Safe workplace on construction is an absolute must!

Strong economic growth is translating into increased activity in the construction and civil engineering sectors. Unfortunately, the number of reports of accidents on construction sites is increasing. Whether this has to do with growing employment or indicates the risk of declining safety awareness is not entirely clear. Therefore, creating a safe workplace on construction sites is an absolute must.

A company that not only makes construction more efficient and faster, but above all places a high priority on the safety of the workplace on construction sites, is PERI BeNeLux B.V. Founded in 1969 in Weissenhorn, Germany, it has grown to become one of the world's largest manufacturers of formwork and scaffolding. "A safe workplace and gaining access to it in a safe way, that is exactly where our expertise lies," says René Otjens, country manager PERI Netherlands.

PERI designed a unique support and scaffolding structure so that painters and blasters had a safe workplace at height during the renovation of the Willemsbrug in Rotterdam. (Image: Andreas 1000)

Reverse design

"Safety keeps everyone busy, but it starts at the drawing board," said René van Zutven, head of Engineering & Assembly at PERI BeNeLux. "We take the starting points of the customer and the environment of the project and see how we can realize a safe workplace there. In doing so, we are not limited by the already existing products or systems, but always look for creative solutions." Otjens adds: "In fact, we look at the final situation and design an appropriate solution for that."

Total package by combining systems

With its enormously wide range of products and systems, PERI has a solution for every challenge. Often the systems are combined within one project, such as in the construction of the new nhow Amsterdam RAI hotel. Otjens: "Wall formwork, floor systems, working and climbing platforms, wind shields, outriggers, mobile scaffolding and support systems, it was all used. PERI also designed a unique scaffolding/support construction for the Willemsbrug in Rotterdam." Van Zutven: "We offer an integral total package for safety and accessibility with our systems from the scaffolding world and the formwork world: the best of both worlds!"

PERI developed a formwork with one-sided anchoring technology, this works cost-effectively and ensures a nice concrete surface. Here with MXK platforms, for a safe workplace (project NACH).

Deutsche gründlichkeit

Van Zutven: "Product development takes place at our facility in Germany and is supplemented by local input (such as safety standards) from the countries themselves." Otjens adds: "We set the bar at the highest level and sometimes there is the choice to lower the bar a little, depending on the requirements set. All our systems work with completely flat floors to avoid tripping hazards. We also work with a unique scaffolding system with grid sizes of 25 and 50 cm, allowing a flawless connection to any type of construction. From our assembly hall, we ensure that as much as possible is already assembled in advance, which improves safety. In this way, we ensure the quality of the PERI products used. The prefabricated parts are transported to the construction site and assembled by the contractor under the supervision of a project manager or supervisor from PERI. The structural engineer naturally tests the entire construction before work begins."

Global player serving all markets

"When safety plays a major role, it is important to be able to demonstrate that you are doing everything possible to meet the standards. We are an ISO 9001 and VCA certified company, a member of the VSB and an approved training company. A serious global player with years of experience and expertise serving all markets. Our wide range of products can be perfectly combined and we use our expertise to think along at the front end. BIM and 3D scanning are hereby digital methods to guide the customer and through the myPERI online customer portal they can look up all articles. The structures and systems that we design and draw always meet the set project standards. We can calculate that in our software, which again allows us to increase safety. Because after all, that's what it's all about," Otjens concludes.