Safety Awards - Zululand Region Features Prominently

The Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal 48th Annual regional Safety Awards dinner was held on Friday 7 October 2011 at the Association’s new look premises in Westville Durban. This marked the second occasion on which this prestigious gala event was held at the Master Builders Centre with close to 200 guests in attendance.  

In 2011, 48 entries from all corners of the province were received and judging took some five weeks to complete. Sites were audited on more than 20 different elements consisting of more than 1 500 sub elements. Each facet consists of at least 30 different legal aspects which each entrant has to be compliant with. The majority of the sites entered scored in excess of 90 percent. The disabling injury frequency rate (DIFR) was also extremely favourable; with the majority of the sites operating at a DIFR of zero.

Three construction companies operating in the Zululand region featured prominently on the night by scooping seven awards between them. 

Aveng Grinaker-LTA Richards Bay were announced as winners for work on the University of Zululand Lecture Theatre which fell into the category of projects ranging from R20 million to R50 million. Paul Muir, site agent who worked on this project was also handed the very prestigious Safety Person of the Year Award.

Local Empangeni contractor Kevin Dicks was delighted that his company Dicks Construction received recognition in three different categories. For contracts ranging from R20 million to R50 million their work on Eskom Emadadeni was highly commended. They came third in the R5million to R20million category for their Toyota McCarthy Empangeni dealership project and also received third place for Plant Yard Safety.

WBHO received Highly Commended recognition in two categories, firstly R50 million to R120million for the Bay Hospital site as well as in R200 million to R500million category, for work on the Lower Umfolozi District War Memorial Hospital. Both are Zululand based projects.

It is extremely rewarding to have our Zululand members receive recognition for their unrelenting commitment towards the wellbeing of their staff.  On construction sites adherence to standards stipulated by the OHS act prevents harm as well as loss of life and Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal is exceedingly proud, that a resolute culture of compliance exists among members throughout the province.

Paula Leah | Zululand Regional Manager