“We work safely, or we don’t work at all.” This could be on our wall, but instead, it’s our guiding principle every single workday. This year, it was once again confirmed with the achievement of Safety Culture Ladder Level 3 Original. A recognition that shows safety isn’t just about procedures, it’s about behavior and the choices we make every day.
Because working safely isn’t just about following rules. It’s about speaking up, assessing risks, and learning from what went right or wrong. To make our safety culture tangible, we award the Safety Award twice a year. This prize goes to skilled workers who demonstrate what safe working looks like in practice. This edition, we even have two winners. First up: Ivan Mihov.
A role model on and off the job
Ivan has been working with us as an industrial mechanic on various projects for some time. He is currently employed at Equans as an E&I mechanic. He was nominated for the Safety Award by a colleague who noticed his consistent approach to safety—not only on the job, but also beyond.
That’s how you protect yourself and those around you
“How you work and act safely is a question you need to ask yourself constantly: before, during, and after your work. That’s how you protect yourself and those around you”, says Ivan. This mindset shows in everything he does. Ivan follows safety instructions meticulously and applies the LMRA standard in his daily tasks. Receiving the Safety Award makes him proud.
“Representing a company, person, or organization correctly is essential. You are the face of the organization.” He definitely practices what he preaches, leading by example. His advice to others is simple, yet not always easy:
“Keep your eyes open. Think before you act and ask yourself: is this safe? And if you see someone doing something unsafe, say stop. Situations can change in a split second.”
Communication is key
The second winner of the Safety Award is Moise Ionut Gabriel. He is undoubtedly a deserving recipient. Moise works at Van Wijnen in Heerenveen, the largest housing factory in Europe—a dynamic environment where safety is not an afterthought, but a daily responsibility.
Colleagues describe Moise as a pillar on the work floor. Someone who speaks up and takes initiative. He regularly contributes during daily briefings, actively thinks about safety issues, identifies improvements, and always prioritizes communication.
We look out for each other and speak up when necessary
“I work closely with my colleagues. We communicate a lot and keep each other informed. There are always people working in multiple areas, so it’s important to stay in constant communication. This way, everyone knows what’s happening, and we ensure the work is done safely and correctly.”
In his daily work, Moise is continuously focused on safety. For him, it’s not an extra task—it’s a natural part of his workday and perhaps one of the most important.
“Safety is very important to me, and actually for everyone here. We look out for each other and speak up when necessary. That way, we ensure that everyone goes home safely at the end of the day.”
Two deserving winners, one clear message: safety is a choice you make every day. Did you work safely, or were you just lucky?
In May, we will award the Safety Award again. We are already curious to see who will make the difference next time.