Pembroke power station construction team receives award for outstanding health and safety

The Alstom-led team that built the 2160 MW Pembroke gas-fired power station for RWE has been recognised for its outstanding health and safety work during the construction process.

The team received the National and Joint Council for the Engineering Construction Industry (NJC) Award for Health and Safety in Engineering Construction, the first time it has been given since July 2011.

The judging committee highlighted that the project was genuinely outstanding in its engagement with safety representatives, and that there was a genuine appetite among senior managers to get out onto the site in order to fully understand what was really going on at the operational workface.

Steve Burgin, Vice President of Sales for Northern and Central Europe for Alstom, said: Its fantastic to get this sort of recognition from a respected industry body like the NJC, and its made even more special that this is the first time the award has been given in almost two years. That shows that its a hard award to win, but we were able to show that our teamwork with RWE, our contractors, the workforce, and the local community led to a strong culture and, ultimately, a great safety record.

Simon Jameson, RWE Project Director for UK New Build CCGT, said: Its great to be recognised for what was such a successful project. It really was a case of everyone working together from the management teams to the project teams to the guys on the ground, and that gave us good communications and great collaboration from day one.

Brendan Stack, from the GMB, said: Recognition from the NJC is greatly appreciated. Working safely is the number one priority for the industry, and transparency and openness were the keys to the success of the Pembroke project, especially the health and safety aspects. The structure from the beginning was right, with senior stewards playing an important role in building respect between the workforce and the project management team.

 Jock Simpson, Executive Chairman of the NJC, said: The engineering construction industry is difficult and can be dangerous. Safety must be our first consideration, and the NJC Award celebrates where clients, contractors and the workforce work together exceptionally well at managing safety. The award, which is only given to companies who excel in safety in the engineering construction industry has not been awarded since July 2011.

Pembroke is the largest gas-fired power station in the UK and consists of five generating units that can produce enough for the electricity needs of around three million homes. The power station was officially opened in September 2012.

Press contact:

Jonathan Smith  
Tel +44 (0)1788 545602 or +44 (0)7801 775650
jonathan.smith@chq.alstom.com 

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