Safety awards take center stage at the 2021 AGA Operations Conference and Exhibition
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he 2021 American Gas Association Operations Conference and Exhibition brought more than 1,800 operations management leaders together in October for a forum, covering topics ranging from gas measurement and corrosion control to operations advocacy and safety.
The importance of that last topic, safety, was underscored through AGA’s annual series of awards.
“The safety of our customers and communities is the top priority for America’s natural gas utilities, and we are proud to honor these men and women who have gone above and beyond to not only deliver essential energy, but to protect their neighbors in times of need,” said AGA President and CEO Karen Harbert.
Winning the Gild of Ancient Suppliers Award for his exceptional leadership and service to AGA and the natural gas industry was Jeff Knights, AGA operations section chair and senior vice president, technical and operating services–Mid-Texas Division with Atmos Energy.
Doug Martin of NW Natural was presented with the Milton W. Heath Sr. Memorial Award for his early adoption of remote laser technology in leakage surveys and his role in the development of enhanced training, which helped NW Natural’s first responders understand gas migration and how to mitigate migration using ventilation techniques.
The AGA Meritorious Service Award, a yearly award presented to those who have performed the worthiest acts in the gas industry in saving a human life, was given to Larry Shafer, Shawn Pitcher, Dana Presto, Melissa McKinney, Chris Wade, Larry McDonald, Donald Trabucco and Gary Clark from Central Hudson Gas & Electric. The Central Hudson employees worked for more than two hours to help rescue two men who were trapped 10 feet underground when the trench they were working in collapsed, burying them up to their waists in mud and clay.
Recognized for her innovative work on projects, including the GasComm real-time sensing network for steel pipe, Locusview tracking and tracing technology, the use of drones for the inspection of local distribution company assets, and pilot testing of residential methane detectors, Carrie Berard was awarded the John B. McGowan Sr. Research Award sponsored by Hubbell/GasBreaker.
The AGA Safety Awareness Video Excellence, or SAVE, Award recognizes outstanding contributors to natural gas safety and education communications in two categories: internal audience (a video created for staff training, awareness or education) and external audience (a video created to educate the general public about natural gas safety). DTE Energy received the award in the external audience category for “Natural Gas Safety with Nora,” a cartoon aimed at children that features a puppy demonstrating safety tips to viewers. UGI Utilities Inc. won the internal category with “Slips, Trips and Falls.”
Twenty-two companies were also honored with Safety Achievement awards in various categories for their commitment to employee and vehicular safety, and 45 individuals earned AGA Awards of Merit for their active and continuous service to the AGA Operations Section through participation on technical committees and leadership in AGA events.
A complete list of winners is available at www.aga.org/globalassets/aga-2021-awardsreview-v3.pdf.