What does the profession of prevention advisor actually involve? In the podcast series SafetyTalk from the Belgian knowledge platform Prebes, Vincent De Busschere, prevention advisor at an international fitness chain, talks about his day-to-day work — a role that elsewhere is often comparable to that of an HSE manager or safety officer. De Busschere deliberately chose this sector out of a personal affinity with sport.
What does a prevention advisor do?
The core of the job consists of site visits to different locations, where workstation analyses are carried out and conversations with employees take place. Based on this, the prevention advisor maps out risks and draws up reports with concrete recommendations. Follow-up visits ensure the results are tracked: are the proposed measures actually implemented?
Safety is not just checked afterwards, but is factored in from the design stage onward. De Busschere works together with builders to thoroughly analyse evacuation options, fire safety and technical installations in new locations right from the design phase. The employer also uses digital systems that automate, among other things, inspections and reporting.
What challenges come up?
A recurring theme is how safety standards can be maintained when an organisation grows quickly and opens new locations. According to De Busschere, this requires clear procedures, regular communication and awareness among both management and staff.
Besides physical safety, mental well-being is also addressed: employees can turn to confidential counsellors or external services for support when needed. According to De Busschere, the satisfaction in the profession lies mainly in visibly achieving improvements and seeing safety awareness grow within the organisation.
Context
In Belgium, the prevention advisor is legally established in the Code on the Well-being at Work, as part of the internal service for prevention and protection at work. Among other things, the Code requires an annual report, analyses and checks on the purchase and use of work equipment and personal or collective protective equipment, and the investigation of occupational accidents. In smaller companies, that last task may be entrusted to an external service for prevention and protection at work if the internal prevention advisor does not have the required training. The tasks covered in the podcast — site visits, workstation analyses, reporting and follow-up — therefore closely match the statutory set of duties. Elsewhere, a comparable role usually exists under the name HSE manager or safety officer.
Source: SafetyTalk – aflevering 41: Een dag uit het leven van… de preventieadviseur bij Basic-fit, 28-09-2026
Additional research: FPS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue (Belgium) – Code on the Well-being at Work (tasks of the prevention advisor)
