Vandersanden invests in safety and communication in the workplace
Vandersanden aims to be a stimulating workplace where people enjoy their work, communicate easily and trust one another. That is why we are investing, amongst other things, in a safe working environment with a corresponding work culture, and in language coaching for colleagues who speak other languages.
Working together towards zero accidents
At Vandersanden, safety always comes first. Our goal is simple: everyone should go home safe and healthy at the end of every working day. We’ve made real progress in recent years, but the figures tell us there is still work to do. That’s why we’re keeping a strong focus on safety and safe behaviour across the workplace. One of the most effective things we can do is speak up early. When we report risks and unsafe situations as soon as we spot them, we can prevent accidents before they happen, and that strengthens our safety culture as a whole.
Our incident analyses show that many accidents come down to human behaviour: good intentions, rushing, or simply forgetting a safety rule in the moment. We’ve all heard (or said) things like “I just wanted to help out” or “I had to do something quickly.” These are very human reactions, but they can have serious consequences. That’s why, since 2024, we’ve been fully committed to changing behaviour and building a stronger safety culture together. With the support of our external partner, Samurai at Work, we’re now taking a structured, long-term approach to make safety second nature for all of us.
Samurai at Work
Samurai at Work is guiding us through a large-scale change programme involving everyone, from senior management and line managers to employees on the shop floor. The project began in 2025 with kick-off meetings and baseline assessments across the entire organisation. The insights gained form the basis for the safety compass that we drew up together with senior management and plant managers. In 2026, we developed action plans for each site. With the support of Samurai at Work, we are gradually turning these plans into concrete actions that encourage safer behaviour in the workplace.
Our approach is based on three pillars: safe machinery, clear procedures and safe behaviour. We’re encouraging everyone to report unsafe situations and near-misses before anything goes wrong, and it’s clearly working. In 2025, reports of hazardous situations rose by 23% compared with 2024. Every one of those reports is a chance to fix a problem before someone gets hurt. Together, we’re building a culture where safety is simply part of how we work, and each day brings us one step closer to our goal of zero accidents.
Language coaching for colleagues who speak other languages
In 2025, we launched language coaching in Lanklaar and Maasmechelen for colleagues who have not yet fully mastered Dutch. In this way, we help them perform better in their current roles, increase their opportunities for career progression and facilitate their integration into society. These colleagues already bring the right skills and live the Vandersanden mindset every day, but communicating in Dutch can sometimes be a challenge. Our language coaching helps them build a solid foundation and the confidence to keep improving. We’re proud that our language training initiatives have earned us the ‘Inclusive Enterprise’ certificate in both 2025 and 2026.
More about sustainability at Vandersanden
At Vandersanden, we don’t think in terms of years, but in terms of generations. That is why we view sustainability in the broadest sense of the word. At work, within the sector, in the community and in terms of the environment: this is how we help build a resilient future for current and future generations.
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