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 Sécofab, in Sarralbe, has resolved its ventilation problem |
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Hall F workers breathe again
The problem had been brewing since 2003, and the labour inspectorate had notified the enterprise of the need for upgrades to meet standards. Sécofab, in Sarralbe, has resolved its ventilation problem in Hall F, and is now looking to the future.
The Secofab employees of Hall F had been waiting for this moment since 2003. The enterprise, based in Sarralbe and now part of the Sotralentz group, had even been notified by the employment inspectorate of the need for upgrades to meet standards. At issue was a ventilation problem in the factory, due to the large amount of welding and flame-cutting work carried out there. Over €50,000 of investment was required, and an available service provider had to be found. This has now been accomplished, thanks to SIH, a neighbouring firm which carried out the work.
Ventilation above required standards
Frédérik Schlesser, Secretary of the Works Council (CE) and the Health and Safety Committee (CHSCT), and Anne Finck, Director of Administration, Finance and Human Resources, have good reason to be satisfied. Formerly, employees working in this part of the factory were in an enclosed environment. Today, we have five vents in the roof and ventilators on the sides, explains the trade union representative. Previously, we only ventilated the area when really necessary, whereas now there is constant air circulation. The system is controlled automatically. If it rains, the vents on the roof close over, but those on the sides remain open to ensure continued ventilation. Working conditions have vastly improved. When it took over the enterprise, a little over a year ago, Sotralentz committed itself to addressing this problem, as did the previous management recalls Frédéric Schlesser. This new ventilation system meets applicable standards, and in fact goes even further. It has a ventilation capacity of 93,000 m3, whereas the standards require a minimum of 70,000 m3.
Insulation required in Hall E
Anne Finck strikes a note of pragmatism: This represented a major investment, in an enterprise which at the time had other needs too. A new reaming machine has been installed to enable the enterprise to meet significant customer demand. And the enterprise’s customers are not involved in small projects. Huge parts were to be made for the largest cranes on tracks or wheels in the world. We are going to purchase a digitally-controlled machine which also requires major investment, particularly because of the solid foundations needed, of around 6 by 12 metres.
The CHSCT also brings up the issue of insulation in Hall E. During the winter period, it can be around 5° in the hall… The investment required there is estimated at around €400,000, and it is not a priority for the moment.
Employees wanted…
The enterprise is receiving a large number of contracts. One of these concerns the production of six sections of a bridge for pedestrians and cyclists being constructed on Boulevard Masséna in Paris.
It’s a prototype…, says Anne Finck, cautiously. Nevertheless, one single section represents four parts of twenty metres in length. We’re having trouble getting new recruits, affirms Anne Finck. This concerns not just digital control operators, who obviously need to be highly skilled in that specific area, but also our core workforce, machining, welding and boilermaking. This is all the more striking, since training can be provided in the workplace, although this needs to evolve, since it takes up a lot of our tutors' time.
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