Sparrows veteran commended at industry awards

John Fraser, HSEQ and HR director of the Sparrows Group, was presented with the Above and Beyond Award at the black-tie awards ceremony in March, by Countdown TV presenter Rachel Riley.

“John’s career spans five decades, he lives and breathes safety to ensure workforce protection is at the forefront of any lifting operation,” said Stewart Mitchell, chief executive officer at Sparrows Group.

“The landscape for offshore lifting operations would be very different today without the influence of John Fraser, who has helped shape crane operating standards around the globe.”

Driving force

Mr Fraser initially joined Sparrows Group as a crane operator on the Forties field in 1977 and became the driving force behind the development of key industry processes for the safety and integrity of crane operations.

These have not only benefitted Sparrows own employees and operations, but also the wider industry.

He led the way in developing the Sparrows Offshore Crane Operator Training and Competence Standard in 1990. This globally recognised programme has been widely adopted as the industry standard and almost 30 years later, remains the sector benchmark for crane operators at all stages of their career across the world.

In his current role, Mr Fraser is responsible for maintaining Sparrows HSEQ standards and accreditations while driving the application of consistently high standards of safety and quality globally.

Sparrows Group specialises in delivering structured and bespoke solutions in the safety critical areas of cranes, lifting, mechanical handling, cable and pipe lay, inspection and fluid power.

By Anne-Marie Causer