Honouring Seventy Years Of Safety Excellence At The RoSPA Awards
The RoSPA Health and Safety Awards return in 2026 with a landmark anniversary that underscores seven decades of industry leadership, professional dedication and global impact. Marking its 70th year, the programme sponsored by NEBOSH continues to stand as the world’s largest and most respected platform for recognising outstanding contributions to workplace safety.
This milestone arrival offers more than a moment of celebration. It provides the opportunity to reflect on how far occupational safety has travelled since the mid‑twentieth century. In 1956, the inaugural awards brought together UK organisations working to protect their workforce from preventable harm. Seven decades later, the scheme has transformed into an international benchmark for health and safety excellence, attracting 2,000 applications from nearly 50 countries for the 2025 edition.
Marking Seventy Years Of Progress
Reaching a 70‑year anniversary inevitably prompts reflection on the remarkable evolution of workplace safety. Over the decades, high‑risk environments dominated by unguarded machinery, rudimentary controls and limited awareness have transitioned towards a culture firmly grounded in prevention, wellbeing and continuous improvement.
Many RoSPA Award winners have helped shape that transformation. Their achievements have strengthened industry standards, raised expectations and encouraged organisations of every size to recognise that safety is a fundamental component of operational success. The 2026 Awards will continue celebrating individuals and organisations whose commitment demonstrates that safe working practices remain essential to resilient, efficient operations.
RoSPA Chief Executive Becky Hickman reflected on the significance of the anniversary, stating: “Reaching the 70th anniversary of the RoSPA Health and Safety Awards is an achievement of which RoSPA is incredibly proud. Ever since the awards were established in 1956, it has been a real privilege for RoSPA to celebrate and recognise those organisations and individuals whose tireless efforts prevent accidental deaths and injuries in the workplace. This year we are once again looking forwards to honouring those who show their longstanding dedication to the highest health and safety standards by entering year after year, and also inviting new entrants to join RoSPA in working towards our vision of an accident-free world.”
Recognising Excellence Across All Sectors
The programme welcomes organisations ranging from SMEs to multinational companies, offering pathways for both competitive and non‑competitive recognition. The scheme’s Achievement Awards grant Gold, Silver, Bronze and Merit standards, while specialist categories recognise outstanding performance across a wide range of industry sectors, including construction, manufacturing, energy, logistics and entertainment.
A central focus of the awards is to highlight the operational, cultural and strategic work undertaken by organisations to safeguard their workforce. These submissions often reflect comprehensive safety management systems, integration of leadership initiatives, workforce engagement programmes, data‑driven insights and long‑term improvements in safety performance.
The Inspiration Awards further extend recognition to individuals and teams who are shaping positive change within their organisations. These categories capture achievements from training excellence and mentoring to innovative incident‑reduction projects and community‑focused safety initiatives.
The Sir George Earle Trophy
The highest honour in the programme remains the Sir George Earle Trophy, awarded to a single organisation displaying exceptional commitment to workplace safety and clear leadership in driving improved standards.
In 2025, the trophy was awarded to Aramark UK. The company’s Safety Director, Fran Collison, shared the value of engaging with the awards process: “The awards process encourages us to reflect on our progress, celebrate our achievements and inspire ourselves to improve further. It is also great external recognition, demonstrating our commitment to safety and reinforcing our strong safety culture. The award emphasises us as leaders within our industry and strengthens trust with existing clients and customers but also supports our efforts to attract and win new business.”
Rigorous And Impartial Judging
Entries undergo a comprehensive and impartial judging process led by experienced occupational health and safety professionals. The main judging panel is chaired by Dee Arp, Chief Quality Officer at NEBOSH, who highlighted the programme’s enduring role in advancing global safety standards: “For 70 years, the RoSPA Awards have been a guiding light for what’s possible when safety meets dedication, commitment, and passion. Entering not only earns well-deserved recognition for organisations that put their people first — it also inspires a culture where excellence is shared, celebrated, and multiplied.
Throughout the Awards’ history, thousands of organisations have stepped forward to champion the very best in safety, creating a legacy that continues to lead positive change. Entering the RoSPA Awards is a powerful statement: we are stronger together, and keeping people safe, healthy, and well in workplaces around the world is a legacy we must uphold.”
This rigorous process upholds the awards’ global reputation for credibility, reliability and fairness. It ensures that each accolade is supported by demonstrable achievements and measurable improvements in workplace outcomes.
Safety Leadership In A Changing World
As the world of work continues to evolve, new risks and opportunities shape how organisations manage safety. Digital transformation, automation, climate pressures, remote operations and global supply chains require organisations to take a more adaptive approach, embedding safety within every stage of decision‑making.
RoSPA’s awards recognise and reward those who are addressing these challenges head‑on through:
- Use of predictive analytics and digital monitoring tools
- Enhanced training and competency frameworks
- Mental health and wellbeing initiatives
- Cross‑industry collaboration and knowledge sharing
- Investment in leadership and workforce engagement strategies
These forward‑looking programmes demonstrate how safety excellence can support long‑term business resilience, reduce operational disruption and contribute to sustainable organisational growth.
How To Enter The 2026 Awards
Applications are now open for the 2026 RoSPA Health and Safety Awards, with full details available at rospa.com/awards. Entrants can explore the main categories, review criteria, understand membership benefits and access guidance for preparing a strong submission.
RoSPA remains a globally recognised voice for safety advocacy. Its work continues to influence policy, campaign for safer communities and support organisations seeking to eliminate preventable harm. With the support of its members, the organisation aims to advance a world where accidental injury becomes a rarity rather than an inevitability.
Continuing A Proud Tradition
The 2026 RoSPA Health and Safety Awards represent not only a celebration of past achievements but also a renewed commitment to improving safety for generations to come.
As organisations prepare their entries, the anniversary highlights the ongoing importance of dedication, vision and innovation in shaping safer working environments worldwide.
