With the registration deadline for the RoSPA Awards 2021 around the corner, Julia Small, Head of Awards, Events & Qualifications looks at what makes its initiative so important for occupational health and safety professionals from around the world.
“Every year, nearly 2,000 entries are received from organisations and individual sites around the world (42 countries at last count), all vying to achieve the coveted RoSPA Gold Award, with some taking their entry a step further and pitting themselves against others to be crowned the best in their sector.
“So, what makes the RoSPA Health and Safety Awards so special? Next year marks the scheme’s 65th birthday, so we must be doing something right…so what is it?”
The Awards help us achieve our vision
“RoSPA is a charity with big ambitions – our vision is for life, free from serious accidental injury.
“While we work hard to make this a reality for everyone in their homes, on the road and in their leisure time, there’s no better way to do this for their work life than by joining hand in hand with the people that can make workplaces safer and healthier.
“Health and safety professionals are incredibly passionate about what they do, wherever they are from around the globe, and so it’s little surprise that their outlook aligns with our vision.
“By entering the RoSPA Awards, they’re demonstrating their (and their organisations’) commitment to a safer world, at the same time as making sure they’re keeping their skills sharp in order that they can continue to keep their colleagues free from harm and ill health.
“That’s why we’re proud that RoSPA Awards entrants now represent more than seven million people worldwide: we can say to every single one of those people that we, and their employers, are doing everything we can to make sure they go home to their families at the end of every working day, and to help them live a life free of pain and ill health.
“As Stuart Hewes, Health and Safety Manager at Northumbria University in Newcastle (Commended in the Education and Training Services Sector, 2020) said: ‘Entering, achieving and/or winning a RoSPA Award delivers a strong message of your organisation’s commitment to health and safety, and that you can clearly demonstrate you are here to lead and influence in creating a better and safer workplace for everyone to work in.’”
Keep your skills fresh and benchmark against the best in the industry
“Not only does going through the awards process count towards your continuing professional development, but it also helps professionals and their organisations ensure that they are up to date with the latest best practice.
“The rigorous judging process means winning an Award, especially at Gold level, isn’t an easy task – you have to evidence how you keep people safe and well, not just tell us.
“And, achievement at any level in the Awards means you know you’re ahead of the health and safety game.
“Entrants also get access to the world’s biggest pool of health and safety experience and knowledge in the form of the Awards Excellence Forum, which provides events and learning and sharing opportunities throughout the year, to hear from the highest achievers and find out how to reach your maximum potential.
“Adam Hindson, Director of Compliance for Acumen Waste Services Ltd (Commended in the Waste Management and Recycling Sector, 2020), said: ‘The RoSPA Awards challenges our health and safety team to strive for excellence. It not only helps us collectively but at an individual level our people can seek opportunities for self-development in taking on projects that then serve as evidence for our RoSPA Awards submission…it motivates Acumen to continually seek to improve. The question set always challenges us to go further, and during the course of the year helps us maintain our high standards.’”
It’s great PR
“Quite simply, winners in the RoSPA Awards get to shout to the world about how good they are at looking after their employees!
“When you know you’re one of the best in the world, why wouldn’t you let everyone know about it?
“Jag Sidhu, Managing Director of NBC Group (Gold Award, 2020), said: ‘RoSPA provides NBC Group with a platform to demonstrate our total commitment to health and safety and to be externally observed by an organisation whose focus and expertise is health and safety.
“’We are proud to display the RoSPA Gold Award logo on all of our literature for all to see. Each year we look to continuously raise our health and safety standards through these awards. Working with such a prestigious organisation, it is hoped, will lead in the future to the NBC Group becoming ambassadors for RoSPA.’”
Registration for competitive awards and the London, Birmingham and Dubai ceremonies closes on Sunday, December 6 (registration for the Glasgow ceremony closes on May 20). Find out more and register at www.rospa.com/awards.
