21 October, 2009

London’s Park Lane Hilton hotel reverberated with cheers and applause during a fantastic night of celebration on 21 October, as the health and safety profession honoured its star performers in the third SHP IOSH Awards.

Now firmly established as one of the highlights of the health and safety calendar, the prestigious black-tie event honours the often unsung efforts of health and safety practitioners up and down the country, both at an individual and organisational level.

In her keynote speech, HSE chair Judith Hackitt told the audience of 600 to imagine the headlines in the Daily Mail if it had been invited to the event: “The Fun Police gather for an evening of misery’; “Laughter banned at the Hilton because of ‘elf and safety’”. Said Ms Hackitt: “It has become part and parcel of the ongoing barrage of stories, which constantly devalue the important work of everyone in this room and the outstanding achievements we are here to celebrate.”

She went on to congratulate all those who had entered the Awards for their dedication and commitment in preventing death, injury and illness in the workplace, and emphasised that, in doing so, all the winners had “produced real business benefits” as well.

Following the sumptuous three-course meal, the real business of the evening got underway – the presentation of the trophies, which was expertly and hilariously managed by comedian and TV star, Hugh Dennis. First up were the sector categories, with the ‘Best achievement in Construction’ title going to M&E contractor, Imtech Process Ltd. Other sector award-winners included Bedford and Luton Fire & Rescue Service in the ‘Health Care and Emergency Services’ category, and the University of Hull, who beat all before them in the ‘Local Authority and Education’ class.

The competition in the individual/activity sections was equally fierce. The prestigious ‘Achiever of the year’ accolade went to Steve Martin, managing director of Xmo Strata, while Kevin Heywood was named ‘Consultant of the year’ title.

During the proceedings, IOSH presented a special award for services to construction to Rita Donaghy, who, earlier this year, led an inquiry into what can be done to reduce the number of deaths in the industry.

The final award of the night – the IOSH Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Sypol – was presented to HSE board member, Judith Donovan CBE, in recognition of her tireless campaign work in the name of health and safety.

Describing the award as a tremendous honour, Judith said: “I urge all businesses and stakeholders to get behind the HSE’s new strategy and to sign up to our Pledge agreeing to take a proportionate, common-sense approach to health and safety. Promoting health and safety is not just a job for the HSE – it’s a job for all industry.” The winners and guests then got down to some serious celebration by dancing the night away to the tunes of Your Mum (!) and helping raise £4000 at the casino for the event’s charities, The Lighthouse Club and The Chronic Crohn’s Campaign UK.

SHP and IOSH would like to thank all those who entered this year’s awards, and congratulate all shortlisted candidates, and especially the winners. Thanks also go to our esteemed panel of judges, as well as our generous sponsors for their incredible support.

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