Safety is our greatest asset

It is one of our six core values: security. Our greatest asset, as we say at SealteQ. Because without a safe working environment, our subject matter experts cannot perform their work. They are our most important capital and we want to protect it. But what exactly do we do when it comes to safety? John Stenekes, our safety expert, explains.

Safety: an important core value

To add to this core value:

The work we do at SealteQ is people work, Stenekes says. Our professionals work with materials that can be harmful if used incorrectly. ”To ensure their health and safety, we ensure compliance with the rules and provide guidance, instruction and support.” In this way, we are constantly learning from each other and becoming even better, because everyone – our specialists, our partners and our clients – is responsible for safety.

We obviously comply with all applicable legislation and certification: ISO14001, ISO9001, the CO2 ladder and VCA. ”But more importantly,” says our safety manager, ”our colleagues, above all, must go home in good health in the evening. They are our capital.” And we do that together.

Safety always comes first

Moreover, SealteQ works for clients and with partners on projects where meeting security requirements is – rightly so – an inescapable standard. A standard that fits seamlessly with the values we consider important.

”The market demands – as do we – safe and environmentally friendly work, so that people are basically working in a safe way and the work does not harm the environment. So we make sure that the certificates that show that SealteQ works safely for people and the environment are in order at all times,” Stenekes says. Audits are part of that. Both internally, which we perform ourselves, and externally, for which we engage certified, independent experts.

In addition, Stenekes regularly joins SealteQ’s clients as an expert. He advises them on choices in the field of safety and execution. The work we do is manual and therefore often heavy. That requires a good safety plan.” Moreover, we very actively test innovative tools and aids to make the work easier. An exoskeleton, for example.

”We are in constant contact with partners and clients to indicate what the preconditions are for performing the work well and safely for our employees and the environment,” Stenekes says.

Continuing education of subject matter experts

In a company of nearly 250 employees, how do you keep everyone up to date with the latest safety guidelines? And how do you ensure that all the processes in the work in which safety plays a role remain streamlined? That too is part of the role of our safety manager. Stenekes: ,,We try to make sure that we have the knowledge needed to work safely. And that the conditions created in orders are carried out.”

Legally, we are required to regularly educate our employees about the safety requirements for their work. We do this through our own employee app. All SealteQ employees – from our warehouse workers to our management – have access to our employee app at all times. We developed our own toolboxes, in which every month a topic is addressed that has to do with safety, health and the environment, among other things. ”Airy and practical, with professional tools that everyone can go through at their own pace,” Stenekes says. A questionnaire follows at the end.

Not only people doing the work, but also management and project leaders are up to date with the latest developments at SealteQ. For them too, they have to go through the toolbox properly every month. That’s how we keep each other on our toes, says our safety manager. ,,We try not to point fingers, but to create awareness and especially to keep learning from and with each other.” Because safety is our greatest asset. This is how we keep everyone healthy together.