EP06 | Lab safety: safety in between chemicals

EP06 | Lab safety: safety in between chemicals

In Kiwa’s Berlin laboratory, safety is the result of many small, deliberate decisions made every day. In this episode, Ufuk Bayram, Nele Schosser, and Jan Zander share their experiences working with polymers, chemicals, metal and a range of specialized equipment. They discuss the importance of following safety data sheets, selecting the right gloves for each chemical, and ensuring every sample is labelled correctly. The conversation highlights how knowledge, teamwork, and the willingness to speak up after incidents all contribute to a safer working environment. You’ll hear: * How polymer coatings are tested for real-life conditions like heat, moisture, pressure and chemicals. * Why safety data sheets, labels and handovers matter before testing begins. * What small incidents in the lab can teach teams about improving safety. Listen to the episode and look for one small improvement you can make today to keep your workplace safe. ---------------------------------------------------- Safe Together is a podcast by Kiwa [https://www.kiwa.com/] | In collaboration with De Praeters [https://www.depraeters.be/].

EP05 | Drones: Safe work from a distance

In this episode, we explore how drones are reshaping the way Kiwa conducts inspections. Bart Daniëls, co-founder of Skyebase and a member of the Kiwa Drone Competence Center, joins host Ellen to discuss the advantages of drone technology in keeping people out of tanks, confined spaces, and other high-risk environments. Bart explains that while drones offer new possibilities for safer and more efficient inspections, technology does not replace responsibility. He highlights the ongoing importance of thorough preparation, obtaining the right permits, comprehensive training, and having clear emergency plans in place. Human decision-making remains at the heart of safe drone operations, ensuring that every inspection meets Kiwa’s high standards for safety and quality. You’ll hear: * How drones are used for visual inspections, wall thickness measurements, emission measurements and 3D scans. * Why drones can reduce exposure to confined spaces and working at height. * What can still go wrong during drone operations, from hardware failure to birds and lost connection. * Why pilots, inspectors and clients still need clear procedures and the Power to Stop. Extra context for a term mentioned in the episode: * A drone payload is any equipment or extra weight a drone carries, such as a camera, sensor, or package, to perform a specific task. ---------------------------------------------------- Safe Together is a podcast by Kiwa [https://www.kiwa.com/] | In collaboration with De Praeters [https://www.depraeters.be/].

EP04 | Letting the Trade Winds Blow: Wind Turbine Inspections

What is it like to work more than 100 meters above the ground? In this episode, we join Nelson Lima, a wind turbine inspector from Portugal, as he shares his perspective on the unique world of turbine inspections. Together with host Ellen, Nelson discusses the realities of climbing tall structures, the importance of lifelines and rescue kits, and the challenges posed by extreme weather. Nelson also highlights the physical and mental preparation required for working at height. At Kiwa, we know that safety is not just about strength—it is about awareness, thorough training, and the confidence to use the Power to Stop when needed. This episode offers a clear look at the expertise and responsibility that define this essential work. You’ll hear: * What it feels like to climb and work inside a wind turbine. * Why lifelines, ladders, hoists and rescue kits are part of daily safety. * How weather, height, fatigue and access routes influence the decision to work or stop. * Why being fit for work is both physical and mental. Extra context for a term mentioned in the episode: * The nacelle of a wind turbine is the housing at the top that contains the key components, such as the generator and gearbox, which convert wind into electricity. Listen to the episode and ask yourself: am I physically and mentally ready for the work I am doing today? ---------------------------------------------------- Safe Together is a podcast by Kiwa [https://www.kiwa.com/] | In collaboration with De Praeters [https://www.depraeters.be/].

EP03 | Designing safety into the lab

In this episode, host Ellen visits Kiwa Technology in the Netherlands for a tour that proves one thing fast: safety starts before the test even begins. He’s joined by Nadia Luijsterburg-Vleugels, a PhD chemical engineer and elastomer engineer, who walks us through real lab setups and the safety decisions behind them. From redesigning a test setup so risks become visible, to dealing with unexpected chemical reactions, to managing an odorant test that triggered concerns outside the building, this is about thinking ahead and communicating clearly when stakes are high. You’ll hear: 1. How a design improvement made a test safer and easier to understand 2. What happens when a “safer” replacement chemical creates new risks 3. Why openness between labs can protect people across the industry 4. How communication can prevent panic and keep a site safe Extra context for a few terms mentioned in the episode: 1. Elastomers: rubber like materials that can stretch and recover, often used in sealing systems where leakage risk matters. 2. REACH list: EU regulation controlling hazardous chemicals, which can lead to substances being restricted or phased out. 3. Round robin test: multiple labs run the same test to compare results and improve reliability and safety practices. ---------------------------------------------------- Safe Together is a podcast by Kiwa [https://www.kiwa.com/] | Production by De Praeters [https://www.depraeters.be/].

EP02 | Safety leadership that people can actually feel

What does good safety leadership look like when no one is watching? Host Ellen talks with Matthew Courtney, Kiwa’s Chief Operating Officer for the Americas and Asia Pacific regions, about visible leadership, trust, and creating habits that keep people safe in real life. This episode is packed with practical leadership lessons, from how safety culture evolved over decades to why reporting small hazards matters more than most people think. Matthew also shares a concrete example of changing industry practice by redesigning equipment that kept injuring workers. You’ll hear: 1. How safety expectations changed over time and why that matters today 2. Why “lead by example” is not a slogan, it’s the job 3. How to build a reporting culture without blame 4. Why Power to Stop is good for people, clients, and business Extra context for a couple of terms mentioned in this episode: 1. Safe T Impact: Kiwa’s digital safety platform that supports hazard reporting, leadership safety walks, action tracking, trend analysis, and shared insights to make safety more proactive and collaborative. 2. Construction Science: based in Australia and part of Kiwa since 2022, specializing in advanced testing, inspection, and certification for construction materials and techniques. ---------------------------------------------------- Safe Together is a podcast by Kiwa [https://www.kiwa.com/] | Production by De Praeters [https://www.depraeters.be/].