Louise Dulling, Health & Safety specialist
Meet Louise, our dedicated Health & Safety Specialist at Algeco Netherlands!
Read her story and find out how she contributes to a safe and inspiring work environment.
Hello Louise! Could you tell us about your background and how you came to work at Algeco Netherlands as a Health & Safety Specialist?
In 2008, my adventure in the unit industry began as an assistant operations at the company TOUAX. When TOUAX had the ambition to obtain the Company VCA certificate, I was asked if I wanted to take on this challenge. With full conviction, I went for it and thus entered the safety field. In support, I then also obtained my MVK degree.
In 2018, TOUAX was acquired by Algeco. Since there was already a KAM coordinator working at Algeco, I worked for a while as a project manager for Algeco Belgium, with the bustling port of Antwerp as my area of work.
But you can't keep a good thing down. In 2021, I got my chance when the KAM coordinator left. Without hesitation, I resumed my passion for safety and returned to the wonderful profession of safety specialist.
What does a typical day look like for you in your role as a Health & Safety Specialist?
No day is the same in the world of security! My schedule in the morning can be completely different than I planned. There are always unexpected twists and turns, but my tasks keep me busy. From delivering HSE plans to making presentations for our monthly safety stop, from project visits to evaluating observations.
And that's just the beginning! I supervise audits for VCA, ISO, Safety Culture Ladder, CO2 performance ladder, ISO14001. I work on the implementation of Algeco's safety standards and provide a monthly dose of facts in our "Did you know" section. In addition, I provide advice on various safety topics, such as the storage of hazardous substances, proper use of machinery, and the correct wearing of personal protective equipment.
In short, every day brings new challenges and opportunities to improve our safety culture!
What are some of the main responsibilities and challenges you will face in ensuring workplace safety at Algeco Netherlands?
The continuous challenge remains to make my colleagues and contracted workers aware that safety is not just an imposed obligation, but something you do for yourself. It's not just about what others expect of you, but primarily about what you expect from yourself: a healthy and well-deserved return home at the end of each workday.
It's like cherishing our own well-being, protecting your own future. So let's work together to create a culture where safety is not just a rule, but a given. Because if we all understand that safety starts with ourselves, then we can build a workplace where everyone can go with peace of mind and return home safely.
What are some common safety risks in the office, at the depot, or at the customer's site that employees should be aware of, and how do you address them?
In the office, prolonged sitting and staring at a screen is a common health hazard. Fortunately, there are solutions, such as sit-stand desks, that help us combat this and promote our health.
But safety awareness is not limited to the office alone. Working at heights poses significant risks both at the depot and on-site. Therefore, we are constantly striving to find the safest methods. We invest in training all our employees involved in working at heights. Through courses on safe working at heights, we raise awareness of the risks and ensure a safe working environment for everyone.
How do you promote a culture of safety among employees and what role does training and education play in this process?
Training and education are the backbone of our safety culture at Algeco. Not only because some trainings are legally required, but mainly because they increase awareness about safety and remind people of what safety means to them.
At Algeco, we organize a wide range of instructions, meetings, and training to strengthen our safety culture. This includes onboarding new employees, our monthly safety stop, mandatory trainings such as VCA, working at heights, and our monthly HSE meeting with management.
But it goes beyond formal training. We also encourage informal conversations and actively engage with colleagues during behavioral observations. This way, we collectively build a safe working environment where everyone contributes and is aware of the importance of safety.
Expansion of hot work zones has been a recent development. Can you elaborate on the reasoning behind this expansion and its impact on safety measures?
With us, safety comes first, not only because it is an insurance requirement, but because we believe it is important that risky work is carefully planned and executed. Hot work is a perfect example of this.
To handle this properly, we have one fixed workplace for hot work. By creating a specific location for these tasks, we can precisely arrange the work area and optimally coordinate safety measures. This way, it is clear to everyone that this area is risky and requires extra caution. With this approach, we ensure that safety is not only a requirement, but also a matter of course in our working environment.
What advice do you have for employees to maintain a safe work environment and contribute to overall safety efforts within the company?
If you come across something that doesn't feel safe, stop work and discuss it right away. Together we can look for a safer way to do the work.
Sharing ideas about working safely is crucial. Reporting any unsafe act, situation or incident is critical. Information is our key to success.
As safety experts, we depend on information from the shop floor to create an even safer work environment. So don't hesitate to inform us. Together we can ensure that everyone goes home safely every day. Safety first, anytime, anywhere! The best idea to increase safety within our organization may even win prizes.
Looking ahead, what are your goals or priorities for further improving safety at Algeco Netherlands in the coming months or years?
At Algeco Netherlands, our ultimate goal is to ensure that safety at work is not just seen as an obligation, but that it becomes something that comes from the employees themselves. We want safety to become an essential part of our corporate culture, something that we all actively contribute to and are enthusiastic about.
How do we achieve this? By constantly staying in conversation with each other, by providing training and continuous attention. In this way, we hope that our colleagues at Algeco Netherlands become increasingly enthusiastic about safety. Because safety is not only important for the company, but also for our health and well-being. Together, we work to create a safe and inspiring working environment in which everyone feels involved and proud of their contribution to safety.
Would you like to know more about Safety at Algeco?
Check out our HSE-approach, or check out our certificates (SO 9001, 14001, VCA, VCA P en FSC) or CO2-policy!