Collaboration paves path to optimal security

Within the Netherlands, the Stichting Samenwerken Voor Veiligheid (SSVV) is considered not only the legal owner and scheme administrator of the SCC system. The alliance of 22 (branch) organizations from the Dutch construction and industry also forms a versatile platform where clients, contractors and safety professionals meet. To exchange experiences, learn, advance each other and much more. "On the road to greater safety and health in the workplace, it is precisely this cooperation that is of great importance," said general manager Anne Kamphuis. "We are therefore continuously developing initiatives to further concretize the second 'S' in our foundation name."

An impression of the congress organized by the SSVV Samen Sterk Voor Veilig Werk.

Kamphuis has been on board with the SSVV for about four years. After his entrance, he was mostly concerned with refocusing. "We felt the need to take a good look at ourselves. Do we still matter, does SCC still matter? Questions that were mainly based on the fact that our board, formed by principals and contractors, came together mainly to represent their interests. In my opinion there was too little focus on cooperation. While that aspect is clearly woven into the name of our organization. To clarify who we should be and what we should be doing, we held a number of sessions. From these, our vision, mission and strategy emerged. Then we surveyed some 400 stakeholders, including a number of concrete and steel construction companies. This showed that SCC and VCU are popular. They are seen as brands with which companies can show their customers what they have to offer in terms of safe working and with which the same language can be spoken among themselves."

Together

Managing Director Anne Kamphuis.

However, respondents were in some cases less positive about the SSVV itself. For example, the organization was described as cumbersome and slow. Furthermore, many were of the opinion that the foundation had too few modern insights into safe working practices. "Sounds that called for a breath of fresh air," said Kamphuis. "First of all, we updated VCA. That was recently completed with the publication of the 2017 update. In addition, we launched an upgrade program." This is a research program in which the SSVV, together with its member industries and, in particular, companies from those industries, is looking for improvement opportunities in terms of safe working. This may lead to a modification of the scheme. "Another example of our recent changes is the launch of a new website," Kamphuis continues. "A tool that, among other things, will allow us to present new toolboxes and better inform supporters about who we are, what we do and who we are there for. In short, we are developing the necessary initiatives to further develop the 'S' of Working Together. We do this 'internally' with our participating branches, but also 'externally' with other scheme managers, for example. The recent establishment of the Association of Scheme Administrators is a good example of this. As SSVV, we cannot do it alone. The industries and the certification bodies must also show initiative and cooperate in the further professionalization of the system. To this end, we offer a platform accessible to everyone and do everything we can to get the market parties moving and working together. With the ultimate goal of bringing safety throughout the chain to the highest possible level."   

Text | Chris Elbers   Image | SSVV