Health and safety professionals across the world can celebrate the importance and impact of their lifesaving work, and become part of a respected legacy of health and safety excellence, as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) opens applications for the RoSPA Health and Safety Awards 2026, sponsored by NEBOSH. 

2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the RoSPA Awards, which began as a small event to recognize the achievements of companies prioritizing the safety of workers in UK, and has now grown into the biggest and most prestigious health and safety awards program in the world, with the 2025 awards attracting 2,000 different entries from nearly 50 countries.  

This anniversary presents the ideal opportunity for RoSPA to reflect on how far workplace safety has come since 1956 — from unguarded machines and risky practices to today’s culture of prevention and wellbeing. RoSPA award winners have played a vital role in driving this progress, creating safer workplaces across the decades and around the world. 

The 2026 Awards both recognize those individuals and organizations continuing this proud tradition, while also looking to the future and the importance of innovation in ensuring high health and safety standards in the rapidly changing world of work.  

RoSPA Chief Executive, Becky Hickman, said, “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 recognize those organizations and individuals whose tireless efforts prevent accidental deaths and injuries in the workplace. This year we are once again looking forwards to honoring 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.” 

The RoSPA Awards welcomes applications from organizations of all sizes, from SMEs to blue chip companies. While the Award’s scheme main categories recognize health and safety excellence for organizations and their safety management systems, the Inspiration Awards also celebrate the achievements of individuals and teams. 

As well as offering non-competitive achievement awards – in which Gold, Silver, Bronze and Merits are awarded – entrants can bid to be crowned the winner across a range of industry sectors such as construction, manufacturing and entertainment. The highest accolade is the Sir George Earle Trophy, awarded to one organization each year for its outstanding commitment to workplace.  

Awarded to Aramark UK in 2025, the company’s Safety Director, Fran Collison, spoke about the benefits of entering the RoSPA Health and Safety Awards, saying, “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 emphasizes 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.” 

Entries are judged via a rigorous and impartial process by a wealth of highly experienced senior occupational health and safety professionals and consultants.  

The main award judging panel, chaired by Dee Arp, Chief Quality Officer at NEBOSH, who said, “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 organizations that put their people first — it also inspires a culture where excellence is shared, celebrated, and multiplied. Throughout the Awards’ history, thousands of organizations 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.” 

To enter the 2026 RoSPA Health and Safety Awards, find out more information on the process or to see the extra benefits for RoSPA members, visit www.rospa.com/awards.