On the occasion of Safety Day, we interviewed Yontec's prevention advisor: Annelies Tournel. Yontec considers the safety of its employees a priority, so this safety day is the ideal time to get to know Annelies and her job better..
I worked for 6 years in the IT sector in Brussels and was on the verge of a family expansion. This made me want to change career direction. So I started looking for a job in Limburg and soon found myself at Yontec. The first conversation with Peter and Davy really made it clear to me that this is a company I want to work for. In addition, I felt the family atmosphere that immediately gave me a warm feeling.
I started as an office manager with a diverse range of duties. As Yontec grew, my duties expanded and changed over the years. Davy always involved me with the annual SCC audits, where my interest grew to be able to stand in for safety at Yontec.
It's a very varied job, from administration to close communication with customers. First of all, I make sure that the starting technicians at Yontec get as much information as possible about their workplace and its safety. Therefore, when onboarding, I also always take plenty of time to sit together. Colleagues who change workstations receive targeted safety info from me. Since I cannot see safety from behind my computer, I make weekly workplace visits to our technicians.
Furthermore, I am in close contact with customers to exchange information related to security.
In addition, I provide internal advice to management on work clothing, equipment, PPE,... Every month I participate in the CPBW (Committee for Prevention and Safety at Work) where we discuss various topics on welfare and safety.
I also do further follow-up safety training so that everyone obtains the required certificates in a timely manner. Since September 2021, we have established the Y-LAB. Here we provide non-binding technical training & education to our starters in addition to safety training.
Anyone who needs a listening ear is always welcome to knock on my door. My door is always open for questions, difficult situations or just additional information on certain issues. If there are problems at work, I will talk to the employees in confidence. Here we can then look for a solution together. If necessary, I can refer them to further help.
In addition, I also put my shoulders to the Anti-Bullying Campaign. Bullying at work is unacceptable! We unfortunately see that this still happens too often and we here at Yontec try to make sure that bullying is not part of our family.
I have only one explanation for that and it comes from Davy himself. He says, "because we are the Yontec family and don't want any of our family members to be seriously hurt.
I keep that overview mainly through the workplace visits, which are very important and also ensure that I can do my job to perfection. Because from behind the computer I cannot see what the technicians are doing. During these visits, I enter into a dialogue with the technician and the customers to see where adjustments can be made.
To a new technician, we'll pass along how Yontec stands on safety and how we approach it. First, the basics around safety, which most already know but it's still important to always refresh this. This mainly includes safety on the shop floor, the risks, training and I also emphasize that if there are problems, I am the confidential advisor.
There are several ways to make employees aware about safety. There is a monthly newsletter, our Ynfo, where there is always a safety topic. In addition, workplace visits are part of making employees aware of safety because I discuss it with them. We also disseminate information about accidents that have happened and creatively celebrate Safety Day.
I like the fact that my job is so varied. When I arrive in the morning, I never know what the day will bring me. I work with many people and get to be in a variety of places, from pharmaceutical companies to prisons. Every day is different and every day I meet new challenges.
Limburg Headquarters
Kuringersteenweg 304 bus 3
3511 Hasselt
T: +32 (0)11 26 98 44
Branch East & West Flanders
Ninovesteenweg 198 bus 25
9320 Aalst
T: +32 (0)53 80 81 00
Agency Antwerp & Kempen
Diamantstraat 8 bus 372
2200 Herentals
Agency Flemish Brabant & Brussels
Grauwmeer 1/61 bus 63
3001 Leuven
info@yontec.be
Every weekday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Urgent cases: +32 (0)800 96 999
