More and more, and stricter standards
Former employee Aad and QHSE manager Michel on quality, safety and health
Mennens invests every effort to guarantee quality, safety and health. For both its own employees and those of customers. An interview with retired QHSE manager Aad Breedveld and his successor Michel van Ham. On developments and the importance of quality assurance in the organization.
QHSE: Quality, Health, Safety and Environment
Aad's time at Mennens goes way back. In 1973 he started at Mennens in Schiedam (now Rotterdam) in the business office in an administrative role. Aad: "I soon realized that I much preferred working in engineering. I took a technical course and learned the tricks of the trade at Mennens. In 1978 I became assistant company manager, company manager in 1984 and in 1989 I was appointed general company manager."
Focusing on the product level
In those days, the focus on quality and safety was mainly at the product level, says Aad. "We had the Occupational Health and Safety Act and, as a testing company, we were supervised by the Port Labor Inspectorate. The latter also issued publication sheets (P-sheets), which explained how to handle lifting and hoisting equipment. So, there were safeguards, there just weren't any systems and standards for it yet."
| "By 1990, more and more customers were demanding a quality system."
Industry demand
Around 1990, Verto Verenigde Staalkabelfabrieken BV, Mennens' parent company at the time, sounded the alarm. Verto, as well as important customers, including the Ministry of Defense and various petrochemical companies in Rotterdam's Botlek, were increasingly insisting on a quality system. Aad: "The ISO standardization (for quality systems) was also introduced around that time. We got serious with that."
Procedures
Aad: "We suddenly had to record every step in the company according to procedures. It was a huge job, as everything was still on paper. Every department had quality folders full of procedures for purchasing, sales, production, assembly, warehouse management and logistics, among others. Purchasing alone had seven procedures." A handbook outlining how Mennens organizes and guarantees quality was also developed. Aad: "We also wrote two folders full of instructions. How do you measure a chain? How do you make a rope? Absolutely everything had to be recorded." Successfully. In 1993, Mennens was awarded the then ISO 9002 certificate, now ISO 9001.
VCA certification
Aad doesn't have much time to recover. Because in 1994 Mennens starts working with the 'Safety, Health and Environment Checklist for Contractors’ (Veiligheid, gezondheid en milieu Checklist Aannemers, or VCA*). Aad: "We wrote our first VCA manual and received VCA* certification the same year. This was also increasingly expected by our customers."
More and stricter standards
In subsequent years, Mennens was committed to continued growth and improvement. For example, they worked on group certification for all Mennens locations. Michel van Ham, Mennens' current QHSE manager, explains, "What started as VCA* soon became VCA**. Our focus on the environment became a reality with the implementation of the ISO 14001 management system in 2014. We recently reached a new milestone by obtaining the ISO 45001 certificate, focusing on health and safety." Michel continues: "The bulky manuals have been replaced by a modern ERP system and a digital KAM management system (Dutch for Quality, Occupational Health and Safety and Environment). Moreover, we have been EKH-certified for 30 years, which means we are authorized to inspect hoisting and lifting equipment (both above and below the hook)."
Guiding audits
As QHSE manager, Michel supervises the annual audits for all ISO, VCA and EKH certifications for Mennens. "They demonstrate that we guarantee quality, safety and health. And because we have our own processes in order, we can also contribute to quality, safety and health for our customers."
Safety Culture Ladder
Despite the many certifications acquired, Mennens continues to strive for self-improvement. Michel concludes, "On our own initiative, we participated in the Safety Culture Ladder1, which focuses on the mentality and behaviour of our employees. In 2022 we underwent an external audit for the first time, choosing level 3 for our location in Dongen. The auditors told us that our service technicians are already partially acting on levels 4 and 52. That fills us with pride. It shows how seriously we address these aspects throughout the organization."
Mennens' certifications
- NEN-EN ISO 9001:2015 (quality management)
- NEN-EN ISO 14001:2015 (environmental management)
- ISO 45001:2018 (healthy and safe working in accordance with international laws and regulations for working conditions)
- VCA** 2017/6.0 (evaluation and certification of safety and occupational health and safety systems)
- EKH under the hook (testing lifting and hoisting equipment)
- EKH above the hook (testing lifting equipment)
- GWO - Global Wind Organization
- Safety Culture Ladder
1 The Safety Culture Ladder is an international assessment method to measure safety awareness and action in companies (Safety Awareness).
2 The Safety Culture Ladder has 5 levels (ascending). - Step 4: Proactive - Safety is a high priority and is continuously improved. - Step 5: Progressive - Safety is fully integrated into all business processes.
