Safety programs, and is ultimately a better place to live and work.