For cause the cindynique thinking is emerging in France

A small test, the air of nothing: what is the "risk" The word which sounds Greek (1), leaving a large majority of speechless interlocutors and open-mouthed. For cause, the "cindynique thinking" is emerging in France. Yet, it is a capital area and inexhaustible scientific project: the science of the danger. A question which is now at the origin of the opening of "industrial security" Chair at the school of mines with seven partners (see keyboard) from the business world, in the broad sense, and in association with the foundation of industries mineral, mining and metallurgical French.

Chair, opened today in the presence of François Loos, Minister delegate for industry, has three objectives: establish an education on the risks and crises; conduct a research program at the crossroads, on the one hand, the science of engineering and the sciences humaines et sociales; Finally, to promote synergies with industrial partners. Is it to avoid disasters of Bhopal or AZF type as likely to occur on a site or an oil site hazards "It is to better understand the natures of failures that lead to accidents." "Today, more than 50 of the causes of accidents are the result of organizational failures and 10 are related to human errors," said Franck Guarnieri, Director of the pole risk of Ecole des mines of Paris and at the origin of the creation of the new industrial Chair. And this random, multidisciplinary and proactive approach, a growing number of companies in an effort to integrate the control of the risks in their projects of management.

"The important thing for us, is to develop as soon as possible the Executive engineers a culture of safety", prevents Denis Duval, responsible for the management of risk in the holding company of the Group Total industrial safety management. "The master of the sinistralités is favourable to the business of insurance," explains Alain Petit, Director prevention engineering to AGF (Allianz Group). "This avoids the destruction of value and, above all, slows down offshoring to emerging countries, because the temptation is strong for companies to redeploy elsewhere instead of rebuilding an implementation disaster," continued.

For the AGF, whose analysis and risk assessment experience is long, join the school of mines is the best way to keep a step ahead of the competition. "What interests us most, to develop new methods of assessment risks and learn how to better assess the human behavior in accidental situation", says Alain Petit.

"The Ecole des mines of Paris created a research laboratory of"Science and engineering of activities risk"since 1998.". "This theme was hardly taught and little development in French research, unlike countries such as Britain and the United States", said Franck Guarnieri.

Sharing of experiences

Industrial safety are, in fact, recent and few. "Fifteen years ago, could hardly be counted on to OTC health and safety and the national Centre for prevention and protection (NCPCS).". "Five to ten years ago, things change with quality training developed the Ensi of Bourges and the ISTG in Grenoble, including", said Alain Petit. More and more creations of chairs are designed to involve management in research and high technology. School of commerce (HEC, Essec, Science-Po, IAE Toulouse) and engineers (X, Ecole des mines, ENST, etc) are increasing these initiatives, very rewarding in terms of image. As funds provided by the companies support researchers who can then take the time to research and academic publications.

The scientific work of the new Chair of the school of mines should therefore find a large echo on the ground, since the design, conduct, or maintenance of industrial facilities in the development of new products or services through the conduct of territorial development projects. "Chair is part of the continuity of the objectives of the Institute for a culture of industrial safety, created in 2004 and whose Total as the school of mines and many others are also members," notes Denis Duval.

In addition to leading scientific information access, 7 partners also emphasize the sharing of experiences. This common Chair will provide a global vision of the prevention of risks, which will enable them to better capture the common or conflicting issues, and better understand different land. "Outside researchers teachers of the Ecole des mines of Paris, the Chair Steering Group brings together different and complementary profiles: Total, Mittal-Arcelor, Apave and AGF are participate of the business while at GDF, SNCF and the Ineris, we rather case scientists", note Franck Guarnieri.

Of course, all this has a cost: EUR 2 million co-funded equally by school and partners. "It is a financial effort on our part," acknowledged Jean - Rémi Guz, Managing Director of Apave group. "And we expect the benefits". Including in the field of the management Council, which represents 6 of the turnover of Apave against 60 for the inspection activity. "Research in the field of engineering risk management can bring one closer to our customers, in terms of methodology and pedagogy," explains Jean-Rémi Guz.

On the merits, finally, the Ecole des mines and entities partners agreed on the principle of anglo-saxon type Chair. "We have recruited a world-class researcher, Professor Erik Hollnagel." "We maintain our independence both for the recruitment of the team for the definition and implementation of our science policy", said Franck Guarnieri. Professor Hollnagel, to work for six months, is based on an independent team composed of 2 assistants doctoral students and 6 students. "And we have launched this year three theses," says Franck Guarnieri. Theses focusing on various themes: how to measure the health and safety performance at work With what indicators and management system How to reconcile economic strategy in the long term with industrial safety requirements And how to enable a business rugged to return to a normal situation A long-term program.