Effective site management is key to smooth day-to-day work at Zeebrugge
Steen Lanng Jensen’s kingdom is a 16,000 m2 compound on the dockside at Zeebrugge. Smelling of salt air and diesel, and loud with the cries of gulls, the Bligh Bank pre-assembly site is a temporary workplace for around 35 people.
As Site Manager, Steen is responsible for everything not directly connected with erecting turbines – and notably for the health and safety of his workforce whenever they are ashore. “We have about 20 people in preassembly, another five or six in precommissioning, and eight or ten office staff,” he says.
“I get to the site at about 6.15 in the morning, ready for the toolbox talk at 7.00. We talk to the team about what’s happening that day, not forgetting to cover safety.”
“Then at 8.00 I meet the client to discuss our activities for the following day. The rest of the day is taken up with visitors, safety walks, looking after purchasing and so on.”
Steen has been with Vestas almost continuously since 1995. He rates Zeebrugge highly as a place to spend time: “nice place, very friendly, and everyone speaks English.”
More importantly, Zeebrugge is also a good place to work. “On the previous project, for instance, we had to use the shipyard’s own cranes and staff, which slowed us down at times. At Zeebrugge we have much more flexibility.”
One innovation at Zeebrugge is to move as much machinery as possible on wheeled trailers rather than by crane. “I designed the site so that there is a logical flow of materials from one place to the next,” Steen says.
“Using trailers reduces hazards from lifting, but also makes the work go more smoothly.” Meaning that the Bligh Bank project is progressing really well.
