The Orano Tricastin industrial platform, located in the Drôme and Vaucluse Departments, encompasses all chemical (conversion, defluorination and denitration) and uranium enrichment activities. These activities precede the final stage of fuel assembly fabrication for nuclear power plant reactors across the world.
The highest standard of nuclear and occupational safety
A strong commitment to safety
The very considerable investment in renewing its facilities has enabled Orano Tricastin to consolidate the nuclear safety of its operations. Both the new conversion and enrichment plants and the new industrial workshops meet the most demanding standards, enabling Orano to strengthen the security of supply to its customers.
The French Nuclear Safety Authority (Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire - ASN) carries out an average of one nuclear-safety inspection per week.
Dedicated operational capability equivalent to that for a town of 100,000 people
The Orano Tricastin site has specialized equipment and human operational capability, including over 500 people trained in nuclear and operational safety. Orano Tricastin also relies on a dedicated team of 140 staff working in nuclear safety, protection and intervention. They are all trained in techniques to prevent and counter fire, chemical and radiological risks, in the protection of people and in the physical protection of the site.
A number of different types of exercise are organized each year to test and validate the Internal Emergency Plan (Plan d’Urgence Interne - PUI). Some PUIs are planned with the essential support of local players: the fire service, police (national gendarmerie), and local authorities, etc.
The establishment also has agreements with the Departmental Fire and Emergency Services (SDIS) in the Drôme and Vaucluse. Safety exercises are carried out several times a year in conjunction with the fire service and the national gendarmerie.
The establishment also has agreements with the Departmental Fire and Emergency Services (SDIS) in the Drôme and Vaucluse. Safety exercises are carried out several times a year in conjunction with the fire service and the national gendarmerie.
Did you know? Almost 100 employees at the site are also voluntary fire-fighters in stations around Tricastin
Substantial specialized equipment
Fire trucks; ambulances; special vehicles customized for the site’s particular risks; and other resources for physical protection.
Fire trucks; ambulances; special vehicles customized for the site’s particular risks; and other resources for physical protection.
A new building dedicated to crisis management
The crisis-management building (in line with the post-Fukushima requirements) has been operational since September 2016. It allows the teams to manage a crisis entirely autonomously, irrespective of its size or gravity. The premises are equipped with special ventilation and an independent power supply, in case the main grid fails.
48h
the time the crisis-management building can remain autonomous, allowing the teams to manage the crisis
- Malvési The Orano Malvési plant is responsible for the first phase of conversion purifying the natural uranium ore from the mines into uranium tetrafluoride (UF4).
- International expert in uranium processing Orano is a world leader in uranium conversion and enrichment, key steps in the development of nuclear fuel.