Builders Awarded For Safety Excellence

Builders Awarded for Safety Excellence

Statement by Mr Wilhelm Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer

Master Builders Australia, in partnership with the Federal Safety Commissioner, proudly announced the 2009 winners of the National Federal Safety Commissioner's Awards for Occupational Health and Safety Excellence at Master Builders' National Awards presentation at Conrad Jupiters on the Gold Coast on Saturday 7 November 2009.

Mr Wilhelm Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer of Master Builders Australia said, "The safety of workers in the building and construction industry is of paramount importance to Master Builders and its members."

In congratulating the winners, Mr Harnisch said, "Master Builders Australia is proud to present this prestigious award in conjunction with the Federal Safety Commissioner."

Federal Safety Commissioner's Award for Occupational Health and Safety Excellence, Commercial Richard Crookes Constructions - South Coast Correctional Centre- New South Wales

The South Coast Correctional centre project sought to change the health and safety culture in construction, and is an excellent example of improving safety culture from the ground up. Richard Crookes recognised that they were undertaking large scale construction in an area usually limited to a smaller scale of construction activity. They used pre-project risk workshops to identify inadequate supervision and working at heights as major concerns. Richard Crookes undertook targeted training, introduced processes for working with subcontractors to improve safe work method statements and identified targets for indigenous workers and apprentices.

Federal Safety Commissioner's Award for Occuptional Health and Safety Excellence, Civil/Infrastructure Leighton Abigroup Joint Venture - Gateway Upgrade Project- Queensland

The Leightons Abigroup Gateway Bridge Upgrade project demonstrated a keen commitment to workplace health and safety. Initiatives adopted on the project included a fitness for work policy and a rewards and recognition scheme for good safety practices. As part of a wider mentoring program, regular interviews were conducted with young workers on the project to ensure that any health and safety issues were raised. A particular initiative of the project saw the inclusion of subcontractors on the project's safety leadership group. This led to the strong engagement of subcontractors in all things safety related.


For further information contact:

Wilhelm Harnisch: Tel 02 6202 8888, Mobile 0402 039 039

SOURCE: Master Builders Australia