Quarrying firms invited to enter RoSPA Awards 2014

Mine and quarry companies encouraged to enter largest and longest-running awards programme

THE Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is expanding the internationally recognized RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards next year and firms of all sizes and types from the quarrying and mining industry are invited to enter.

Dating back 58 years, the RoSPA scheme, which is the largest and longest-running programme of its kind in the UK and one of the most prestigious in the world in any discipline, is taking in a new location in London alongside Safety and Health Expo 2014.

There were more than 1,800 winners in the 2013 Awards, of which 10 were quarrying and mining firms, including CEMEX UK Materials Ltd – Southern Readymix, who won the Mining and Quarrying Industry Sector category.

It is anticipated that more than 1,500 awards will be presented next year, and 4,000 winners and their guests are expected to attend RoSPA’s daytime ceremonies and evening banquets at the following locations:

• Wednesday 14 May and Thursday 15 May at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel, alongside a special RoSPA event for health and safety professionals.
• Tuesday 17 June at ExCeL London, to co-locate with Safety and Health Expo.
• Thursday 18 September at the Hilton Glasgow Hotel, as the main feature of a two-day programme including the 20th RoSPA Scotland Occupational Safety and Health Congress.

The RoSPA Awards programme recognizes commitment to accident and ill-health prevention and is open to businesses and organizations of all types and sizes from across the UK and overseas. It looks at entrants’ overarching health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.

The majority of awards presented are non-competitive, marking achievement at merit, bronze, silver and gold levels. Organizations maintaining high standards can win gold medals, president’s awards and orders of distinction. Competitive awards are presented in more than 20 sectors, and competitive awards also recognize excellence in specialist areas such as the management of occupational road risk (MORR).

Tom Mullarkey, chief executive of the 97-year-old safety charity, said: ‘The RoSPA Awards are a key fixture in the health and safety calendar and showcase organizations’ ongoing commitment to maintaining a glowing health and safety record and culture.

‘Our awards encourage the raising of accident and ill-health prevention standards across the board and those who have gained recognition for their achievements, particularly during tough economic conditions, raise the bar for other organizations to follow, inspiring them to do likewise.

‘We look forward to welcoming even more successful entrants to the 2014 celebrations by offering a choice of location of Birmingham, London, or Glasgow. The entry submissions are an organization’s chance to shine and be a part of the longest-running and most highly respected occupational safety awards programme.’

All entrants must register for the awards at www.rospa.com/awards/ by 15 January 2014 for the Birmingham and London ceremonies, and by 23 April 2014 for the Glasgow ceremony.