“Everyone home safe at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about. That’s nothing new for Mourik, because safety is in our DNA. We don’t wait until something happens; we critically assess our own work: how do we keep people out of the line of fire? How can we do more non-entry work? That mindset is present throughout the organization, from the design office to the job site. That’s why we continuously invest in technology that makes the work safer and more sustainable. The StoneAge robot for bundle cleaning is a good example, as is the CatSpider suction arm, which allows us to unload reactors without anyone having to go inside. In collaboration with our customers, we determine what works best. We’ve even developed a scan for this: what type of reactor do you have, what options do we see, and what is most effective? Customers see that we take safety seriously at Mourik, and that’s why they take us seriously.”

You can’t learn safety from a book
“For years I traveled the world for Mourik International, cleaning out reactors, so I know what it’s like to work in confined spaces and how dangerous that can be. You end up in a tight space that’s filled with nitrogen. You’re constantly aware of the dangers around you. Nothing ever happened to me, but it shaped my safety awareness. Even now, when I walk through a factory, I’m very conscious of what’s happening around me. That kind of awareness isn’t something you learn from a book. I benefit from it too, because I can coach young colleagues at work based on my own experience. It’s because of my experience that my younger colleagues listen to me and take my advice seriously.”

A Mourik story
“Safety isn’t my story, it’s a Mourik story. Within that, I want to share my experience and knowledge. In the coming years, we’re going to automate even more. People will remain a crucial link, but we can convert many manual and high-risk tasks into technology, making the work safer and more appealing in the long run. That’s necessary, because if you do nothing, you’ll be left behind as others pass you by. So, innovate! At Mourik Industry, we have an effective triad of New Product Development, sustainability, and my part: making sure it works in practice. At the same time, people’s behavior remains the most important factor for safety. You have to take the time to explain things, to coach, and to help people adjust their behavior. In five years, I hope to have passed on my knowledge and skills to the new generation, and to have contributed to innovations that make the work healthier and safer.”