CONTROLLING CONSUMPTION

ELECTRIC POWER CONSUMPTION

Site activity consumes considerable electric power, used primarily by the various plant processes but also to ventilate, heat and light the plant’s offices.  Electric power consumption increased in 2009.

WATER CONSUMPTION

Water is used for both domestic consumption (toilets, showers) and for industrial processes, the majority of which is by means of closed circuits. The drop in water consumption in 2009 is primarily due to raising the awareness of personnel regarding the need to save water.

In regard to research and environmental impact, Paimboeuf is currently working with ARETZIA, a company specialized in wastewater treatment. The purpose of the investigation is to find a way to reuse the process water following treatment by reverse osmosis, a water purification system which consists of very fine filtration that retains matter in solution and only allows the passage of water molecules.

NITRIC ACID CONSUMPTION

Nitric acid is used in the plant’s tube pickling/stripping baths. Cezus Paimboeuf has built an acid regeneration station to recycles these baths; the consumption of nitric acid has stabilized at the plant in consequence.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Improvement in waste sorting has resulted in a decrease in the quantity of ordinary industrial waste. This waste can be assimilated with household refuse because it is inert and does not contain toxic materials. Such waste primarily comprises paper, wood, cardboard, plastic and scrap iron.

Special industrial waste is specific to the Paimboeuf plant processes. This waste is subject to precise processes for disposal, in compliance with regulations: evaporation, incineration, detoxification and storage at a Centre Déchets d’Enfouissement Technique (official center for buried waste)

Over the years, the actions carried out to improve acid regeneration and evaporator operation have led to a significant drop in the quantity of waste produced.

RISK MANAGEMENT AND PREVENTION

The Paimboeuf plant has identified its major risks and has set up the means for stopping and managing emergency situations.

Each emergency action plan drawn up primarily defines the roles and responsibilities of each employee, the procedure to follow and the means to be implemented to handle the situation. All plant employees are trained in basic fire extinguishing techniques in regard to fire hazards. The pyrophoric fire hazard inherent in zirconium machining activities remains a major concern for the teams at Paimboeuf.

In 2009, CEZUS Paimboeuf completely stopped the burning of zirconium fines and shavings on site. The plant has found an industrial partner specialized in the incineration of zirconium residues, as well as the means for their transport. This operation will be completely effective end 2010.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Within the framework of monitoring the plant’s ISO 14001 certification, SGS, an outside consultant, audited the Paimboeuf facility in 2009. The purpose of this audit was to validate the effective environmental management of the site and to monitor the initiatives being deployed to obtain ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS18001 certification.

HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE

The Zirconium Division of AREVA has implemented its accident prevention policy in the workplace in the form of a "HSE first" procedure (for Health, Safety, Environment). The first phase comprises identifying the points where improvements can be made in the fields of Health, Safety and the Environment at each site. This audit allowed for setting up action plans to improve workstation ergonomics, protections and behavior in confronting risks.

2009 witnessed the completion of the sandblaster reorganization operation, which has resulted in a major improvement in workplace air quality and in workstation ergonomics. Similarly, the rolling workshop was equipped with an industrial robot at the end of one of the pilger rolling mills to help eliminate the risk of musculoskeletal troubles (MST).

CAPABILITY BUILDING AND CAREER MANAGEMENT

354 employees in all benefited from over 8400 hours of training at the Cezus Paimboeuf plant in 2009.

For the past two years, three of AREVA’s Zirconium Division tube line facilities - Paimboeuf, Montreuil-Juigné and Duisburg – have been engaged in identifying key capabilities. The goal is to replace employees who are retiring and those on assignment elsewhere and thus to anticipate the transfer of capabilities. This was first carried out for executives and technicians ensuring technical functions, and has now been extended to cover the entire workforce.

Paimboeuf took on 27 interns and 9 trainees alternating between school and the workplace in 2009.