Frequently asked questions

• Demonstrate your commitment to excellent health, safety and wellbeing management  
• Gain expert external feedback on your services from an independent adjudication panel  
• Promote your achievement with press coverage and winner's logo  
• Raise the profile of the health, safety and wellbeing function within your organisation.

General eligibility terms  

Applications are by site or business unit. To be eligible a relevant member of senior management at that site must confirm that since 1 January 2024 the site or business unit has NOT:   

• Suffered any work-related fatalities   
• Been subject to any prohibition notices   
• Been the subject of any convictions in relation to health and safety   
• Had any ongoing criminal investigations or prosecutions pending in relation to this site/business unit.   

In addition, an extra two key criteria will be used to determine whether an organisation is eligible to apply for the International Safety Awards 2025 scheme.   

1. Whether there are relevant UK trade sanctions in place for a country. Furthermore, even if sanctions don’t strictly apply to our activities, if the sanctions have been imposed due to human rights / humanitarian law related issues we will deem them to apply.  
2. Whether we can carry out due diligence checks effectively. This is influenced by:  

• Whether there is moderate to good, accurate and open reporting of accidents/incidents from the country’s relevant authorities across all industries (especially high-risk industries such as construction/mining etc). Countries not providing data to the ILO are by default considered not eligible to apply for the Awards scheme.  

• Whether the country’s press is sufficiently free, combined with whether individuals or groups can express their views free from government interference.   

Based on the above criteria, organisation sites from the following countries are not eligible to apply for the International Safety Awards 2025:  

Afghanistan, Belarus, Burma/Myanmar, Central African Republic, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Yemen, Zimbabwe.  

Please note that due diligence monitoring will take place and a false declaration will lead to disqualification.  

Free to enter awards  

By applying for a free to enter award, you are agreeing that should you be successful and win an award, that you will allow us to use your organisation and logo as a case study in British Safety Council promotional activity. You also agree that you will work with us in the production of a video or other digital media to promote your achievement and the awards more generally.  

Once you purchase the application via the website and make the payment you will receive a link to access the application form via the Learning Zone.   

If you pay via invoice, the licence to the Learning Zone will be granted after payment is received. 

The application form is submitted via our Learning Zone portal. You will receive an email detailing how to access the application after payment is received.    

Please note: ensure to add the correct Company name and Site unit that you would like on the certificate, as amendments will not be accepted once the application has been submitted.   

Each application addresses the management of health, safety and wellbeing at a single site or business unit. Applicants wishing to enter several sites or business units must complete a separate application for each one.  

• All applications are submitted via our online system (we advise applicants to draft their responses offline before copying and pasting into their online submission)  
• All applications must be submitted in English  
• All application questions must be answered  
• The response to each question must not exceed 600 words  
• All questions are designed to be answered in plain text only (submissions must not incorporate images, tables, graphs or similar) .

A detailed marking scheme and guidance notes are available which clearly indicate what is required to score high marks. You are strongly advised to familiarise yourself with these documents before starting your application.   

There are various support options available, and you are highly encouraged to take advantage of them even if you have applied for the awards before.   

• Webinars – we have 2 separate webinar options for applicants to join, which will be run by the Chief Adjudicator and the Independent adjudicator on the 29 October 2024 and the 14 January 2025  
• Watch our video on how to enrol – on the Learning Zone tutorial. Click here   
• Read the 2024 Chief Adjudicator’s reports – available on our website. Click here  

The deadline for applications to be submitted is 23:59 GMT on Monday 03 February 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.  

£473 + VAT for members

£616 + VAT for non-members

VAT (Value Added Tax) at the standard rate of 20% is not applicable for overseas applications.   

If your site/business unit is a member of the British Safety Council, please ensure that the named point of contact for your membership purchases the International Safety Award application online to ensure you receive your member discount.   

You can pay by credit/debit card, bank transfer (BACS) or you can request an invoice, via International Safety Awards Application webpage. When paying by invoice please provide a purchase order number.  

If you decided to pay via credit/debit card, you will receive the licence to access the application automatically via email from the Learning Zone Portal.   

If you decide to pay via invoice, you will receive the licence to access the application once the payment has been received.   

Note: The application fee cannot be refunded once you have purchased your application form, even if you choose not to submit.  Events terms and conditions

These documents will be available online at  International Safety Awards webpage from Friday 27 September 2024  

Your application(s) will be marked by one of the independent adjudicators appointed and trained by British Safety Council.   

The independent adjudicators are senior health, safety and wellbeing professionals in their respective organisations and senior examiners for the British Safety Council awarding organisation.   

In order to prevent any possible conflict of interest, the adjudicators do not have sight of any audit reports or previous award applications or scores.   

The onus is on applicants to convince the adjudicator that their particular site/business unit deserves an International Safety Award based on its commitment to health, safety and wellbeing management during 2024.   

A rigorous standardisation process ensures that each adjudicator applies the marking scheme in a consistent manner so that all applications are marked to the same standard.   

The adjudicator will apply the marking scheme and award a score out of 55.   

Grades will be awarded as follows:  

50+ – Distinction  

40-49 – Merit  

30-39 – Pass 

Borderline marks explanation: any application scoring 28-29, i.e. a borderline fail, will be remarked by the Chief Adjudicator to check the accuracy of the marking. Similar borderline reviews will be conducted at the Merit (38-39) and Distinction (48-49) grade boundaries. The Chief Adjudicator’s decision is final.   

Accreditation Marks   

Applicants can also gain a maximum additional five marks by uploading evidence of the following accreditations:   

1 Mark: 3 Star outcome from British Safety Council Five-Star Audit (within the ISA 2025 eligibility period)   

2 Marks: ISO 45001 Certification (current) or 4 Star outcome from British Safety Council Five-Star Audit (within the ISA 2025 eligibility period)   

3 Marks: 5 Star outcome from British Safety Council Five-Star Audit (within the ISA 2025 eligibility period) 

Results will be emailed to applicants on Friday 14 March 2025 and a list of successful applicants will be published on the British Safety Council website on Tuesday 18 March 2025. Results will not be issued by telephone. Please ensure the email address submitted on the application is correct as this is the email we will submit results too.  

Due to the large number of applications we are not able to provide individual feedback. However, the Chief Adjudicator’s report will be available on our website detailing the strengths and weaknesses of this year’s applications.  

British Safety Council endorses the right of site/business units to enquire about their result. Procedures are in place to ensure that result enquiries are dealt with thoroughly and fairly.   

A result enquiry can result in a grade being confirmed, raised or lowered. Where a grade is changed, the new grade will replace the original grade, whether it is higher or lower.   

The following services will be available:  

Remark and feedback £243 +VAT   

Value Added Tax (VAT) at the standard rate of 20% is not applicable for overseas applications.  

The deadline to apply for the remark and feedback is Monday 24 March 2025.   

All winners will receive their results email on Friday 14 March 2025. This email will also contain links to the following:  

• Winners’ logo - winning sites/business units may use the International Safety Awards logo on their websites, letterheads and other items.  
• Press release template for winners to communicate their award to the media and stakeholders.

The name on the certificate can be amended, only after paying a fee of £50. Please note that British Safety Council reserve the right to refuse the name change if the new name submitted differs substantially from the original name on the application, e.g. the site name cannot be removed to only read the company name. 

It is the duty of the applicant when filling the application to make sure that the Company name and Site name are correctly written.    

The deadline to request the name amendment is Monday 31 March 2025.

These awards recognise overall ‘best in class’ submissions to the International Safety Awards by:  

• Sector Awards  
• Best in Country Award  
• Best in Company Award  
• Chief Adjudicator’s Award  

The Sector, Best in Country, Best in Company and Chief Adjudicator’s Awards winners will be determined by shortlisting those submissions scoring highly within each category, with the highest-scoring submission winning per category.  

In the event of several equally scored submissions within a particular category, the Chief Adjudicator will identify the best overall submission.   

The Chief Adjudicator’s decision will be final in respect to all Auto Entry Award winners.  

Note: There is no separate application process. All sites/business units that win an International Safety Award are automatically considered for the Auto Entry Awards.   

These awards recognise overall ‘best in class’ submissions to the International Safety Awards by industry sector.  

Sector Award categories are:  

• Art and culture – museums, galleries  
• Construction 
• Consultancy and advisory  
• Defence 
• Education  
• Financial 
• Gas 
• Health and social care   
• Hospitality and catering 
• IT 
• Leisure and sports clubs 
• Local government 
• Manufacturing   
• Media 
• Mining and quarrying 
• Not for profit   
• Oil 
• Onshore major hazard  
• Other Property Activities 
• Power and utilities  
• Public services 
• Retail  
• Scientific and technical services 
• Storage 
• Transportation 
• Wholesale and distribution.

All International Safety Award applicants are entered into this award, provided there is a significant number of applications from the same country at distinction level. The highest scoring and best overall application will be awarded.  

This award is for organisations with 50 or more participating sites and recognises the site(s) with the most outstanding applications.

The Chief Adjudicator's Award is awarded to the ISA application that achieves the highest score each year. This award does not require an additional submission and the winner/s will receive a certificate of their achievement.  

For 2025, we are launching 4 new free to enter awards alongside the existing 7. These awards are open to all and we particularly welcome applications from small businesses. They will go live for entries on 4 October 2024. 

You do not have to purchase an International Safety Award application to enter any of the following free to enter awards.  

Please note, by applying for a free to enter award, you are agreeing that should you be successful and win an award, that you will allow us to use your organisation and logo as a case study in British Safety Council promotional activity. You also agree that you will work with us in the production of a video or other digital media to promote your achievement and the awards more generally. 

• NEW Environmental Award 
• NEW Rising Female Star Award in collaboration with SOWSHE-A 
• NEW David Parr Medal
• NEW Lifetime Achievement Award  
• The CEO Award 
• Health Safety and Wellbeing Ambassador of the Year Award 
• Team of the Year Award 
• The James Tye Award 
• Wellbeing Initiative Award Powered by Being Well Together 
• Health and Safety Transformation Award - Sponsored by Croner-i 
• Seize the Opportunity Award.

Click here to find out more.

The shortlisted companies will be published on the British Safety Council’s website and communicated via email. The winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner event.  

The International Safety Awards Gala Dinner 2024 will take place on (DATE TBA) at the (LOCATION TBA), London. 

Booking information available soon. If you have any queries relating to this event, please contact: [email protected]. 

Individual ticket   

Members - £364 + VAT  

Non – Members - £385 + VAT  

Full table (10 seats)  

Members - £3,418 + VAT  

Non – Members - £3,627 +VAT  

Diamond table (10 seats)   

Members- £4,190 + VAT  

Non – Members - £4,399 +VAT 

All ticket prices include:  

• Certificate presentation with official photographs  
• Three-course meal with wine  
• One drink voucher  
• Entertainment including a live band.  

The Diamond ticket price includes all of the above, plus:  

• Early access to pick up certificates (for award winners only)  
• Exclusive VIP reception including drinks and entertainment  
• Champagne on table   
• Best tables in the house – near to stage and dancefloor  
• One additional drink voucher per person for post dinner drinks  
• Group/individual photos with celebrity compere  
• Take away gift bag.  

Booking information and the Gala Dinner booking form will be available in due course. 

Please refer to our events terms and conditions before booking Events terms and conditions

You can still attend and enjoy the Gala Dinner.

British Safety Council will, upon request, provide an attendee with an invitation letter for the purposes of the guest applying for a visa to visit the United Kingdom. British Safety Council cannot give advice or guarantee the issuance of a visa. You are strongly recommended to apply for your visa as early as possible. Visa letters will only be distributed once places at the UK gala dinner have been booked. 

Note: In the event that you are unable to obtain a visa but have already purchased a ticket/s for the Gala Dinner, we will be unable to refund the cost of your ticket. We advise that if you require a visa you book tickets and requested a visa letter as early as possible. 

Please see our event terms and conditions.

There are no hardcopy tickets for this event.  

An email confirmation will be sent by [email protected] to the contact indicated on the booking form. 

The follow attire is expected:  

• Black tie  
• Evening dress  
• National dress  
• Honours may be worn.

Any dietary requirements should be noted on the booking form next to the relevant guest’s name. The venue can cater for a variety of dietary requirements. Please provide clear details on the booking form and we will contact you if we need further details.   

Yes, we kindly ask that guests requiring wheelchair access contact us prior to the Gala Dinner at [email protected].   

Information about how to get to the Gala Dinner venue will be available in due course. 

All winning sites/business units that book seats at the Gala Dinner are required to be at the (LOCATION TBA) between 17:30 and 18:45 to collect their certificate and take an official group photograph with British Safety Council Chief Executive, Chair or a Trustee. Winners will then go through to the winners’ reception. 

Sites/business units that have achieved the top mark of ‘Distinction’ will be recognised during the Gala Dinner ceremony with an announcement, trophy presentation and photo opportunity.  

Note: only the winners that ordered a trophy will be able to collect it during the ceremony. Your order must have been received within good time before the event otherwise we cannot guarantee your trophy will be available for presentation on the day.  

The Auto Entry and Free to Enter award winners will be announced during the Gala Dinner ceremony with the trophy presentation and photo opportunity on stage.

All winner attendees will receive an email the week following the event which will contain information on how to access your photograph along with a post-event press release template.

This unique winners’ wall plaque features the International Safety Award logo and is designed to be used indoors or outdoors. The classic design of this 14-inch plaque reflects the impressive achievement of gaining an International Safety Award and all sites/business units have the opportunity to display the name of the winning site on their plaque.   

You can order the commemorative plaque via our website or via the link you will receive on the result email.

The price per plaque is as follows:  

£270 +VAT including postage and packaging for UK customers  

£410 including packaging and courier charges for overseas customers  

Government regulations state that Value Added Tax (VAT) at the standard rate of 20% is not applicable for overseas customers as the plaque is being shipped abroad. However, for overseas customers any local duties/taxes payable are the responsibility of the purchaser at the point of entry.  

The deadline to purchase the trophy is Friday 25 April 2025. 

Payment can be made by BACS or credit card. Details are to be completed on the booking form.   

Please note that payment in full is required within 30 days. No refunds are available upon cancellation of an order.  

Plaques will be produced only when payment is received and will be sent directly to the address stated on the booking form. You will receive by email a PDF attachment of your plaque for review and confirmation before it is produced. This can take up to six weeks once payment is received for your plaque to be delivered.   

Please note you will not be able to collect your plaque at the Gala Dinner.  

All sites/business unit winners can purchase the International Safety Awards trophy via our website or using the link shared on the results email. It features the International Safety Awards logo and has been designed to reflect the impressive achievement.   

The price per trophy is as follows:  

£236 +VAT including postage and packaging for UK customers  

£289 including packaging and courier charges for overseas customers  

Government regulations state that Value Added Tax (VAT) at the standard rate of 20% is not applicable for overseas customers as the trophy is being shipped abroad. However, for overseas customers any local duty payable is the responsibility of the purchaser at the point of entry.  

The deadline to purchase the trophy is Friday 25 April 2025.

Those attending the Gala Dinner will receive their certificate on the evening. For those not attending, certificates will be posted to UK-based winners and couriered to international winners. This may take a few weeks courier and global location dependant.