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“I have been supporting Goodwill for 10 years. The fact that I have children and grandchildren of my own was at the time and still is the trigger for me to participate.” Meet Gilles van Zweeden from the Netherlands Security Institute.
Everything for safety and the prevention of accidents. With the Netherlands Safety Institute , Gilles van Zweeden focuses on preventing and limiting accidents and incidents with and without damage. Both in the workplace and with people in their private situation.
Alert to potential dangers
As an enthusiastic professional idiot, in his own words, Gilles van Zweeden is always on when it comes to safety. Like recently at a care farm. During a bike ride, he took a coffee break there. One of the clients was ironing in a corner. The iron was connected to a reel that had not been unrolled: “And then the cable can melt or even worse, catch fire. Identifying and explaining makes people aware of the possible consequences.”
Connector
After a career as a safety manager at Shell, Gilles van Zweeden was one of the initiators of the Netherlands Safety Institute about 10 years ago. With his knowledge and experience, he is now the connecting factor between safety experts, employers and private individuals. With the foundation, Gilles van Zweeden provides information, shares knowledge and has set up a permanent exhibition in Harderwijk. This Safety-Expo is an experience centre that anyone can visit for free to get information about safety.
Security risks at home
The law states that all organizations with one or more employees are required to have a risk inventory and evaluation (RIE). This includes all possible occupational risks with an action plan to limit these risks. But outside working hours, the employer has no idea of the risks to which his valuable employee is exposed. Gilles van Zweeden is committed to raising awareness of this among companies. “Organize a safety day, for employees and their family members. Or take them to the experience center. Then we give tips with clear practical examples; Such as not leaving rubbish lying around on the stairs, no poisonous plants in the house, storing knives in a safe way. Hopefully, this will help people recognize and change potentially unsafe situations at home and the employee will return to work safely the next day.”
Published on 12 December 2024
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