A German engineer, who is currently working on one of Europe’s largest construction projects, has achieved a ‘Top Candidate’ award from NEBOSH.
Jan Scholten, 29, received his award for gaining the highest mark in the 2010/11 examinations for the NEBOSH International Certificate in Construction Health and Safety.
Jan is a lead construction supervisor on energy provider E.ON’s project in Rotterdam to build a new coal and biomass-fired power station. When finished, the new 1100MW gross-capacity Maasvlakte power station will meet around 7 per cent of the Netherlands’ electricity needs.
A mechanical engineer, Jan heads a team of contractors who are putting a cooling water system in place. As well as ensuring the cooling system is built to specification and on time, he is also responsible for safety on-site. The work is high-hazard, with some contractors regularly working at a height of 120 metres above the ground.
With the backing of his employers E.ON, Jan took the NEBOSH International Construction Certificate to take his on-site health and safety skills and know-how to “another level”. He took his NEBOSH course with health and safety consultancy and training firm, Santia.
Jan commented: “For me, this was my first real big site and, in the beginning, I felt I was a little inexperienced in health and safety. This has given me technical knowledge, so that when I now go on-site I am really sure of what I see there and what I need to tell people.”
Teresa Budworth, NEBOSH chief executive, said: “According to the International Labour Organisation there’s around one death every 10 minutes on construction sites around the world. In fact, the industry accounts for almost one in five of all fatal workplace accidents.
“By making sure that supervisors such as Jan are properly trained and qualified to manage safety, employers such as E.ON set standards that employers in the sector should aspire to. Jan is right to be proud of his achievement. It is one that will protect people from unnecessary death, injury and suffering.”
