At Equans Data Centers, Health and Safety constitutes more than a mere policy; it serves as the fundamental principle underlying all of our operations. In the process of designing and constructing a new hyperscale data center facility in Paris, our dedication to health and safety is significantly influencing our methods of project execution. With an average of 120 professionals present on-site each day and the project currently at the cladding stage of the building envelope, it is imperative to uphold a proactive and responsive safety culture.
Our achievement of 200,000 accident-free work hours is indicative of our commitment to leadership in safety management. This accomplishment reflects not only our adherence to established processes and procedures but also a proactive approach that leverages real-time feedback, prompt interventions, and collaborative efforts among design and delivery teams.
Safety in action: Lessons from the Paris data center project
Data center construction sites represent dynamic environments, where the transition from structural activities to cladding introduces new risk factors. Below are the measures we are implementing to ensure safety remains a fundamental priority in our operations.
- High-risk activities
It is essential to identify and assess all high-risk activities before starting work. Each activity must have a documented and approved method statement outlining the necessary safety measures and procedures. Project managers play a key role in ensuring that the agreed-upon working instructions are relevant and remain effective.
- Implementation of frontline Safety Observations Cards
Our operational design and build teams submit safety observation cards daily basis, highlighting any potential risks prior to their escalation.
- Timely actions and employee feedback
Safety represents a collaborative dialogue. In response to concerns raised by our team, we did not simply enforce a predetermined solution; rather, we engaged with them to identify the safest and most practical approach. In partnership with our safety experts, we conduct tests on various access methods to ensure compliance without hindering productivity.
- Collaborating for safer working practices
Negotiating safe working methods involves not merely imposing regulations but rather identifying solutions understood by all stakeholders. In this project, this approach entailed:
- Conduct daily briefings with operational teams to implement safety measures in real-time.
- Collaborate closely with specialised supply chain partners to ensure alignment with best practices.
- Foster a culture in which every individual is empowered to halt work if unsafe conditions arise.
“ Achieving 200,000 accident-free hours is a significant milestone, and it speaks volumes about the shared commitment of everyone involved. I want to thank my teams on-site and all our supply chain partners for their continued focus and collaboration. Together, we’ve created an environment where safety is part of how we plan, communicate, and deliver the Paris project every single day. This achievement is a testament to what can be accomplished when we work with care, consistency, and respect for one another. ”
Building for the future, safely
Health and safety extend beyond merely avoiding accidents; they encompass the creation of an environment in which all individuals can return home safely each day. We take great pride in achieving a milestone of 200,000 safe work hours on the Paris data center project, which stands as a testament to our teams' dedication, our leadership within the data center sector, and our capacity to adapt, listen, and respond effectively.
Delivering a data center on schedule, aligning with the client specifications, and to the highest quality commences with the fundamental principle of prioritising safety.