Marvin OnumonuBritish Safety Council and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have launched a new award to recognise UK organisations that have made a difference in preventing health issues at work.
The ‘Innovation in Health Award’ will be part of the British Safety Council’s International Safety Awards in 2026 and is free to enter.
The award is open to any organisation that can show its health initiative has had an impact through its UK operations.
Applications should be made on the British Safety Council website.
The deadline for applications is 6th March 2026.
Mike Robinson, CEO of British Safety Council, said: “We are excited to collaborate with the HSE to offer the Innovation in Health Award.
“This inspiring award, which is new to our International Safety Awards in 2026, will recognise pioneering initiatives that have made a significant and measurable impact on the prevention of work-related health issues in the workplace or across an industry.
“With ill-health costing the UK economy tens of billions of pounds a year through workplace absences, lost productivity and economic inactivity, this couldn’t come at a more crucial time.”
Robinson added: “By recognising the best practice that is already out there, I hope that this new award will encourage more employers to play their part in preventing illness and supporting better health among workers, not only here in the UK but also around the globe.”
Christopher Briggs, director group health and safety at JCB Excavators LTD, said: “I am excited to announce the Innovation in Health Award that is launching in collaboration with the British Safety Council; this award will highlight pioneering initiatives, their impacts and importance in preventing ill-health at work within organisations and across industries.”
Mike Calcutt, deputy director of engagement and policy at HSE, said: “I am thrilled the Innovation in Health Award will showcase leading edge developments in preventing ill-health at work.
“It’s great that HSE’s Prevention Programme has been able to collaborate with British Safety Council in launching the call for submissions and we look forward to seeing some excellent proposals.
“The Prevention Programme is designed to help industries to come together to innovate to prevent work-related ill health.”
Calcutt added: “We are collaborating with leaders from a range of industries, including construction, utilities and manufacturing, to enable each sector to identify the specific steps they can take to reduce risks to health within their industry.
“This is part of HSE’s focus to protect workers, strengthen businesses and support the Government’s growth mission.”
