I was in Germany more than four months ago visiting our construction sites here and analyzing in detail how our teams work. I directly observed how people relate to safety. I followed the organization of each site and the behavior of workers in real situations. The visit helped me understand how a mature occupational safety culture functions—when people are trained, respected, and supported—and what we can concretely apply in Romania.
I observed clear things. Order and discipline are present at every stage. Organization is precise. Access routes are kept clear. Materials are placed in designated, marked areas. Tools are stored in fixed locations. This organization reduces risks, increases control over on-site situations, and at the same time improves productivity and quality.
Personal protective equipment is used consistently. I saw workers instinctively checking their helmets, safety glasses, and harnesses before starting activities. They do this without being reminded. They do it for their own safety. Respect for one’s own health is visible at every step. I did not encounter anyone starting risky activities without full equipment and without first checking the work area.
Site managers focus on prevention and are aware of the hazards of each execution stage. Information is updated daily. Short morning briefings are clear and precise. Every worker knows what risks they are exposed to on that day. I saw teams discussing concrete scenarios. They ask themselves what can be avoided and how they can work more safely. This approach reduces incidents and increases trust within the team.
All these elements are not the result of chance. They are the result of a clear direction. Investments in equipment, training, and procedures are constant. In Germany, safety is treated as part of daily activity. It is not a separate aspect, but integrated into every decision.
What I saw there also helps us in Romania. We use the same principles. We have eliminated the idea that things can “just work out somehow.” We organize sites similarly. We invest in safe equipment. We train people with clear explanations. We show them the impact of their decisions on their own health. Everyone must understand what they risk and what they gain through a simple, correct decision. We talk with teams at the start of each day, identify risks, and eliminate them as much as possible. These actions are not costs. They are investments.
The most important aspect remains the human being. Any company depends on the people who actually work on site. You can have high-performance machinery and quality materials, but if the worker is not protected, everything stops. That is why we make efforts to provide safe and as good as possible working conditions. We want every worker to return home safely to their family, no matter how difficult the day on the construction site was. This is the responsibility of each of us.
The German model confirms that a strong safety culture leads to better results. We take inspiration from what works and apply it in a real way on construction sites in Romania. We do this for our teams. Safety is the foundation of performance. It is the direction we follow every day.
Author: Bolea Silviu Sebastian – Health & Safety Manager, RCBB Gruppe