Prysmian, Siemens Win “Sword of Honour” Award

The consortium between Prysmian and Siemens, currently constructing the Western HVDC Link project, has received the “Sword of Honour” award from the British Safety Council (BSC).

The 2015 Sword of Honour scheme was open to specific business units and sites that achieved a five star outcome – the highest score – in the Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit between August 1, 2014 and July 31, 2015.

The audit, carried out by BSC, measured performance against key safety management indicators, identified areas of positive/negative practice and provided a structured approach for continuous improvement.

The audit specification model included two important safety management indicators which are continually assessed throughout the audit process: leadership and commitment at all levels of the organization, and the continuous improvement.

Claudia Castiglione, HSE Director PowerLink, said: “We are proud to receive such a valuable award and we would like to dedicate it to all of the people working hard for the implementation of this highly strategic project: managers and professionals involved in health and safety management, operators working in the construction sites, sub-contractors and, last but not least, our project management team. This award is a clear sign that we are on the right track to pursue excellence also as far as this important topic is concerned.”

The Western Link, a £1 billion joint venture between National Grid and Scottish Power Transmission, is a 420-kilometre high voltage direct current submarine link between Hunterston in Scotland and Deeside in Wales.

The link will allow new sources of renewable energy to connect into the existing national grid by bypassing existing bottlenecks, and will transmit up to 2,200 MW of electricity, sufficient to meet the needs of around two million people.

The British Safety Council Sword of Honour recognises commitment to excellent health and safety management standards.