SHEQ Programs in the Crane Industry: Insights from Wim Sarens
Wim Sarens, CEO of the world's largest private crane company, provided comprehensive insights into the successful implementation of SHEQ programs (Safety, Health, Environment, Quality) at the World Crane and Transport Summit 2025 in Dublin. With more than 6,000 employees from over 80 nations, Sarens faces the daily challenge of effectively implementing a global safety management system.
The Complexity of Global Safety Programs
The implementation of a comprehensive SHEQ program is significantly complicated by the international orientation of modern crane companies. Different cultures, languages, and legal frameworks in various countries present major challenges to companies. Sarens emphasizes that centrally coordinated safety standards are considerably more difficult to establish in this context than in nationally limited organizations.
Despite these hurdles, Sarens has achieved impressive results: Over 37 years, the rate of downtime caused by accidents has been reduced by 99.8 percent to 0.3. This statistic demonstrates that ambitious safety goals are achievable even under difficult conditions.
The Goal: Zero Accidents
Sarens pursues the goal of complete accident-free operations. In his keynote at WCTS, he emphasizes that this is "a long journey with many learning opportunities." As a former management consultant at McKinsey & Company, Sarens brings a structured approach to organizational improvements.
The foundation of his philosophy is a quote from Swiss psychologist Carl Jung: "Who looks outward dreams; who looks inward awakens." This maxim is reflected in Sarens' approach: to improve safety, companies must first critically analyze their own processes rather than relying on external models.
Internal Analysis as Foundation
The key to effective SHEQ programs lies in honest self-assessment. Sarens emphasizes that each organization is responsible for its own safety culture – external standards can only serve as points of reference. This requires:
- Systematic analysis of all internal company processes and procedures
- Transparent recording of safety incidents and near misses
- Continuous training and awareness-raising of all employees
- Regular review and adaptation of safety policies
Relevance for Other Companies in the Industry
Sarens' insights are not only relevant for large, international corporations. Specialized crane companies such as Spierings Mobile Cranes can also benefit from this structured approach. The principles of a robust SHEQ program – combined with digital solutions for telemetry and monitoring – enable companies of any size to continuously improve their safety standards.
In an industry that increasingly undertakes more complex and demanding projects, accident prevention is not only a moral obligation but also an economic factor. Companies with demonstrably high safety standards are preferred in tenders and for international projects.
Conclusion: Safety as a Competitive Advantage
Wim Sarens' experiences show that SHEQ programs are only successful when they are anchored as integral components of corporate culture. The impressive results at Sarens are the result of decades of consistent work on safety standards, not the outcome of individual initiatives. For all companies in the crane industry, the principle holds true: investments in comprehensive safety programs pay off through reduced accident rates, higher employee satisfaction, and increased competitiveness.
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