Industry stand-outs recognised

CNC Project Management Strategic Communications Manager Scott Pearce was announced as the recipient of the APIA Young Achievement Award; industry legend Peter Tuft won the APIA Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry; and, McConnell Dowell took out two awards, namely the APIA Safety Award and the inaugural APIA Environment Award.

Young Achievement Award

APIA President Kevin Lester said that Mr Pearce had been an outstanding and energetic supporter of APIA activities over recent years and is one of the people who represent the next generation of the industry.

“Scott’s involvement with the Australian pipeline industry commenced in 2003, when he started work at Pipeline Publications Australia,” Mr Lester said.

“During his time at the company, which later became Great Southern Press (GSP), he had a large focus on the pipeline industry with The Australian Pipeliner, Pipeline Plant and Offshore and Pipelines International.

“His commitment from his commencement, and especially during his time as Editor of The Australian Pipeliner from 2006-11, was above and beyond that of a member of “˜the press’.

“His passion for the industry meant that he went to great lengths to provide a magazine that was relevant to the whole industry and showcased the linkages within industry,” said Mr Lester.

“Mr Pearce’s editorship documented in detail the history of the Australian pipeline industry for current and future generations. It remains a unique resource for the industry and ensures that the industry’s history will never be lost and can be built on by future generations of pipeline professionals.”

Mr Lester said Mr Pearce has been focused on mentoring younger people within the companies he has worked for, including GSP staff now holding senior positions, such as Tim Thompson, David Marsh and Lyndsie Mewett.

“Since joining CNC he has become an integral part of the team and has helped reshape a number of business processes and enhanced that company’s communication strategy for clients and itself. He has recently joined the Pipeline Corridor Committee and regularly helps other staff in the preparation of articles and whitepapers to communicate important issues to the industry,” said Mr Lester.

Outstanding Contribution to the Industry

The recipient of the APIA Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry, Mr Tuft, has been associated with the Australian pipeline industry for approximately 30 years. Mr Tuft is the Lead Industry Advisor for Program 4 of the Energy Pipelines Co-operative Research Centre (EPCRC), Chair of the AS2885 Part 1 committee, an independent manager of the Pipeline Operators Group incident database and has an online blog.

“Mr Tuft has a comprehensive understanding of the pipeline industry and he has been, and is, a leader in both technical areas and in pipeline safety,” said Mr Lester.

Mr Lester said Mr Tuft’s involvement with the industry as an independent facilitator for pipeline safety-management studies has contributed to the development of an understanding of pipeline safety and raising the standard of safety-management studies undertaken by the industry.

“Since establishing his own independent consultancy in the mid-1990s, Peter continues to be in high demand from industry stakeholders who engage him to advise on all things technical and, in particular, safety-management training, risk assessments, and public safety and awareness.

“His advice is regularly sought after and he has always been happy to make himself available to assist others and his availability to contribute his time and expertise is highly valued by the Association. In all aspects, Peter is a true mentor to both the current and next generations of pipeliners.

“Over many years, Peter has always been keen to progress new technologies and thought processes to keep this industry safe, and so this award is a fitting recognition for a man who has made an outstanding contribution to the Australian pipeline industry over a significant period of time,” said Mr Lester.

The APIA Safety Award

The APIA Safety Award was awarded to McConnell Dowell for its “˜Driving Safely – Journey Management and Emergency Preparedness on Mega Pipeline Projects’ plan.

Mr Lester said key factors in McConnell Dowell being chosen as the 2012 award winner included:

The Journey Management Centre created by McConnell Dowell and monitored 24/7 by at least two operators, which takes driving safety to the next level. It allows the benefits of existing systems and technologies to be fully realised, resulting in continuous monitoring of the general wellbeing of drivers and addressing the single most hazardous activity in the pipeline industry.

The Driving Safely Plan brings together prior journey risk assessment, review and approval, then full monitoring using in-vehicle management system real-time data, driver communication and GPS tracking. Most importantly, it allows for post-journey analysis and reporting to provide for continuous improvement.

The inaugural APIA Environment Award

McConnell Dowell was also the recipient of the inaugural APIA Environment Award for its “˜Environmental Compliance – Drainage, Erosion and Sediment Control Planning’ system.

Mr Lester said that McConnell Dowell’s environmental compliance system was chosen because effectively managing erosion and sediment in the construction phase of a pipeline project will go a long way towards creating a positive community attitude to Australia’s pipeline industry.

“The McConnell Dowell drainage, erosion and sediment control plan effectively addresses this issue through risk assessment and categorisation to implement the controls necessary at each location then monitor them through independent audits,” said Mr Lester.

“Backed by the APIA Code of Environmental Practice requirements, the system ensures a consistent, detailed and verifiable process to not only demonstrate compliance, but to also provide detailed drawings or plans to educate right-of-way construction teams creating a positive culture of protecting the environment.”

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