Deadline approaching for RoSPA awards

Jan 28 2008 By The Journal

THE deadline is fast approaching for entries to the Royal Society for the prevention of Accidents Occupational Health and Safety Awards, which honoured a record 1,400 winners last year.

Businesses and organisations of all sizes and types need to get their submissions in by February 15 to be part of this celebration of best practice in health and safety.

Tom Mullarkey, RoSPA chief executive, said: “Our winners represent the high performers in health and safety throughout the UK and the world.

“They lead the way in saving lives and reducing injuries and ill health in the workplace.

“How well an organisation manages health and safety speaks volumes about its values and professionalism.”

The majority of the awards are non-competitive and mark achievement which is graded at merit, bronze, silver and gold levels.

“Those demonstrating continued improvement can win gold medals, President’s Awards and Orders of Distinction.

President’s Awards are presented for sustained achievement (at least 10 consecutive Gold Awards).

North-East companies that received such awards last year include Alcan Lynemouth Power Station and Newcastle-based Chieftain Group.

The competitive awards go to the best entries in 21 individual industry sectors such as construction, healthcare, transport and logistics, engineering, manufacturing and education.

There are special awards for workforce involvement, training, occupational health, environmental management and the management of occupational road risk.

There is a trophy for the best organisation operating or based mainly in Scotland, and RoSPA’s top accolade is the Sir George Earle Trophy.

The awards are sponsored by NEBOSH – The National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health.

The presentations will take place from May 13 to May 15 at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole Hotel where there will be three gala dinners. They run alongside three days of RoSPA conferences and Safety and Health Expo 2008 at the NEC.

Winners can also pick up their awards at the RoSPA Scotland event held in Glasgow in September.

Entries are welcomed from all types of business or organisation, whether public or private sector, and there are many new entrants each year.

Judges not only consider accident records, they look for high standards of management and safety performance.

Full details can be found at www.rospa.com/awards, call (0121) 248-2090 or e-mail awards@rospa.com