FCC Aqualia is the first company in the region to achieve this distinction, which recognises the effective and efficient integration of workplace health and safety into the management system, ensuring the physical safety of its employees.

Pedro Antonio Sánchez, Regional Government Minister for Education, Universities and Employment, presented the award to Manuel Calatayud, Head of FCC Aqualia's Levante Office (east coast), at the company's offices in Murcia.

Mr Sánchez: "The region of Murcia would like to recognize those companies for which workplace health and safety is a distinguishing factor. To that end, all employees and management must be involved and aware about safety."

According to Mr Calatayud, the number of incidents with days lost declined by more than 50% between 2009 and 2013, to below the industry average, as a result of the implementation of safety clauses in contracts awarded by the Murcia Regional Government. "This success is due to good management and teamwork among the 231 employees at the company in Murcia, in the implementation of safety-related measures, policies and practices, such as training and accident investigation".

Other distinctions

FCC Aqualia has received other distinctions for workplace health and safety. It was a finalist in the Safe Company Track-Record category at the Llum Awards, granted by the Valencia Business Confederation, it obtained a safety diploma for its desalination plant in Ibiza, and the Aragón award for achieving five years of accident-free operations in Depurteruel, a group with thirteen wastewater treatment plans and 12 pumping stations in the province of Teruel.