Elevating Safety Standards With The International Safety Awards 2025
The prestigious International Safety Awards 2025, hosted by the British Safety Council, have officially opened for applications. For over six decades, these awards have represented the gold standard in health, safety, and wellbeing management. Companies across industries and around the globe see them as the pinnacle of recognition for their efforts to safeguard their employees.
This year marks the 67th edition of the awards, and there’s much excitement around the new categories being introduced. With the added focus on environmental responsibility and inclusivity, the British Safety Council has ensured that the 2025 awards not only recognise best practices but also shine a spotlight on the growing challenges faced by organisations in the context of a rapidly changing world.
New Focus Areas for 2025
In launching this year’s awards, British Safety Council’s Chief Executive Mike Robinson underscored their significance: “The International Safety Awards are rightly seen by companies, teams, and individuals as a pinnacle of achievement and recognition in protecting and enhancing the health, safety, and wellbeing of workers. We are delighted to introduce four new awards this year, acknowledging the strides that organisations are making around health and safety in a time of climate crisis, as well as highlighting our desire to recognise leading women in the health, safety and wellbeing profession.”
These new categories signal the awards’ recognition of the evolving challenges businesses face. As Robinson mentions, the 2025 awards bring in a stronger focus on environmental concerns, reflecting the growing need for organisations to adapt to climate change while maintaining the highest safety standards.
Among the exciting additions is the Environmental Award, which seeks to honour companies that have integrated climate change risk assessment and adaptation strategies into their safety management systems. This category couldn’t be timelier, given the intensifying focus on sustainability and the tangible impact of climate change on businesses worldwide.
Another significant inclusion is the Rising Female Star Award, created in collaboration with SOWSHE-A, to spotlight women who are making remarkable strides in the health, safety, and wellbeing space. This initiative recognises the importance of diversity in leadership and the critical role women are playing in shaping the future of safety management.
Key Categories and Awards
The International Safety Awards are open to organisations across the globe, regardless of size, sector, or location. In 2024, over 1,100 companies from countries including the UK, India, and the Middle East were recognised, proving the awards’ international appeal and reach.
For 2025, businesses will have the opportunity to apply for awards in the following key categories:
- Sector Awards: These recognise the best-in-class submissions by industry category. Winners in this category are celebrated as the top performers in their respective industries, setting a benchmark for others to follow.
- Best in Country Awards: These acknowledge the top-scoring applications from individual countries, provided a sufficient number of entries are received. This award is particularly coveted by companies eager to demonstrate their national leadership in safety practices.
- Best in Company Award: Specifically for organisations with 50 or more participating sites, this award recognises the site with the most outstanding safety application. It’s a way for multi-site organisations to showcase their best-performing locations.
- Chief Adjudicator’s Award: This recognises the most outstanding applications of the year, irrespective of category. Previous winners have demonstrated exceptional innovation and leadership in their health and safety practices, making them stand out from the competition.
These awards offer a comprehensive look at safety management excellence, rewarding everything from sector-specific achievements to national and company-level recognition. Importantly, many of the categories are free to enter, ensuring that organisations of all sizes and resources can participate.
Free-to-Enter Categories
In addition to the primary awards, the British Safety Council offers 11 free-to-enter categories, making it even easier for businesses to showcase their safety achievements. Some of the standout awards include:
- Seize the Opportunity Award: This recognises organisations that went above and beyond in response to a crisis, seizing opportunities to enhance health, safety, or wellbeing.
- CEO Award: Celebrating leadership, this award recognises CEOs who have demonstrated outstanding vision and commitment to the health, safety, and wellbeing of their workforce.
- Health and Safety Transformation Award: Sponsored by Croner-i, this award highlights organisations that have made significant transformations in their safety practices, driven by data and technology.
- Wellbeing Initiative Award: Recognising innovative approaches to employee wellbeing, this award rewards organisations that have taken proactive steps to improve the physical and mental health of their workforce.
Such categories reflect the diversity of approaches companies can take to enhance safety, whether through crisis response, leadership, technology, or wellbeing initiatives.
Why Should You Apply?
There are numerous reasons why businesses should apply for the International Safety Awards. First and foremost, the awards provide invaluable recognition of an organisation’s commitment to health and safety. Winning one of these awards doesn’t just bolster a company’s reputation; it can also boost morale among employees and attract new talent, clients, and business opportunities.
Winning an award is also a fantastic way to demonstrate compliance with international safety standards, which can be critical when dealing with clients and stakeholders who prioritise health and safety performance. In an increasingly competitive global marketplace, being recognised as a safety leader can give businesses an edge.
For organisations that may be uncertain about their chances, Mike Robinson offers this encouragement: “I would encourage all organisations and leaders around the world who are proud of their track record to put themselves forward for an award.”
How to Apply
The application process for the International Safety Awards is straightforward and can be done entirely online. Applications will be accepted until 3 February 2025, with the results announced on 14 March 2025. Interested organisations can find all the necessary details and submit their applications through the British Safety Council’s official website.
For businesses interested in the awards but unsure where to begin, British Safety Council provides extensive resources, including guidance on how to submit a strong application. Additionally, participating in the awards gives organisations access to a vast network of professionals who share a commitment to improving workplace safety and wellbeing.
Positive Momentum
Since its founding in 1957, the British Safety Council has been a leading force in promoting workplace safety and shaping safety legislation. The International Safety Awards are a reflection of that mission, celebrating the companies and individuals who are making workplaces safer and healthier for everyone.
As safety continues to evolve in response to new challenges like climate change and mental health, the 2025 awards promise to highlight the forward-thinking organisations that are meeting these challenges head-on. With new categories celebrating environmental action, diversity, and crisis management, the International Safety Awards remain as relevant today as ever.
For those committed to safeguarding their employees and enhancing their workplace environments, the awards offer an unparalleled opportunity to gain recognition, build networks, and showcase their commitment to excellence.
