Chance For Healthcare Services To Win Safety Awards

The countdown has begun for entries for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Occupational Health and Safety Awards, and it is hoped that more businesses and organisations from the healthcare services sector will be honoured next year.

Organisations of all sizes and types should start preparing their submissions now to be sure to meet the February deadline for the 2008 celebration of best practice in health and safety.

Last year the scheme attracted a record 1,400 winners with Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust lifting the top prize in the Healthcare Services Sector.  North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust, Stoke-on-Trent, was commended for its entry, and there were also eight gold, one silver, one bronze and one president’s award winners in the sector.

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, Presidents Awards and Orders of Distinction.

The competitive awards go to the best entries in 21 individual industry sectors including healthcare services. 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 prestigious gala dinners.  They run alongside three days of RoSPA conferences and Safety & 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.

The closing date is February 15,  2008, but organisations should start to prepare their submissions now to avoid a last-minute rush.  Full details can be found at www.rospa.com/awards , or more information is available by ringing 0121 248 2090 and e-mailing This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .