The theme of safety is not always top of mind in all these phases. That's a shame, according to INNOCY's safety experts. Because by including safety at an early stage, you avoid having to apply plasters in the implementation or maintenance phase.
A good example of a project where safety is top of mind is the widening of the A20. "At INNOCY, we are involved in the design phase," says Midas Luijer, safety expert at INNOCY. "Our job is to think along with safety glasses about the choices that are made in the design and what impact that has on later phases. But also, is the choice safe to maintain and safe for the (road) user and the environment? By thinking about safety at the earliest possible stage, the impact you can make is much greater. Subsequently, we are also the party that monitors during the implementation phase whether occupational and construction safety is properly arranged and whether the agreements made in the field of safety are complied with."
Labour Inspectorate
Another example where INNOCY's safety expertise is used is in flood risk management tasks. "As part of the reinforcement task, we advise water boards on how they can best fulfil their legal responsibilities," Midas explains. "The Working Conditions Act describes very clearly what you have to set up as a client. This includes the H&S plan with all the safety risks of the project, but also about the BTO choices you make (architectural, technical and organisational choices, ed.) and have to justify if they have an impact on health and safety. Suppose an incident happens and you have not properly justified a certain design choice, then this is considered a shortcoming and you as a client can be reprimanded by the Dutch Labour Inspectorate. On the one hand, we look at what is required, but on the other hand, we also work on increasing the safety culture in project teams, are alert to signals and dare to ask questions."
Maintenance Phase
As mentioned, INNOCY can provide safety expertise within all phases of an asset or project and in that capacity is also at home at the Maeslantkering. "Of course, the storm surge barrier was built a while ago, but it must be maintained in a good and safe way," says Oscar Ewaart, safety expert at INNOCY. "For this purpose, a permanent contractor has been appointed for a certain period of time who carries out all regular maintenance work and inspections. We have drawn up the H&S plan for the client. In an H&S plan, you will find information about risks and hazards, measures, responsibilities, coordination and consultation, emergencies, and supervision and control to ensure the safety and health of employees and third parties involved in a project. Oscar also carries out safety observations on behalf of the client, to ensure that the agreements as laid down in the H&S plan are also complied with. If not, we talk to the employee about it, make a report of it and start an improvement process together with the contractor."
Integral safety
In many projects, INNOCY takes on the role of integral safety expert. "We consider integral safety in projects in infrastructure, water but also for rail," says Midas. This is not only about safety in the planning and implementation, but also about thinking along with contract requirements, drawing up control measures and safety for the immediate environment." Oscar adds: "And upon completion, we then provide an up-to-date H&S file. Think of the H&S file as a reminder of an object that includes safety provisions that have an impact on a safe way of working and in which the residual risks are also well known, so that they can be included in future (maintenance) work."
