Week of 18 September
1. R U OK? Day (Australia)
Last Thursday, our Australian colleagues came together to talk about mental health! In honour of the R U OK? Day, they were joined by Dan Allen and Ed Ross, the driving forces behind the social impact workwear brand TradeMutt. As you can see in the picture below, they’re reinventing high-vis workwear in a fun and innovative way, to become a casual conversation starter and to remind everyone to reach out and support one another.
The annual organisation of the R U OK? Day reflects our commitment to building a mentally healthy workplace where our people work and go home feeling well every day. This important day shines the light on mental health and well-being, breaks down stigmas, and encourages conversations that could save a life.
At BESIX, our employees' well-being is at the heart of what we do. So let’s not forget to check in on ourselves. Shout-out to our incredible Watpac team for their dedication to this important cause!
2. Last section of concrete poured on the roof of Rotterdam’s A16 tunnel (The Netherlands)
Exciting news! The Rottemeren tunnel project has reached a significant milestone as the last section of the roof was successfully poured near Rottekade. This impressive tunnel spans 2.2 kilometers and is divided into 25-meter-long and 30-meter-wide sections, with around 610 cubic meters of concrete poured per section. An amazing collaborative effort of Rijkswaterstaat, Dura Vermeer, Mobilis TBI, Croonwolter&dros, BESIX NL, Van Oord, Rebel, and John Laing! Together, they will continue to shape the A16 Rotterdam project.
3. KiddyBuild goes international: BESIX Foundation's compelling partnership with CavoEquiva (Ivory Coast)
We move to Abidjan, where BESIX Foundation and our local project team are carrying on an impactful partnership with the local NGO CavoEquiva, dedicated to defending human rights and promoting well-being, particularly of children and women. CavoEquiva's commendable work includes operating a community transit centre for vulnerable young girls in Côte d'Ivoire and raising awareness about women's and children's rights. They are currently welcoming 80 young girls and women.
Last week, our team in Abidjan organised a KiddyBuild session with them, the first one outside of Belgium, to introduce these young girls and women to various trades within the construction industry. This praiseworthy initiative contributes significantly to their empowerment and education, as well as exemplifies BESIX's commitment to uplifting marginalised communities.
Congrats to BESIX Foundation who developed the KiddyBuild project and the board game used for the sessions, and of course to all our volunteers at BESIX Ivory Coast who animated them!
4. Zayed National Museum (United Arab Emirates)
The Zayed National Museum project in Abu Dhabi proudly nears the finish line with its substantial steel structure almost complete. MEP and steel works are on the verge of finalisation, and plans for the forthcoming façade work are well underway. As per schedule, the temporary tower in Wing 3 has been dismantled. Preparations are underway for external scaffolding for the façade work, pending safety clearances and drawing approvals. Additionally, the Time Gallery, a tribute to HH Sheikh Zayed's remarkable life, is taking shape, while concrete works in the main building are successfully finished. Finishing works for the wall lining have begun, with the team working hard to ensure that every detail is perfect. We are impatient to see the finished product! These accomplishments showcase the dedication of our Zayed National Museum team. Congrats and keep it going Abu Dhabi team!
And then this... Franki Foundations' remarkable annual Safety Day! (Belgium)
Franki Foundations’ Safety Day is a resounding annual event, underscoring BESIX Group’s unwavering commitment to safety. Each year, site workers and operations staff spend the day in intensive training sessions, covering crucial topics like first aid, ergonomics, dangerous goods, insights on concrete, or the roles and responsibilities on a building site. They also attend presentations on safety. And of course, the day is embellished with several networking moments, enabling colleagues from Belgium, France, and the Netherlands to get to know each other better. Celebrating Safety First in an enjoyable way!
