Nomination for 2008 Peter Dunlop Memorial OH&S Award

Congratulation to Graeme Smith, Quality Assurance Coordinator Plumbing & Roofing, who was nominated for the Peter Dunlop Memorial OH&S Award.

Graeme’s motto “the job’s got to be done” typifies his attitude and application to his job.

Emergency
He regularly attends all university's campuses for emergency and construction works out of normal hours and weekends without requesting additional pay. His willingness, and unstinting passion, to work anywhere and at anytime, to ensure the safety of all at the University is indeed an example of his devotion to duty and safety in a very high risk industry.

Gas and water
The University recently had a major gas leak on Manning Road, in a section of old mains pipe that had been left in place when gas mains were replaced in the 1980’s. To pinpoint and actually repair the leak was initially thought to be impossible. Because of the risk, Graeme devised an action plan and put it in place to insert a new section of main up through the old main, and made new connections to the converted main. The gas main is now all high pressure PVC. This work was all carried out over the weekend, and out of hours. As has always typified Graeme’s dedication to his job, he attended the site all weekend to oversee that the contractor maintained site safety throughout the project, and ensured that the university would have gas as required on the Monday.

Graeme has been instrumental in developing a hydraulics specification for Sydney University, as well as a SWMS booklet for gas and hydraulics installations. All the while, Graeme has maintained a strong association with external hydraulics industry firms and peak bodies to continually improve his knowledge.

Environment
Graeme is a member of the Sydney Water Backflow Prevention Committee which assists the university in maintaining good quality water to the university community. He also assists in water conservation on all university properties by continually monitoring the water reticulation systems and finding and repairing leaks as quickly as possible, thus saving water. The installation of many and various water meters around the university to monitor usage and carrying out corrections, when required, are the result of Graeme’s diligent efforts.

Projects
He has assisted in major building contracts by reviewing consultants’ documentation so that the final documentation will result in suppling to the client the outcome that will best suit their needs. At the same time this ensured that future maintenance of specific items could be carried out safely by maintenance personal. Graeme constantly answers the call from numerous internal project managers, university staff, external project managers, builders and sub-contractors wanting to solve specific problems. This additional workload helps to maintain tight schedules and most importantly site safety, which Graeme has never sought recompense or recognition for.

Nomination
There is so much that could be written about Graeme’s achievements, and I feel confident in saying that it would not matter who you asked about Graeme Smith’s contribution and efforts, the reply would be the same – there would be a huge gap in the knowledge and principles of safety in the high risk plumbing and roofing aspects without him. The information would not be available and no one would be on hand quite the same way Graeme would be in a crisis.

It is for all these reasons that collectively we highly recommend Graeme for this year’s award.

John Cox, Director Assets & Services
Phillip Sorbello
Fred Moise
Michael Cretikos