Questions and answers
How is risk managed and controlled?
On a daily basis in the field, for each task and each position, we identify hazards for the purpose of effective risk-management. The nature of the risk depends on the nature of the task. Our network of prevention experts is assigned to this mission in conjunction with the Prevention Directorate. At each Company establishment, all positions featuring specific risks are identified upon notice by the occupational health physician and the committees on occupational health and safety and working conditions (CHSCT); in addition, special training is provided for these positions. The list of such positions must be made available at all times to the labour inspector.
Who are our risk-prevention partners?
On a daily basis in the field, we have been collaborating for the past several years with occupational medicine specialists, France's institute for research and security (INRS), France's national institute for health and medical research (INSERM), the World Health Organization (WHO), and medical insurance boards in efforts to enhance our prevention and risk-management activities. We also take part in studies by making our worksites available to occupational health and safety studies.
What are the risks associated with bitumen?
There are two risks associated with the use of bitumen. The first risk is burning. The second risk is respiratory irritation, which may occur in enclosed spaces such as tunnels for example. In such cases, a protective mask must be worn.
What is the difference between bitumen and tar?
It is fairly easy to confuse roadwork materials since terms such as "tarmac," "tar," "asphalt" and "bitumen" are often used as synonyms for "road pavement."
Today, bitumen is an everyday material used in road construction. It is made from crude petroleum whereas tar is extracted from coal. Tar, which has not been used in road construction since the 1970s, is carcinogenic.
Unlike tar, bitumen is not a carcinogen.
What are the main occupational diseases associated with bitumen?
Bitumen is not classified as a carcinogen by the European Union, unlike tar, which is a product that has been banned in the Company and in the industry for over 30 years. To date, bitumen has not caused cancer in the workplace. Occupational diseases associated with bitumen are chronic bronchial conditions.
Have studies been carried out on bitumen and bitumen fumes?
According to in-depth epidemiological studies, including the most recent study conducted under the auspices of the World Health Organization over a 15-year period involving 80,000 subjects in 8 countries, no link has been established between exposure to bitumen and cancer.
Studies have analyzed data from thousands of subjects to determine if exposure to bitumen is associated with an above-average incidence of cancer. No evidence of increased mortality or increased incidence of cancer was found. The Netherlands removed in June 2010 bitumen from its list of potentially carcinogenic products.
