Deadline approaches for entry into 2011 RoSPA Awards

Businesses and organisations wishing to enter the 2011 RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards have just one week left in which to submit their entries.

Applicants need to return their RoSPA Awards USB keys, on which their award submissions should be saved, by Wednesday, February 9.

Organisations that have not yet registered to receive one of the USB keys should contact RoSPA's awards department immediately, to give themselves enough time to compile their entry by the February 9 deadline*. They should visit www.rospa.com/awards, call 0121 248 2090 or email awards@rospa.com. The USB keys are loaded with the required electronic forms, entry structure and simple guidelines with links to further online help.

This is the first time that RoSPA has used paperless entry for its prestigious awards programme, which dates back to 1956 and is one of the longest running schemes of its type. There is no change to the entry requirements and applicants must still provide the same information as before. However, it is now easier to enter, with savings for participants on printing, materials and courier costs.

More than 1,750 organisations won a RoSPA award in 2010.

Dave Rawlins, RoSPA's awards manager, said: “RoSPA firmly believes that organisations that have demonstrated their commitment to continuous improvement in health and safety deserve recognition. Each year, many hundreds of businesses and organisations, of all sizes and types from across the UK and beyond, are honoured through our annual celebration of good practice in accident and ill health prevention at work. The RoSPA Awards look not only at accident records, but also entrants' overarching health and safety management systems, recognising important practices such as strong leadership and workforce involvement.”

The awards are sponsored by NEBOSH - the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health - and presentations will take place in Birmingham in May (alongside Safety and Health Expo) and Glasgow in September.

The majority of awards are non-competitive and mark achievement at merit, bronze, silver and gold levels. Gold medals, president's awards and orders of distinction are presented to organisations maintaining high standards over time. Competitive awards are presented in more than 20 sectors and specialist awards recognise excellence in specific areas, such as the management of occupational road risk. For 2011, there is a new award sponsored by BHSF for the best contribution by a trade association or similar body assisting small and medium-sized firms with health and safety.

*The original closing date for registering to receive a RoSPA Awards USB key was December 10, although registrations are still being accepted. Please contact RoSPA's awards department for a promotional entry code.