APIA president Mark Harper told delegates to the organisation’s national conference - being held on the Gold Coast - the award recognised SEA Gas’ Safety & Environmental Achiever Incentive Scheme.

“This scheme aims to recognise and reward individuals who contribute towards the reduction of workplace injuries and give rise to environmental improvements by recognising and reporting unsafe conditions in the workplace, and suggesting workplace improvements that will benefit either safety or the environment,” Harper said.

Entry into the scheme is automatic following the submission of an incident or hazard alert to SEA Gas and is open to all SEA Gas employees and contractors, sub-contractors and service providers who are engaged by SEA Gas.

Delco Australia was also nominated for the award by Alinta Asset Management for its outstanding safety performance on the South Gippsland Natural Gas Pipeline Project, in particular for the difficult area between the Bass River and the Regulator Station at Korumburra.

“This 18-kilometre section of the 65-kilometre pipeline consisted of undulating dairy pasture,” Harper said.

“The average slope along the section was 17.5 percent, with a maximum occurring at an area affectionately known by the crews as Barnacles Hill.

“The encountered gradients at this location were in excess of 49.2 percent and the achievements of Delco’s crews in this 500-metre section alone can only be described as outstanding.

“Throughout constructing and returning the land to its original condition, Delco’s safety program and record were excellent.”