Prepared for anything

In order to do his job effectively, Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator Okan Özgenç needs to be prepared. “No two days are the same,” he says. “I have my planned inspections, of course, but it’s not unusual that something happens that requires me to adapt my entire schedule. It’s certainly a role that keeps you on your toes!”

At the heart of Damen

Much of his time, Okan says, is spent at the heart of things in the six shipyards he is responsible for. “I spend much of my day on the shop floor, walking through the work areas, talking with the teams, and identifying any possible hazards. This way, we can develop solutions to ensure that production can continue, safely, at all times.”

Keen eye

And that, he explains, requires a keen eye for detail. “Recently, I’ve been working on the preparation of vessel-based job safety analyses (JSAs). With this, we’re analysing every single stage of the production of a ship, step by step, so that we can identify any risks that may be encountered in advance.”

Combining observation and experience

It’s a task that requires input from a variety of colleagues. “It’s far more than a document-preparation process. The whole production team is involved. We build an analysis that combines my observations with their experience. That way, we create a resource that is of genuine use in guiding safe practice.”

Towards a common goal

This inter-departmental cooperation typifies Damen culture, says Okan, and forms a key part of his role. “One of the first things I noticed when I came here was that everyone is working towards a common goal. It’s because of this that we have progressed in making safe working practices  sustainable at Damen. For me, success is not just about solving a problem, but about making a safety-oriented mindset second nature for the whole team.”

Trust and teamwork

“Occupational safety is strengthened through trust and teamwork. One of my most important tasks is to communicate with my colleagues, listening to what they have to say and developing our safety culture together. That being the case, the most rewarding thing for me has been seeing colleagues, over time, begin to notice risks themselves and take precautions of their own. Knowing that I have helped people to become more aware of safety gives me a lot of satisfaction.”

Stay curious

The teamwork makes Damen a good place to build a career, Okan says, especially for those open to broadening their experience. “Damen offers a working environment where you can work alongside people from different disciplines, sharing your experience while also learning new things. Succeeding here is not only about technical knowledge but also about being able to communicate, take responsibility, and act as part of a team. “There is a strong culture here where people are able to develop both professionally and personally. My advice for anyone considering a career at Damen is: ‘stay curious’.”