The inaugural Transpower STAR Safety Awards were held at Te Papa in August .  The attendees included the Transpower Board and a broad cross section of the power industry.
There were 7 STAR award categories and Mainzeal were winners in 2 categories.

Category: Top Depot, Site or Office 
Winner: HVDC Pole 3 Project at Benmore; Siemens, Mainzeal and Transpower.
Transpower’s award citation reads;
The award recognises the best depot, site or office that demonstrates a proactive and collective approach to safety improvement, including an exemplary safety record.
The Benmore site won this award on the basis of the overall excellent quality and thoroughness of the health and safety culture on site. A number of initiatives have been installed on site, responding to the specific requirements and conditions at Benmore.
The judges described Benmore as a standout site. “ From the moment you enter the site to when you leave, all aspects of safety are anticipated and addressed. The site is beyond excellent, with facilities and practices of exceptionally high standard which clearly demonstrates the importance on onsite safety- and an approach to safety that is shared by all staff managers and site workers.

Category:Best Safety Innovation
Winner: HVDC Pole 3 Team, for work at Benmore and Haywards.
Transpower’s award  citation reads;
The award recognises either a team or individual’s safety innovation: the application of an approach, device or process to minimise safety risk in the field.
The HVDC Pole 3 team came up with several innovative and practical solutions to a number of health and safety challenges at both the Benmore and Hayward Sites.
The summer heat is a challenge at Benmore, but information on heat stress and how to treat  it is provided to workers.
A shower block was installed to allow cool showers and drink bottles and electrolytes are provided. Extra monitoring of workers and breaks was done when temperatures got above 30degrees. Likewise the team recognised Benmore’s isolation from a medical centre and established a fully equipped first aid room on site.
The team also recognised the need to establish a hazardous goods storage area at both Benmore and Haywards and undertake appropriate training.
They initiated a “yellow card” system to easily report hazards and near misses around the construction site at Haywards and established a number of safety stations as a one-stop shop for safety information and equipment.
The achievements of the site team impressed the judges so much they described Benmore as “The Best”: an exemplar of safety leadership, second to none, and quite possibly the best site in the whole industry.