382 Leading with Safety: How Veolia Embeds Health into Global Culture

How Veolia Prioritizes Health and Safety Worldwide

At Veolia, safety isn't just a requirement—it’s embedded in the company’s core values. Leading the charge is Arnaud Valleteau de Moulliac, Chief Executive Officer of Veolia Water Technologies. In this week's episode, Arnaud speaks with Scaling UP! H2O host Trace Blackmore about how safety initiatives are reshaping Veolia's culture around the world.

Arnaud emphasizes that health and safety are non-negotiable: "It's a 24/7 commitment." This episode takes you inside Veolia’s global approach, showing how the company’s 8,000+ employees have integrated safety into their daily routines.

What Drives Veolia's Health and Safety Initiatives?

For Arnaud, safety comes from a personal place: “As a father of four, ensuring everyone gets home safely is paramount.” This family-first approach reflects Veolia’s deep commitment to safety, which has been an ongoing focus for over a decade. “Ten years ago, we launched International Health and Safety Week, where every subsidiary worldwide participates in focused discussions and actions on safety.”

This annual event creates a space for employees to assess their work environments, recognize potential risks, and form long-lasting safety habits. But at Veolia, safety isn’t just about one week—it's about creating a culture that endures year-round.

Fostering a Culture of Safety Every Day

While International Health and Safety Week serves as a focal point, Veolia’s goal is to make safety a daily priority. “We need to ensure that health and safety are part of our everyday routines, not just something we think about once a year,” Arnaud notes.

To keep safety top of mind, managers at Veolia conduct at least six field visits each year, evaluating safety practices and identifying areas for improvement. Employees are encouraged to report near-misses and incidents, creating a culture were speaking up about safety is valued.

“It’s about creating an environment where people feel safe to voice concerns without fear of judgment,” Arnaud says. “Building trust is essential.”

A Cultural Shift: Breaking Old Safety Norms

One of Veolia’s biggest achievements over the last decade has been a shift in how employees view safety. Arnaud recalls a time when raising safety concerns was often seen as a sign of weakness. Today, those conversations are welcomed and encouraged.

“There used to be this mentality of being a 'superman'—toughing it out in unsafe conditions. That’s behind us now, but we always stay cautious. The human element means we can never stop paying attention to safety,” Arnaud warns.

This shift has been a significant victory for Veolia, but the work isn’t finished. The company remains vigilant, continually adapting its safety approach to address both evolving risks and human factors.

Celebrating 10 Years of Health and Safety Transformation

As Veolia marks the 10th anniversary of International Health and Safety Week, Arnaud reflects on the company’s progress. One key success has been the reduction in workplace accidents and the increasing willingness of employees to report safety risks.

“Ten years ago, speaking up about safety could be seen as a weakness,” Arnaud explains. “Today, it’s a sign of strength and responsibility.”

This cultural change has transformed how employees view safety—not as a policy, but as a core value that protects their colleagues and ensures everyone returns home safely.

Starting a Safety Culture: Insights for Small Teams

For small businesses, building a safety culture might seem overwhelming. However, as Arnaud explains, it’s not about financial investment—it’s about leadership and intention.

“Safety starts at the top. Being an exemplary leader doesn’t cost anything. It’s about creating policies and following through. Take time to sit with your team and ask, ‘What are the risks?’ It’s an investment in people, not just resources. Any company, no matter its size, can do this,” Arnaud emphasizes.

Manager Visits: Fresh Eyes on the Ground

As part of Veolia’s commitment to safety, manager site visits provide an opportunity for leadership to spot issues that might have become invisible to regular operators. These visits aren’t just procedural—they’re a chance to bring fresh perspectives into the conversation.

“Even non-operational colleagues—those from HR or finance—ask valuable questions during these visits. Their common sense often uncovers risks that might otherwise go unnoticed. Safety is about asking the right questions, not about being an expert,” Arnaud explains.

One Key Takeaway: Lead by Example

If there’s one message Arnaud wants listeners to take away, it’s this: “Be exemplary. It starts with you.”

Veolia’s success in transforming its safety culture is a powerful reminder that leadership and continuous vigilance are the best tools for creating a safe working environment, no matter the size of the operation.

Stay Informed and Stay Safe!

As Veolia’s journey shows, building a culture of health and safety requires effort, commitment, and teamwork. Whether you are part of a large organization or a small team, Arnaud Valleteau de Moulliac’s insights offer valuable lessons for promoting safety in any workplace.

Timestamps
01:46 - Trace Blackmore thanks you for connecting at AWT last week and thanks you for the Innovation Award
07:54 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
11:13 - Interview with Arnaud Valeteau de Moulliac about his commitment to safety
40:05 - Drop by Drop with James McDonald 

Connect with Arnaud Valleteau de Moulliac
Email: arnaud.valleteau@veolia.com
Website: www.veoliawatertechnologies.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/arnaud-valleteau-de-moulliac-9b85353a/
www.linkedin.com/company/veolia-water-technologies/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VeoliaWaterTech
Read or Download Arnaud Valleteau de Moulliac’s Press Release HERE

Links Mentioned
Ep 358 Safety First: Practical Tips, Big Results in Water Treatment
Walk me through this “Safety Third” thing – Mike Rowe
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)

Drop By Drop with James 
In today’s episode, I have a “what if” for you. What if the temperature of the softener regeneration water drops in the wintertime? Now, if you’re in an area with a warmer climate year-round, you may not have to worry about this, but for those who live in colder climates, it is something to consider. How could colder water temperatures cause an issue with softener regeneration? Have you ever considered this before? The answer is that water is denser at cooler temperatures. This could be especially important during the backwash step of the softener regeneration. A proper backwash is necessary to ensure efficient softener operation. It loosens the bed, minimizes pressure drop, cleans and classifies the resin, and maintains an even water flow across the cross-sectional area of the resin bed. Backwash flow rates must be high enough to expand the bed by 50% and typically last around 10 minutes or more. If the water is denser because it is colder, the same flow rate used in the warmer months can result in expanding the resin bed even MORE, which could ultimately lead to washing good resin down the drain. Resin manufacturers often have tables that show the required flow rate based upon water temperature. A big picture look at these tables roughly shows that, in Fahrenheit, when the temperature drops to half what it was in the summer months, the required flow rate could drop to half as well. Be sure to always refer to the resin manufacturer’s specifications for actual design numbers, though. 

2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.