Air of greatness

Air Products, a leading industrial and specialty gas products and chemicals company, held its annual Quality and Safety Awards in Johannesburg during April this year.

This event pays tribute to employees who go above and beyond what is required regarding the time and effort they put into enhancing the quality of the company’s offerings, and adherence to occupational health and safety requirements.

According MD Mike Hellyar, quality and safety needs to be entrenched as underlying business principles within the mindset and daily behaviour of the company’s entire workforce. “We take pride in transferring the knowledge necessary for each employee to work together cohesively in applying these principles,” he says. “The awards are a tangible indication of the efforts of the human resources within the group to achieve incredible quality and safety levels.”

Gaetano Perillo, financial manager at Air Products’ head office, won the Dexter Baker individual award – with the team accolade awarded to the onsite commercial group. According to Josua le Roux, general manager central support, the team won this because of their outstanding dedication, commitment and effort during challenging negotiations with a client to secure an important long term contract for the company.

The Geoff Prevett internal customer service award went to the management information system team – while the Kempton Park integrated industrial gases team received the Geoff Prevett external customer service award.

Daniel Valtyn from the company’s Cape Town branch won the Near Miss safety award, with the Pinetown facility receiving the Leonard Parker Poole accolade. The Chairman’s Safety Shield went to the Springs division.

“The dedication and commitment exhibited by all the award winners benefits not only Air Products, but also the company’s customers,” explains Hellyar. “By encouraging adherence to stringent quality and safety procedures and policies, all stakeholders are assured of a safer working environment and products that are examples of best practice.”