British Safety Council launches 2015 International Safety Awards to celebrate commitment to good health and safety management at work
The British Safety Council has formally launched its 2015 International Safety Awards, which are designed to recognise organisations from around the world who have demonstrated their commitment to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of their employees during the 2014 calendar year.
2015 will mark the 57th year of the International Safety Awards, which have made a significant contribution over that period in promoting and celebrating the social, economic and business benefits of employers taking effective steps to prevent people being injured or made ill at work.
The awards are open to businesses and organisations of all sizes and industry sectors – both members of the British Safety Council and non-members – in the UK and internationally.
Last year, 524 organisations from a wide range of industry sectors and countries won an International Safety Award, including businesses from the UK, Africa, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and the West Indies. Winning UK-based organisations included such well-known names as Aston Martin Lagonda, BAE Systems, British Gas, Ladbrokes, Land Securities, Twickenham Stadium, Wessex Water and Willmott Dixon. International winners included Bahrain National Gas Company, Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Ltd of Nigeria, Flinders Ports of Australia, HHSL Safety Systems Ltd of Trinidad, Kenya Airways, Kuwait Oil Company and Reliance Industries of India.
Launching the application phase of the awards, Alex Botha, British Safety Council Chief Executive, said: “Every year, more than 2.3 million people die globally as a result of work-related injury and ill health, but all the evidence shows that excellent health and safety management is of great social and economic value: it’s good for people and it’s good for business.
“The British Safety Council’s vision is that no one should be injured or made ill at work – anywhere in the world; and the prestigious International Safety Awards seek to recognise and reward those organisations that have shown a real commitment and dedication to keeping their workplaces and workers healthy and safe.
“By winning an International Safety Award, an organisation can benchmark and celebrate its health and safety achievements; enhance its reputation among employees, business partners, customers and the wider public; and inspire other businesses of all sizes around the world to strive to achieve the highest standards of health and safety management.”
How to apply
The International Safety Awards generally relate to health and safety management at a specific site or business unit, and applicants answer a series of online questions about their management of health and safety risks. These are assessed by a team of independent chartered health and safety professionals and, if the application meets the required standard, a pass, merit or – for really exceptional submissions – a distinction is awarded.
This year, winning organisations can also once again enter for additional ‘Sector Awards’, which will recognise outstanding sites and business units within individual business sectors.
The closing date for applications for the International Safety Awards is 2 February 2015 and the results will be announced on 26 February 2015.
To apply for an International Safety Award go to: www.britsafe.org/isa
