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Sr. EHS Coordinator & Site Manager

"Of course I can step in when necessary. But I always do my best to meet people at eye level and create mutual respect with the crew on site."

This is how Dan Steen Larsen describes his work as a safety coordinator through MI Support.

"Having a pragmatic and collaborative approach to security is, to me, far more effective than being a police officer," he emphasizes. "So that's how I work."

Anything is possible

Currently, Dan is working with COWI to complete the construction of the Bodil Eskesen Center for the Capital Region of Denmark, where he has been involved almost since the beginning 4 years ago.

On the project, he describes his main job as "making things run and catching what falls between the ladders."

Also in the literal sense, as can happen when many different professional groups are working at the same time.

Overall, Dan has a tendency to take on many different tasks and has therefore also been responsible for access control and the alarms on the project.

"I have the ability - or commitment, if you like - to embrace a lot. Anything is possible, that's my attitude," he explains.

The importance of good relationships

"Safety is rarely a point that generates a lot of enthusiasm on a construction site. That's why it all goes a little easier when I can establish a good relationship with the craftsmen and site management

He therefore aims to be 80% on site and 20% in the office during a working day.

"At the same time, together with the site management, I'm very interested in recognizing people for their good work - whether it's with the hot dog stand, ice cream truck, or whatever else we've had. I can feel that it makes a big difference to the collaboration on site."

A different approach to safety

Dan has been part of MI Support for 15 years, but a career path in the security field wasn't always on the cards.

Dan originally trained as a bicycle mechanic and has also been involved in demolition work. For the past 10 years, however, safety has been the main focus of his working life.

"What sets me apart from many other safety managers is that I don't have an academic background. Of course, I have the occupational health and safety coordinator training, but beyond that I don't have a background as a building constructor or similar," he explains.

On the other hand, Dan has been part of the crew himself and has experienced the whole safety aspect from a different perspective.

"An insight I consider a great advantage to have in my work as a safety coordinator to this day."

The importance of good relationships

"Safety is rarely a point that generates a lot of enthusiasm on a construction site. That's why it all goes a little easier when I can establish a good relationship with the craftsmen and site management

He therefore aims to be 80% on site and 20% in the office during a working day.

"At the same time, together with the site management, I'm very interested in recognizing people for their good work - whether it's with the hot dog stand, ice cream truck, or whatever else we've had. I can feel that it makes a big difference to the collaboration on site."