54 | AWARDS Hawkins Ltd T T Karen Phelps Hawkins making construction sites safer The award reflects Hawkins’ wider approach to safety, which is centred on its goal of getting everyone home safe. A commitment to making construction sites safer has earned Hawkins recognition in two categories at the Site Safe Awards, with construction cadet Maddie Schmidt named a finalist for the Dominion Constructors Future Safety Leader Award and Hawkins taking out the Vertical Horizonz Safety Innovation Award for a Large Business. For Maddie being recognised as a future leader was particularly meaningful because she had no idea she had even been nominated. “My health and safety representative saw my work and dedication and wanted to reward that,” she says. Since joining Hawkins in 2023 Maddie has established herself as a dedicated health and safety professional taking on responsibilities including permit-to-work systems, site inspections, internal auditing and incident investigations. She has also completed her Site Safe certification, building her knowledge and experience in an industry that is relatively new to her. “My background is in hospitality,” says Maddie, “but I have real drive and a real interest in keeping people safe.” That enthusiasm helped her stand out in a category designed to recognise people with less than five years’ experience who are already making a significant contribution to health, safety and wellbeing. The Future Safety Leader Award recognises individuals who take initiative, inspire others, drive change and demonstrate the potential to influence the future of construction safety. Being named a finalist was a proud moment for Maddie although it also came with some nerves. “It was really rewarding,” says Maddie. “I have stage fright, so I was nervous, excited and really grateful. It’s nice to be recognised by my team.” While Maddie’s nomination highlights the contribution of an emerging safety professional, Hawkins’ success in the Safety Innovation category demonstrates how practical changes on site can have a direct impact on worker wellbeing. The winning initiative was developed at the Hawkins Kenepuru Science Centre project, where the team tackled the persistent hazard created by temporary power cables running across active work areas. Rather than continuing with the traditional practice of running cables across the surface Hawkins planned a solution that routed temporary power through conduits beneath the ground Whether you need access control systems, CCTV, perimeter and intruder detection solutions, ID cards or a fully customised security solution, we can help. Unit 32, 16 Jamaica Drive, Grenada North, Wellington 5028 04 232 2777 advancedgroup.co.nz floor slab. The result was the elimination of a significant trip hazard, improved site tidiness and greater productivity. Since the system was introduced there have been zero cable-related incidents and subcontractors and workers have responded positively to the change. The judges recognised the approach as a safer and smarter way to provide temporary power, with the potential to be replicated on other multi-level construction sites. The award reflects Hawkins’ wider approach to safety, which is centred on its goal of getting everyone home safe and well every day. The company promotes the principle that safety is everyone’s responsibility, empowering people to stop unsafe acts and encouraging continuous learning and improvement. Hawkins critical-risk approach focuses on hazards including working at heights, excavations and trenches, fire, construction dust and fumes, dropped items, moving plant and vehicles, electrical risks and temporary works. Maddie says that together the two awards provide recognition at both an individual and organisational level. ★ ★ ★ 2026 • Voted by NewZealanders • 2026 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 20 y NewZ 026 ★ ★ ★ FlooringStores Planning a commercial project? We specialise in commercial flooring solutions for every sector, delivering projects of any size. Talk to our experienced team today! SUPPLY • INSTALLATION • PROJECT MANAGEMENT Wellington, Lower Hutt, Porirua, Paraparaumu Ciaran.Healy@carpetcourt.nz • 027 277 6051 hristina.Bradshaw@ arpetcourt.nz 027 2 8 2388 • “My nomination highlights the people helping shape a stronger safety culture and Hawkins’ winning innovation on the Kenepuru Science Centre project shows how that culture can translate into practical changes that make construction sites safer.”
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