BESIX/ZEEKR: Safety first in the renovation of the Krammer locks
On the edge of Zeeland, where the Volkerak-Zoommeer and the Oosterschelde almost meet, lies one of the most crucial links in the European waterway network: the Krammer locks. Each year, more than 60,000 vessels pass through here, a vital connection between Rotterdam, Antwerp and Ghent.
After nearly 40 years of intensive use, this icon of the Delta Works is undergoing a large-scale renovation. Rijkswaterstaat awarded the contract to construction consortium ZEEKR, led by BESIX. Together with partners BESIX Unitec, Croonwolter&dros, Demako, Smulders and Bosch Rexroth, the team is working on a future-proof modernisation.
The challenge?
Renovating a complex that is part of the Delta Works while shipping largely continues. And doing all of that with many contractors, visitors and employees who need to enter and leave the site safely.
Safety as the foundation of every BESIX project
For BESIX/ZEEKR, safety is not a precondition but a core value. The company strives for zero accidents and a working environment in which everyone can work safely, every single day. That philosophy is captured in the slogan: "Safety first, then quality, then on time!"
At a project on the scale of the Krammer locks, putting this safety culture into practice brings concrete challenges.
"With large and complex projects like this, you are dealing with a constant flow of people entering the site",
explains Benjamin Meeuse, Manager of Integral Safety.
"From permanent staff to changing contractors, from drivers to occasional visitors. Everyone needs to be aware of the specific risks and safety protocols."
Digital Project Introduction with LesLinq
To address that challenge, BESIX/ZEEKR chose the innovative solution from LesLinq. Together with the LesLinq Creative Studio, the digital Krammer Locks Safety Introduction was developed: a mandatory interactive training that everyone completes before entering the site.
How it works
Contractors and visitors receive an SMS or email in advance with a personal link to the digital safety instruction. The module works on any device and is available in 8 languages, with a text-to-speech function for people who find reading difficult or who speak another language.
"On a construction site like this, you rarely speak just one language. With LesLinq you reach everyone. The instruction automatically appears in the participant's own language, with a read-aloud function for those who prefer listening to reading. Now I know for certain that everyone, regardless of language or reading level, has understood the instruction. That gives me more confidence that the safety message truly lands," says Hugo Meijer, Project Safety Officer, BESIX/ZEEKR.
In just 15 minutes, participants are guided through:
- The 4 fundamental safety principles
- Top risks
- Additional risks
- PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
- What to do in an emergency
The Digital Project Introduction includes a number of knowledge questions. Anyone who passes receives a certificate immediately, which is automatically linked to Bouwpas, the national registration system for companies and workers in the construction sector.
"Safety has to be guaranteed without creating operational bottlenecks," Benjamin Meeuse continues. "With LesLinq we can instruct everyone, from contractor to visitor, quickly, in their own language and at their own moment. Everything is fully recorded for compliance."
Innovation in technology and in safety
Innovation in technology and in safety is the common thread running through the entire project. The collaboration between BESIX and LesLinq fits seamlessly with the project's forward-thinking approach.
At the Krammer locks, for instance, a bubble screen system is being introduced that separates fresh and salt water. This system reduces vessel lock-through time by 30%, is 35% more energy-efficient and sets a new standard in sustainability.
That same progressive approach applies to the way safety is organised: digital, scalable and inclusive.
Result: Safety assured, without delay
With LesLinq, BESIX has a uniform, multilingual and measurable safety instruction. Everyone who enters the site is well informed, verified and certified, an essential condition for a project where safety, efficiency and collaboration go hand in hand.
"Accessibility is crucial when it comes to safety. You can have the best procedures, but if people don't understand them or can't follow them, they are of no use. LesLinq gives us the ability to truly reach everyone, regardless of language, digital skills or reading level. The text-to-speech function and the multilingual support mean we can genuinely reach everyone: everyone can and must be instructed before they enter the site. That is 'look before you leap' in practice," says Pascal van Waes, HSE Manager BESIX Europe.
Want to know more about digital safety instructions with LesLinq?
De Krammersluizen zijn niet het enige grootschalige project dat vertrouwt op LesLinq voor veiligheid en compliance. Van bouwplaatsen tot maritieme projecten: ontdek hoe microlearning met LesLinq de operatie veiliger en efficiënter maakt. Get in touch and find out how LesLinq can help your organisation improve safety and simplify compliance.
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