Binnies joint venture wins inaugural PUB safety award in Singapore

The inaugural Superintending Officer (SO) Team Safety Award from Public Utilities Board (PUB), Singapore’s national water agency, has been awarded to the Binnies-led joint venture with AECOM.

The award, introduced this year, was presented during PUB’s Health and Safety Day, an annual event celebrating outstanding workplace health and safety performance across PUB teams, contractors and consultants. It was awarded to the Binnies and AECOM joint venture for its work on Phase 2 of Singapore’s Deep Tunnel Sewerage System (DTSS2), one of the world’s most significant water infrastructure projects.

RSK Group business Binnies noted the importance of the project to Singapore. Binnies Deputy Project Director Benson Tan said: “This project, which commenced 12 years ago, is the second phase of Singapore’s long-term strategy to strengthen the nation’s water security and create a resilient, efficient used water management system. The programme will complete Singapore’s vision of a recycled water ‘super-highway’, helping the country meet the needs of its growing population and industries while reducing land requirements and improving operational efficiency.

Benson said that the project comprises approximately 50 km of link sewers and 50 km of deep tunnels, creating a network that conveys used water to treatment facilities while building on the lessons learned from the successful first phase. The system has been designed to improve resilience, reduce energy use and minimise land take.

Once the full DTSS programme is complete, the amount of land required for used water infrastructure in Singapore is expected to be reduced by around 50%, freeing up approximately 100 hectares for alternative uses.

Benson said that the latest safety award adds to a growing list of accolades received by the DTSS programme, including the PUB Consultant Safety Recognition Award, the Institution of Engineers Singapore Prestigious Engineering Achievement Award and the Global Water Award.

Benson said: “This award is further proof of Binnies’ commitment to creating a positive safety culture and ensuring that everyone returns home safely at the end of each working day, while continuing to deliver major infrastructure projects that support sustainable communities.”