Vector 2009 Safety Award for Otahuhu Transmission Stations: "Working safely is the Transfield Services way"

Transmissions Stations Otahuhu mechanical fitter, Richard (Dickie) Burch has received Vector’s 2009 Safety Award in recognition of his outstanding management of the infrastructure network’s Central Business District tunnel and all its rail activities.

A multi-network infrastructure company which owns and operates a range of energy and technology businesses and assets, Vector Energy annually calls for the nomination of individuals or teams who do an outstanding job in the safety arena.

These nominations are open to both Vector employees and its subcontractors. Dickie was nominated by Performance Manager Steve McDonald.

“Of all the individuals whom I deal with, across the contracts I oversee, I felt that Dickie is a standout which is why I put his nomination forward at our annual safety day award ceremony,” explains Steve.

“The stringent safety requirements of the Railways Act and Vector's Rail Safety System are not easy to manage.”

“Dickie has done a great job dealing with this and external assessments carried out by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) have passed without any issue. This has ensured Vector's Rail License has remained unblemished.”

Since December 2000, our Electrical Services Transmissions Stations service centre at Otahuhu has held the maintenance contract for Vector’s CBD reinforcement tunnel.

The tunnel extends over 9km from Penrose substation to Liverpool Street and Hobson Street in Auckland’s city centre. Dickie oversees the infrastructure maintenance within the tunnel which includes ventilation, drainage, cranes, lifts, rolling stock, and the railway locomotives.

Much of the work on equipment in the tunnel is carried out by specialist subcontractors, with Dickie ensuring all safety standards have been maintained during these activities without incident.

“Dickie is a great asset to Transfield Services and Vector,” says Steve.

In accepting his award at the Vector Arena ceremony, Dickie said while he was privileged to receive the accolade, he had no particular secret to working safely.

“I don’t think I do anything special. Working safely is the Transfield Services way.”