Tauranga based company McLeod Cranes has proven it is serious about health and safety after winning the Best Safety Initiative by a small business at this year's 2012 Safety Awards.

It is the first time the company has won the award and Scott McLeod says staff are blown away with the award.

Staff at McLeod Cranes are thrilled with their win.

'We are blown away to have received the award against some excellent initiatives by other companies.

'The team is very proud our safety culture and efforts are being recognised at this level.”

Scott says the win is a positive step for the Mount Maunganui-based company.

'For McLeod Cranes, this gives real confidence to our customers that they are choosing a company, which gives Health and Safety its highest priority.

'For the public passing our transporters and cranes on the road they can be confident we are doing everything in our power to make our team as safe as we can.”

McLeod Cranes won the award for its work in creating a sound procedure for the safe handling and transportation of Casing pipe.

'Our procedure was recognised as industry leading. The judges also made comment on our excellent use of smartphones for health and safety and our use of cameras in cranes recording, like a black box, the lifts we complete.”

Scott would like to thank McLeod Crane's customers for their support.

'We would also like Contact Energy, Heb Structures and MB Century for their feedback and guidance in making our procedures some of the best in the industry.