The helicopter service is a finalist in two categories at next week’s NSW SafeWork Awards run by WorkCover NSW.

The Tamworth-based service is in the running for the WorkCover NSW Safety Leadership Award.

Senior crewman Trent Owen said the finalist position had come about because of the safety culture that the organisation provided crew, staff members and the community by being proactive.

“WorkCover put us forward for this leadership award, so we have been recognised by the regulator,” he said.

“It’s a great achievement to even be considered for the award. We take safety very seriously and our ultimate aim is zero injuries.”

Robert Jenkins of Hunter Region SLSA Helicopter Rescue is a finalist in Best Individual Contribution to Workplace Health and Safety.

Mr Jenkins is the safety quality and human resources manager in Newcastle for the organisation.

“We nominated him for his tireless contribution to achieve a safe work environment and he became a finalist in NSW,” Mr Owen said.

“He was air crew in the late 1990s then went away and got tertiary qualifications in safety management. That means he’s been able to integrate his real-world operational experience with regulatory requirements, so he’s produced safe work outcomes that are relevant to our needs.”

The awards are presented at a ceremony in Sydney on Thursday, October 30.