"Safety is an interactive process." This is Cees van Leeuwen's firm conviction. He is one of the five safety experts of the Botlek Industrial Park. "I have first and foremost an advisory and monitoring task. I check whether all operations are in accordance with the rules. There are of course legal regulations, but there are also internal site rules everyone must observe.

In addition to his operational tasks, such as making risk inventories, the safety expert also plays a key role in maintaining an appropriate safety level. For instance, he assists with the drawing up of safety work permits and frequently visits the various workplaces. All these tasks are carried out in close consultation with the management of the various plants on the site."

Safety experts do not always have the same education and training. Usually their backgrounds are highly diverse. Van Leeuwen comes from the site's fire brigade. "The job has many facets and that strongly appeals to me. One moment you are busy with reviewing a lifting plan and the other moment you're working on an accident report." As in recent years various plants have been transferred to different owners, good communications between the various parties are essential. Here too the safety expert plays an important role. He is the link between the regulations and daily practice.