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We recently passed the VCA** audit, a great achievement! But we did get a comment from the auditors about our workplace inspections (WPIs) and Toolbox meetings. We are not meeting our targets. An area for improvement that we urgently need to work on.
Workplace inspections: urgent action point
Christopher: “With the exception of one team, no one managed to meet the target for WPIs in the past quarter. That’s a problem, because these workplace inspections are very useful. During such an inspection, we check the use of PPE, safety on the construction site or work location and the general working conditions of our colleagues in the field. Not to mention that they are mandatory under the Belgian Welfare Act.
Apart from safety and health checks, WPIs have another use. They are ideal opportunities to get to know our colleagues’ work in the field and strengthen our relationship with them. What do they think of the teamwork? How do they experience their working conditions? Where can we make improvements? After all, safety is a shared responsibility.”
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What is VCA** again? A checklist for minimum requirements regarding safety, health and the environment. In Dutch, VCA stands for Safety, Health and Environment Checklist for Contractors. Examples of requirements: conduct workplace inspections, improve medical screening for employees, etc. With the aim of raising the safety level in the company. |
Toolbox-meetings: monthly check-in
“The toolbox talks also help keep the line open with our technicians,” continues Christopher. “The target is 11 meetings a year, 4 of which need to be in person. The other 7 may be online, but only during a Teams call – therefore not while a colleague is on the move, for example.”
“It’s a high pace, but those meetings are the perfect opportunity to share important safety and other information with colleagues in the field. Every month, topics are presented on slides, and the rest of the meeting can be used to share other information or for questions.”
A safe and healthy working environment is something we can only create together, and we have all the tools to achieve this at our fingertips. Our safety culture is evidence of our professionalism and high quality, and contributes to our good reputation in the market. We work safely or we don’t work.
