With the Ballast Nedam Take Care Award, we highlight exceptional safety performances and examples of good safety behaviour. The award for the first quarter of 2025 has been granted to the team of Ballast Nedam Road Specialties on the Green Park Aalsmeer project.

For the work on the cycle path on Middenweg, a traffic measure approved by the municipality and the client was established. However, it threatened to conflict with the traffic measure of another contractor, who is constructing a roundabout a bit further down.

How did the team discover this? Project leader Thomas Snelderwaard: “Our foreman Willem Franssen pointed it out to me. He indicated that it was not workable because cyclists, cars, and work traffic would all have to pass too close to the work. Dangerous for road users and for our people. I thanked Willem very much for the report and immediately took action with some colleagues.”

Work temporarily halted

Thanks to the quick action of executor Arnold Smit and work preparer Arno Pijper, consultation with the municipality and the director could take place almost immediately. “There were several alternatives for our cycle diversion on the table,” says Thomas. “But none of them were useful. Then we decided in good consultation to temporarily halt our work. That is quite something, but safety comes first. Moreover, we had the opportunity to use our time differently and prevent stagnation. We quickly asphalted the cycle diversion of the other contractor, which runs over our work. The new roundabout will soon be ready and safe for cyclists. Then we can continue with our part.”

Increasingly safer

This is an example of how you can quickly come to a solution through cooperation and good communication. But Thomas is especially proud of Willem and his other team members, who do not hesitate to address unsafe situations. “You are only a true professional if you work safely and have an eye for the safety of the people around you. Fortunately, I have many like Willem, Arnold, and Arno. If we all do that, the work becomes increasingly safer for everyone. It is nice to express appreciation for this with the Take Care Award.”

Cheque of € 500,-

The Take Care Award jury (Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) director Geert van der Linde and the members of the VGWM committee of the Works Council) selects a winner from the nominations of the previous quarter four times a year. The winning nomination receives € 500,- to arrange a nice treat with the involved colleagues, do something fun, or donate to a good cause.