British Safety Council and the UK’s health and safety regulator, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), are joining forces to launch a new award to recognise organisations that have made a positive impact in preventing health issues in the UK.

The new award, called the ‘Innovation in Health Award’, will form part of British Safety Council’s International Safety Awards in 2026, and will be free to enter.

The award will recognise UK organisations that have made a significant impact in preventing work-related health issues in their organisation or sector.

Commenting on the launch of the new award, Mike Robinson, Chief Executive 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. 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.”

Mike Calcutt, Deputy Director of Engagement and Policy, 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. 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.”

The new award is open to any organisation that can demonstrate that its health initiative has made an impact through its UK operations.

Organisations should apply on the British Safety Council website here: https://www.britsafe.org/awards-and-events/awards/international-safety-awards

The deadline for applications is 6 March 2026.