By our guest editor Frank Houtvast, Labmanager CHILL
During 30 years at DSM I experienced firsthand the benefit of taking safety seriously. I remember one incident vividly. Even though it was 15 years ago. A colleague got caught with his hand in a machine. It appeared not to be secured enough. Regulations were not as strict as they are today. This man still misses a few fingers. To experience such a horrific accident close by gave me a deep respect for safety rules. It became a way of life.
These days working as manager Laboratory at CHILL I am responsible for our safety program. Within this program we ensure that safety rules are adequate but workable at the same time. Because I think this balance is so important, I took up my position at the SHE/S council.
On Campus safety is very important but I think we should detach ourselves from the very strict rules going back to plant times. Have rules in place that fit the situation we are in today. Do not try to be the best kid in class with respect to rules and regulations. We obey laws, that is enough. But make sure people are actively involved in safety and think for themselves.
Even so, at CHILL we put extra rules in place, needed because we work with inexperienced people. Students are youthful and therefore less careful by nature. That creates risks. So I try to engrain safety awareness into our students when they come on board. As a manager I do the safety presentation myself. I believe that makes a statement. It underlines the importance safety has for us.
Each student receives a safety booklet that needs to be signed off. The formal status of this booklet empowers the safety message. We learn students to analyze risks beforehand, so they know what can happen and therefore know what to do when something goes wrong. A very open culture is key to stimulate feedback from management to students. But vice versa is also very much appreciated! Because I am not perfect either. I also make mistakes!
