INNOVATION AWARD WINNERS IN VIC

CCAA is delighted to announce the category winners for the 2021 Innovation Awards, VIC.

Congratulations to all the winners, who were selected by our Judges for their outstanding innovations from an impressive showcase of VIC entries that you can view here.

“These Awards underline the industry’s genuine commitment to continuously raising the bar for the betterment of its workforce and the community at large,”
“Despite the additional responsibilities that businesses are facing in managing COVID health and safety, it’s great to see the entries showcasing a continuing focus on the day-to-day challenges around workplace health and safety and environmental management." CCAA CEO Ken Slattery.

ENVIRONMENTAL INNOVATION AWARD | WINNER: BORAL AUSTRALIA - WEST MELBOURNE CONCRETE - CO2 DOSING SYSTEM TO TREAT HIGH pH WATER

 

  Boral Concrete has developed a semi-closed loop carbon dioxide (CO2) dosing system to manage the treatment of high pH alkaline water which is generated as a by-product of producing concrete. This system captures all water run-off from the site and prevents any potential contamination or harm to the environment. The water is retained in large holding tanks and transferred to the dosing system as required. The water is then treated by infusing the high pH alkaline water with CO2. Once the pH has reduced to an acceptable level the system then records the details and disposes of the treated water via a standard trade waste agreement.


Judges Comments:
Water management is a key environmental issue at concrete plants and this innovation transferred the concept of treating water with CO2 from other sectors into the concrete sector. Internally developed and designed, this innovation delivers strong environmental benefits and is highly transferable.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL INNOVATION AWARD | HIGHLY COMMENDED: HANSON AUSTRALIA - WOLLERT QUARRY - A WATERWAYS DIVERSION PROJECT DELIVERS A NET BIODIVERSITY GAIN

 

  A watercourse diversion project at the Wollert Quarry which overcame considerable storm-water and habitat creation challenges. The project resulted in the creation of new habitat of higher diversity and quality than the pre-existing conditions. From agricultural land with a man-made drain to biodiverse waterways and frog ponds, now home to Growling Grass Frogs - A Net Biodiversity Gain. A holistic approach was taken in the project design phase with consideration of threatened species, habitat connectivity, current and future stormwater flows, and operational maintenance costs.

Judges Comments:
This well delivered project took the opportunity to provide habitat so threatened species could flourish as well as deliver strong business benefits.

 

HEALTH & SAFETY INNOVATION AWARD | WINNER: HANSON AUSTRALIA - SOUTHERN REGION QUARRIES - PRESCRIBE - WEARABLE SMART TECH

 

  The Prescribe project aims to prevent injuries and change behavior using wearable SMART technology to determine stresses and strains of driver tasks to pinpoint areas to implement improved controls to reduce injury exposures. Tipper, Tanker and Agitator drivers are to wear the device (like football GPS tracking) over 3 months, data obtained allows Hanson to identify high risk movements and opportunities for improvements to reduce our drivers exposure to hazards.

Judges Comments:
Whilst this technology is used in professional sport, this is an early adaption in our industry. Manual handling is the leading cause of injury in the quarry sector with this innovation focusing on evidence and data to develop solutions unique to the individual. The project aims to change the individuals behaviour and is highly transferable. 

 

HEALTH & SAFETY INNOVATION AWARD | HIGHLY COMMENDED: ADBRI - CENTRAL PRE-MIX CAMPBELLFIELD - IMPROVING THE SAFETY OF OUR ROADS THROUGH PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS

 

   In 2019, Adbri’s Executive, supported by our Board, launched a cultural change initiative to achieve safer transport operations. “Everyone must go home safely – this is a non-negotiable” - CEO Nick Miller. Despite COVID-19 pandemic, Adbri has through the Safe Transport program achieved a 34% reduction in the number of vehicle related incidents, engaging the hearts and mind of Adbri’s professional drivers. The increase in skill level is showing a definitive reduction in both minor and severe road accidents which is aligned to Adbri’s “Work Safe, Home Safe” safety vision. Since the commencement of training in mid-2019, a 32% reduction in heavy vehicle accidents has been recorded.

Judges Comments:
This well implemented program enabled strong leadership from management to communicate and connect with drivers as professionals to deliver proven safety improvements. 

 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AWARD | WINNER: BORAL AUSTRALIA - WAURN PONDS - BORAL RETURNS CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT LAND TO TRADITIONAL OWNERS

 

  In March 2021, Boral hosted a ceremony where it formally transferred a 3.6 hectare parcel of land at its Waurn Ponds site to the local Traditional Owners, the Wadawurrung People. Preparations for the transfer of the property commenced in 2018 with the Registered Aboriginal Party for Wadawurrung country, which covers over 10,000 square kilometres on the western side Melbourne and including the regional centres of Geelong and Ballarat. Boral has committed to assisting the Wadawurrung people with what they wish to achieve with the site.

Judges Comments:
This unique initiative highlighted the extra effort and culturally sensitive approach by Boral to provide a positive experience for the traditional owners around this culturally important site. 

The Community Engagement Award is sponsored by The Victorian Governments' Department of Jobs, Precinct and Regions.

Minister for Resources, Hon. Jaala Pulford MLC congratulates the winner and entries into the Community Engagement Award category "I congratulate those who've excelled in connecting with communities to better inform them about the resources industry

"Quarries are essential to everyday life - they make up the houses we live in, and the roads we drive on.

"Educating people about the importance of quarry resources and the ways in which local environments are protected along the way is also vital to the success of the sector."

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION AWARD | WINNER: HANSON AUSTRALIA PTY LTD - WARNAMBOOL - COUNTRY WOMEN DRIVER PROGRAM

 

  Hanson's Warrnambool Women Driver program offers regional women with a motor car license, a free, four-week intensive driver training program to achieve a Heavy Rigid license followed by full-time employment as agitator drivers on the Ryan Corner Wind Farm Project.
The program improves female participation in agitator driving roles, through offering a life-changing opportunity to access high-paying blue-collar work, which in turns makes a material difference to them and their families.

Judges Comments:
This is a very well implemented, coordinated program tat recognises the need to recruit from a larger pool talent. This is especially true in the regions where women are often un/under employed. This program built on and extended the previous metropolitan program. 


DIVERSITY & INCLUSION AWARD | HIGHLY COMMENDED: BORAL AUSTRALIA - WISE (WOMEN INSPIRING SUCCESS IN EACHOTHER) 

 

  WISE started off as Women in Science and Engineering. As a grassroots program, beginning with three female engineers, the group first offered webinars every 3 weeks empowering women with skills to be better leaders. WISE grew to 80 members and in 2021 evolved to Women Inspiring Success in Eachother. Now the program has over 140 members and offers: mentoring, buddy programs, outreach, webinars, skill workshops, and the WISE Allies program.

Judges Comments:
The organic, employee supported forum should be recognised for its positive impact.

CCAA wishes to thank the following sponsors for their support of the 2021 CCAA Innovation Awards in Victoria:

 Gold
 
         
 Silver
         
         
 Community Engagement