Safety Awareness Day 2026 | Focusing on safety together
On Wednesday 25 March, Severfield Europe dedicated the day to safe and healthy working as part of the national Safety Awareness Day. Across all locations, extra attention was given to safety through a joint kick-off and toolbox meetings.
During Safety Awareness Day, more than 1,000 companies in the construction, engineering, infrastructure and maintenance sectors take the opportunity to highlight the importance of health and safety in the workplace. Together, we use this day to reinforce why safety matters.
Joint kick-off
The day started at 09:00 across our locations in Rijssen, Maassluis and Breda with a joint kick-off in the canteen. Employees gathered for a short introduction on safe working and the purpose of Safety Awareness Day. During the session, we highlighted that safety is not limited to the construction site, but is relevant throughout the entire organisation. From estimating and engineering to project management and production, the decisions we make at every stage directly impact how safely we work. The kick-off also included an interactive quiz, encouraging employees to actively participate, share their knowledge and reflect on their experiences with safety. This created valuable insights and strong engagement from the start of the day.
According to QHSE Manager Femke Machiels, awareness is key to working safely: “Working safely starts with awareness. By continuing to engage in conversation and learn from each other, we ensure that safety remains a priority every day.”
Discussing safety during toolbox meetings
Across departments, toolbox meetings were organised where colleagues discussed safety in the workplace. These sessions covered recognising risks, the correct use of personal protective equipment and practical, real-life situations, as well as safety in a broader sense.
Dedicated toolbox meetings were also organised for office staff, focusing on safety from a different perspective. Topics included psychosocial workload (PSA), such as work pressure, stress and work-life balance. Attention was also given to ergonomics, preventing complaints caused by prolonged sitting and the importance of a well-designed workspace.
This broad approach made safety relevant and tangible for everyone in the organisation, from the shop floor to the office.
Working together to build a strong safety culture
Although Safety Awareness Day takes place once a year, safe and healthy working is a daily priority for us. We continuously work to strengthen our safety culture, which is built on three key principles.
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LEADING WITH CARESafety leadership is about being accountable for understanding and supporting what our workers need through learning from normal work. |
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EFFECTIVE CONTROLSSafety is defined by the presence of controls that ensure safe operations through their ability to manage risk under varying conditions. |
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ENGAGING WITH EMPLOYEESOur culture embraces learning and continual improvement through worker engagement and support. |
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With clear standards, engaged employees and a systems-based approach, we continue to improve the way we work. Safety Awareness Day provided a valuable moment to reflect on this together. By engaging in open dialogue, sharing experiences and keeping each other sharp, we continue to build a safe working environment for everyone.
