01 Organisatorische aspecten
 >  Consciously making mobile calls
Discussion > Discuss this with your colleagues!
  • At work I only use my smartphone for the GO! app.
  • For personal matters I only make calls during my break.
  • As the driver of a moving vehicle, I do not hold onto any mobile electronic equipment (smartphone, tablet, etc).
  • When I use my smartphone, I always stand or sit in a safe place.
Introduction

We are generally aware of the benefits of the smartphone’s appearance on the market. In fact, it has become impossible to do without. One of its benefits is that we are accessible at any time of the day/workday. It is virtually expected that everyone has access to a mobile phone. As a result, we are making calls and sending messages everywhere, even in machine cabins and at construction sites. However, the smartphone also has some serious drawbacks.

Making use of a smartphone while driving and working is dangerous. It is important that we are not distracted while driving and working with machinery. This is because this endangers your own safety, that of your colleagues and the local community (third parties).

The use of a smartphone/phone is permitted at a construction site under the following circumstances:

  • For reporting accidents and emergencies to the person primarily responsible for calling in the emergency services.
  • For reporting machine or equipment malfunctions that impede the progress of the production process.
  • For calling up or ordering materials or raw materials that are processed onsite (e.g. delivery of rebar, cement, concrete and the like).
Risks > What can happen?
  • You are distracted due to the use of the smartphone and consequently you operate equipment with insufficient awareness;
  • Dangerous situations may arise, for example by making calls in the proximity of equipment;
  • While making your call, you may end up in a danger zone (walking while you are on the phone);
  • When you call an employee working on construction, he/she may be distracted by the call.
Measures > What you must do
  • Stand still when you are making a call to avoid falling or tripping.
  • Make your call from a safe place.
  • Do not operate any machinery while making your call or using your smartphone.
  • Keep the call short!
  • Ask the person you are calling whether it is safe for you to call him/her.
  • Limit your calls to business calls only (e.g. for calling up materials, reporting malfunctions or incidents and accidents).
  • Make personal calls during scheduled rest periods and breaks.
  • You are prohibited from holding your smartphone in your hand while driving!

Your mobile telephone must be off:

During high-risk activities (hoisting/lifting, working at height, etc) and in situations in which you can endanger yourself, others and potentially your surroundings. When the client’s regulations prohibit the use of mobile telephones. In an environment in which your mobile telephone can disrupt electronic equipment. In an explosive environment, for example with chemical pipes, confined spaces, etc.

 

Supplement about participating in Teams meetings while driving:

Participating in Teams meetings while driving is not acceptable. Various questions were received about this. What is and what is not permitted for meetings or calls while driving?

The following applies to the driver:

Permitted: one-on-one handsfree calls.
Not permitted: using
the Teams app or similar applications, such as Zoom and WhatsApp, to establish a connection. This is not permitted even if you deactivate the video connection! Actual practice shows that this results in a significantly higher level of distraction. We consider this unacceptable for safety reasons.
 



Tips > For more information

View this video!

After viewing this video (sometimes with laughable scenes), think about what you have seen and whether you recognize yourself or others in this video.

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