Platform on concrete and steel in construction
The JP Safety Award for Safest Construction Partner, presented annually by construction company J.P. van Eesteren, goes to Arton Betonbouw this year. “Safety is a strategic part of our business,” said Leon Vrielink, director of the Oss-based company. “Because we are fully committed to it, clients are eager to work with us.”
This is the seventh year that the award has been presented to raise awareness of safety on construction sites. The winner is selected based on safety performance, NEN Safety Culture Ladder certification, and nominations and votes by J.P. van Eesteren employees.
Arton—a specialist in the engineering and construction of complex, high-quality concrete structures—was nominated for the work it carried out on behalf of J.P. van Eesteren for the new ANWB office in The Hague, but has previously completed several major projects for the contractor. “The strength of our safety program is that we took a bottom-up approach rather than a top-down one. We asked our site supervisors and work planners what was needed to work safely. Together, we developed this into a set of core values and a corresponding safety program that everyone supports.”
The JP Safety Award is one of the ways J.P. van Eesteren rewards its construction partners for their commitment to workplace safety. “We want to lead the way in safety,” explains Michel Hoogendoorn, Director of Project Execution at the TBI company. “Naturally, this starts within our own company. For example, we also present the JP Safety Awards internally to recognize the safest construction site worker, the safest client, the best safety idea, the safest large-scale project, and the safest VOR project. Partly based on the agreements in the Governance Code for Safety in Construction, we expect the entire supply chain to make an effort to promote safety awareness and improve employee behavior on the job site.”
“Arton really has safety down pat, both in preparation and execution,” Hoogendoorn continues. “A dedicated site manager and designated points of contact on-site, and a supervisor is always present during overtime. But they also provide detailed schedules that genuinely prioritize safety, combined with clear and decisive action in unsafe situations, as well as proactive toolbox meetings and safety rounds that aligned perfectly with our own procedures. Many suppliers say this, but Arton actually puts it into practice. A great, reliable partner to work with.”
