BUKO builds safety in civil engineering from the inside out

Working safely begins with culture, training and collaboration

Safety in the GWW sector is more than a protocol or an instruction on paper. Contractors must be able to perform their roadside work safely, BUKO employees must work responsibly every day, and road users must be able to pass road works without risk. This requires a thoughtful and consistent approach.

At BUKO, working safely is deeply embedded in the DNA of the organization. ‘We work safely’ is not an empty promise, but a principle that permeates everything the company does: from onboarding to daily practice on the road. Under the slogan ‘On the road to safety together,’ BUKO shows how culture, training and practice reinforce each other.

Safety from day one

“Working safely starts with the way people work with each other,” says Daniëlle Boeringa, Learning & Development Advisor at the BUKO Academy. “During a joint onboarding day, all new employees, regardless of position or department, are introduced to the importance of safety within their work from day one. Precisely this mix is important: everyone has a role in safety, inside and outside.”

Employees from operational functions as well as management and office positions will learn together on the day who BUKO is and what the company stands for. “The management goes into the BUKO DNA, the core values, while the KAM department introduces safety in an accessible way. This provides an accessible introduction to topics such as RI&E, Personal Protective Equipment and VERA, our digital safety colleague.”

Learning with an eye for practice

After that, safety remains structurally on the agenda. BUKO Academy organizes and coordinates safety training, working closely with the KAM department. A learning and development platform provides insight into which competence requirements apply and when certificates expire. “Employees themselves have access to their learning environment. That increases ownership and safety awareness,” says Boeringa.

The training courses are highly hands-on and tie in as closely as possible with everyday work. “Sometimes we develop special training for that purpose, such as for working with crash absorbers,” says Boeringa. Soft skills are also part of the safety policy, focusing on communication, feedback and dealing with aggression.

From paper to behavior

One uniform way of working is the basis for this approach. “Pointing out or calling each other to account for unsafe situations is not an exception, but part of our culture and daily actions. Safety is integrated into our job descriptions, job profiles and behavioral guidelines, for both professionals outside and people in the office,” says Boeringa.

In practice, foremen have a key role. Balen Ahmed, foreman at BUKO: “Safety in practice is all about mentality and awareness. Open communication between craftsmen and operations is crucial in this regard. We take care of each other and work together for the safety of ourselves and others.” Boeringa emphasizes, “If you doubt a situation outside, you may and must stop. Safety always comes first and everyone must return home safely at the end of the working day.”