Working Safely at Height: How RECO and Mennens Are Taking Safety to New Heights
Working safely at height requires more than just the right equipment. It is about awareness, knowledge, training and knowing how to respond when something goes wrong. With this shared commitment to safety, RECO and Mennens have been working together for years to create a safe working environment for employees who work at height every day.
RECO supports contractors and end users with temporary construction site facilities, such as scaffolding, construction hoists and modular units. Safety is particularly important when carrying out these activities. That is why RECO was looking not only for the best personal protective equipment (PPE), but also for a partner who could provide expert guidance on safe working practices, practical training and rescue operations at height. RECO found that partner in Mennens.
Safety Starts with Awareness
At RECO, safety is not simply a mandatory part of the job, but an integral part of the company culture. Employees must not only have access to the right equipment, but, more importantly, understand why they need to use it and how to work with it safely.
Together with Mennens, RECO continuously evaluates the right combination of fall protection equipment, training and practical support. Thanks to this partnership, safety awareness within RECO has noticeably increased over the years. Safety is no longer seen as merely an obligation, but as a shared responsibility that employees actively contribute to.
Comfort Encourages Safe Working Practices
An important area of focus was the use of safety harnesses. In practice, personal protective equipment (PPE) is not always worn consistently when it is uncomfortable or does not adequately suit the tasks being performed.
That is why RECO and Mennens worked together to select new safety harnesses, with a strong focus on comfort and ease of use. Employees from different departments thoroughly tested the equipment to ensure that the selected solutions were well suited to their daily activities.
This approach paid off. Because the harnesses are more comfortable and better suited to the work, wearing them has become a much more natural part of everyday operations.
“Safe working practices start with equipment that people actually want to use. When a harness fits comfortably, functions properly and suits the task, it becomes much easier for employees to work safely.”
— Nicky van Oorschot, Trainer and Advisor at Safe Site – Powered by Mennens
More Than Just the Right Equipment
Effective fall protection goes beyond simply supplying the right equipment. It is equally important that employees understand how to use it safely and know how to respond in the event of an incident.
That is why training plays a key role in the partnership. Employees learn to identify risks, use their equipment correctly and practise realistic workplace scenarios. Particular attention is also given to rescue operations at height. After all, when someone is left suspended in their harness following a fall, a quick and effective response is crucial.
By combining prevention, training and emergency preparedness, RECO and Mennens have developed a comprehensive approach to safety that goes beyond simply complying with laws and regulations.
The Scaffolding School: Learning Through Practice
A great example of this collaborative approach is the development of the Scaffolding School at RECO. The initial training sessions at the Vlaardingen location highlighted the need for a dedicated practical training environment where employees could regularly practise and develop their skills.
Together with an external training provider and with support from Parton, a dedicated training structure was created to safely simulate various real-life working situations. This allows employees to maintain and improve their knowledge and skills not only during mandatory training courses, but also through regular practice sessions.
The Scaffolding School also contributes to a broader safety culture. RECO actively shares knowledge within the industry and involves subcontractors in this approach to safe working practices. After all, safety on construction sites is a shared responsibility.
A Partnership That Delivers Lasting Results
The partnership between RECO and Mennens demonstrates that long-term safety is achieved by bringing different elements together. Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE), practical training, a strong focus on rescue operations at height and continuous knowledge sharing all reinforce one another.
This approach has resulted in greater safety awareness, increased acceptance and use of personal protective equipment, and employees who are better prepared for real-life working situations. Working safely at height is therefore not a one-off project, but a continuous process of improvement, training and learning.
“For me, working safely at height is all about continuous practice, holding each other accountable and being prepared for unexpected situations. Only when employees feel confident in their own actions and trust one another in practice does safety truly become an integral part of everyday working procedures.”
— Bryan Hugenholtz, Safety Officer / HSE Coordinator at RECO
Working Together to Create a Safe Working Environment
Safety requires continuous attention, every single day. With the right equipment, practical training and a partner who actively contributes expertise and solutions, organisations can significantly reduce risks and ensure employees are well prepared for their work.
Curious about how your organisation can further improve safety when working at height? The specialists at Mennens are happy to advise you on fall protection, training, inspections and rescue operations at height.
