The Compressed Gas Association presented its prestigious safety awards at its annual meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

The association recognizes persons, businesses and organizations that make the industry safer for the employees, distributors, and the public.

The Fleet Safety Excellence Awards recipients were Western International Gas and Cylinders, Inc. and Praxair, Inc. for bulk gas transportation, and Western International Gas and Cylinders, Inc. and Gas North America LLC for cylinder gas transportation.

The Leonard Parker Pool Safety Award that recognize the greatest improvement in safety performance during the previous two years went to Praxair Inc. and Scott Specialty Gases.

The Chart Industries Award for an individual who exemplifies the character, commitment, and excellence prevalent in volunteers from the association’s member companies went to John Anicello of Airgas Inc.

The Charles H. Glasier Safety Award is for safety leadership was presented to William P. Schmidt of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

Environmental Recognition Awards were presented to Air Liquide America LP; Jacksonville, three units of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc.

And, finally, the H. Emerson Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement was presented to Roderic Fink of Acme Cryogenics in recognition of his achievements and leadership in standards development, safety procedures, and regulatory affairs.