UTRECHT, 19 February 2008 – The total number of accidents at Strukton leading to absenteeism diminished in 2007 in comparison with the previous year. Strukton employs a 5,600-strong workforce, 4,500 of whom work in the Netherlands. In 2006, the company registered 106 accidents leading to absenteeism; this figure dropped to 73 in 2007. The number of days of absenteeism also fell from 2,069 in 2006 to 1,175 in 2007. This decrease follows several years of stabilisation.
Expectations are that the current decrease represents the start of a new diminishing trend, resulting in part from Strukton’s increased attention for employee safety. Whether this trend will persist beyond an incidental decrease in the number of accidents can only be assessed with certainty over a period of several years.
Strukton hopes to continue to lower the number of accidents as in 2007, with the ultimate aim of achieving a rate of zero accidents at its sites. Focusing on safety is important for Strukton because of the dangers inherent to the sector in which it operates. In recent decades, on-site safety has increased dramatically as a result of better legislation and technological applications. The greatest gains have yet to be achieved through changes in employee behaviour and mentality.
For this reason, Strukton launched an internal zero accidents campaign highlighting behaviour and mentality at the end of 2007. While legislation and technology are considered top-down instruments, the zero accidents approach is bottom up. As such, a measurement model has been developed where project employees rate and discuss on-site safety amongst themselves. This takes place periodically, challenging employees to be constantly aware of all aspects related to safety. Additionally, safety will be awarded extra attention this year in internal communication resources and a promotional tour of a number of sites will be organised. The campaign runs until the end of 2008.
About Strukton
Strukton offers solutions in the fields of infrastructure and accommodation. As an operational partner, Strukton supervises the entire chain, from draft design to implementation phase.
By pooling the five operating companies’ specific knowledge and experience, it enables end users to travel easily and live, work, study and relax in comfortable accommodation.