The Sword of Honour, Globe of Honour and Shield of Honour schemes are open to all organisations who achieve a five-star outcome in their site-specific Five Star audits. 

The written application comprises one question set in four component parts, with up to 750 words expected per component. Applicants will need to respond consistently across all sections.  

The questions are aligned with components of the Five Star Audit specification model and the focus of these questions changes each year to assess different aspects of health, safety, wellbeing and environmental management systems and best practices. This keeps the scheme both challenging and dynamic. All applications are site-specific.

Each year, those that have achieved a five-star result, between 1 August 2023 – 31 July 2024 in one of the following audits are invited to apply: 

• Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit 
• Five Star Environmental Audit 
• Five Star Integrated Health, Safety and Environmental Audit 
• Combined Audit. 
• Five Star Wellbeing Audit 
• Five Star Wellbeing Supplementary Audit 

With a direct link to the Five Star Audit report, these awards require a detailed and objective evaluation of occupational health, safety, wellbeing and environmental management system(s) and associated arrangements. 

Since 1 August 2023, the site must NOT have: 

• Suffered any workplace fatalities 
• Been subject to any prohibition notices 
• Been the subject of any convictions in relation to health and safety breaches. 

The full award eligibility criteria can be found on our website. Click here.

1 August 2023 to 31 July 2024.

To achieve a five-star outcome from their audit, an organisation must currently score between 92% and 100% in the audit process. The final marks for each submission will be determined by reference to applicants’ performance in the written application only.  

• A maximum of 60 marks are available for the written application. Applicants must score a minimum of 45 marks to remain eligible for the award. 
• A minimum of two individual responses must be scored within the top mark band (11-15 marks). 
• Submissions will become ineligible for the Sword of Honour award should any individual responses be scored within the lower mark band (0-5 marks). 
• The two optional questions for the Innovation and Development award will be marked separately by a panel. The grades for these questions will not be included in the overall score of the main application. 

The guidance notes for applicants detail the scoring mechanism and should be read in detail when completing the application.

Newly introduced in 2023, the Shield of Honour award is aimed specifically at Being Well Together Supporters and others, to recognise excellence in wellbeing. To be eligible for the Shield of Honour, applicants must have achieved five-stars in one of the following Being Well Together audits: 

• Five Star Wellbeing Audit 
• Five Star Wellbeing Supplementary Audit. 

Getting the five-star audit is just the start though, like the Sword and Globe awards, applicants need to demonstrate to an independent adjudication panel that they have a proven track record and culture of best practice for excellence in wellbeing, that runs throughout the organisation, from the shop floor to the boardroom. 

Being Well Together Supporters gain free access to the new Shield of Honour awards.

Once you purchase the application via the website Sword, Globe and Shield of Honour | British Safety Council (britsafe.org) you will receive a link to access the application form via the Learning Zone. The marking scheme can be found here:  

• Sword of Honour – PDF document
• Globe of Honour – PDF document
• Shield of Honour – PDF document

The application form can be submitted via our Learning Zone portal. You will receive details on how to access the application via an email after purchasing the application.

No. Applicants must restrict responses to no more 750 words per question. The adjudicators will not consider appendices or additional information.

We have created a step-by step guide that will assist you with multi-site applications. You can find it here Adding multiple users – British Safety Council (britsafe.org)

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 for UK and International clients (20 August 2024 11:00 - 12:00, BST) and Head of Audit & Consultancy – India, for India clients (3 September 2024 18:00 - 19:00, BST). To book on one of the webinars click here: UK/International or India. 
• Watch our video on how to enrol – on the Learning Zone tutorial. Click here 
• Read the 2022 Chief Adjudicator’s reports – available on our website. Click here.

The deadline for applications is 23:59 GMT on Friday 27 September 2024. No extensions will be granted.

Results will be emailed to the email address given on the application form on Thursday 17 October 2024, and published on the website Friday 18 October 2024.

£499 +VAT per site (VAT does not apply overseas).

You can pay by credit/debit card, bank transfer (BACS) or you can request an invoice, via our website Sword, Globe and Shield of Honour | British Safety Council (britsafe.org). When paying by invoice please provide a purchase order number.

Payment is usually required in full upon completion of the application order form, results will only be issued to applicants that have paid the application fee in full.

Independent adjudicators who are chartered health, safety, wellbeing and environmental practitioners.

• A maximum of 60 marks are available for the written application. Applicants must score a minimum of 45 marks to remain eligible for the award
• A minimum of two individual responses must be scored within the top mark band (11-15 marks)
• Submissions will become ineligible for the award should any individual responses be scored within the lower mark band (0-5 marks).

No. The two additional questions will be marked separately by a panel and the shortlisted organisations will be put forward for the new award.

No. If all applicants reach the pass standard, then all applicants will receive a Sword/Globe/Shield award and can purchase a trophy on our website. Please note that there is an additional charge for the trophies. A certificate will be issued to all winners.

There is a formal result enquiry process whereby you can get a re-mark and/or feedback. Result enquiry applications must be received with payment by 23:59 GMT on Friday 25 October 2024 to be considered.

For 2024, we are running a total of two new awards, with the winners announced at the Sword, Globe and Shield of Honour Luncheon on the 29 November 2024.

Innovation and Development Award

Organisations who applied for the Sword and/or Globe and/or Shield of Honour have the option to answer two further questions about an innovative project that they have adopted, describing the impact this innovation had across the business.   

The questions will be marked by a panel and shortlisted organisations will be put forward for a new award that will be announced at the luncheon event in November 2024. Please note that organisations wanting to be considered for this new award are agreeing to the possibility of a self-funded site visit by a British Safety Council representative to validate the application. 

The visit would take place between the 30 September 2024 and the 08 November 2024. 

Sector Award

Sector Awards will recognise overall 'best in class' submissions by industry sector under the 3 categories: health & safety, environmental management and wellbeing. These awards do not require a separate submission. This is a great way to stand out amongst peers and encourages best practice. Sector Award categories are:   

• Construction and property activities   
• Consultancy and advisory  
• Education   
• Financial, IT, legal, scientific and technical services, media   
• Health and social care   
• Leisure, sports clubs, hospitality and catering  
• Local government, defence and public services   
• Manufacturing   
• Not for profit   
• Oil, gas, mining and quarrying  
• Onshore major hazard  
• Power and utilities  
• Transportation, distribution and storage   
• Wholesale and retail services.  

Friday 29 November 2024.

Drapers’ Hall, Throgmorton Ave, London EC2N 2DQ.

• The opportunity to celebrate and reward staff for their hard work and dedication 
• Networking opportunity with other health, safety, wellbeing and environmental management professionals 
• Brand exposure and publicity through press coverage of the event 
• An official presentation photograph that can be used for internal and external communications 
• A post luncheon press release template for you to publicise your achievement.

The ceremony will bring together hundreds of like-minded international leaders across sectors.  

In a change to our previous format, we will this year be inviting all organisations that achieved five stars in a Five Star audit, during the qualifying period, to attend the luncheon event and be recognised. Further details will be provided in due course but there is likely to be limited availability. 

You will be able to book tickets via our website once the results have been published.

No tickets will be issued for this event. An email confirmation will be sent to the booking contact to confirm the booking. 

Business attire.

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

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

All winners will receive an email on 17 October 2024 and this will contain: 

• Winners’ logo - winning organisations may use a promotional logo on their websites, letterheads and other collateral 
• Press release for winners to use 
• Details on how to book your place at the Sword, Globe and Shield of Honour luncheon. 

Those attending the luncheon will receive their certificate during the luncheon. For those not attending, certificates will be posted to the main contact on the application.

Winning organisations can purchase the Sword and/or Globe and/or Shield trophy via our website or via the link in the results email. The trophies are designed to reflect the impressive achievement. 

The link to order the trophy will be enclosed in the results email that will be sent on the 17 October 2024.

The cost for the sword trophy is as follows:  

• UK: £1,150 plus VAT, (includes postage and packaging) 
• International: £1,381 including packaging and courier charges.

The cost for the Globe trophy is the follow:  

• UK: £1,150 plus VAT, (includes postage and packaging) 
• International: £1,381 including packaging and courier charges. 

The cost for the Shield trophy is the follow:  

• UK: £1,150 plus VAT, (includes postage and packaging) 
• International: £1,381 including packaging and courier charges.

Please note for overseas customers, any local duty payable is the responsibility of the purchaser at the point of entry. Trophies will be dispatched once full payment has been received. 

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. 

You can purchase the trophy via the website and the payment can be made by BACS or credit/debit card. Details are to be completed on the booking form. The trophy order will be submitted to our supplier once the payment has been received. No refunds are available upon cancellation of an order. 

Those who purchased the Sword and/or Globe and/or Shield trophy will receive their trophy during the luncheon. For those not attending, their trophy will be despatched to the address provided on the application. 

This unique wall plaque features the Sword, Globe or Shield of Honour 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 award and all organisations have the opportunity to display the name of the winning organisation/site on their plaque.

The link to order the plaque will be enclosed in the results email that will be sent on the 17 October 2024.

The cost per plaque is as follows: 

• UK: £273 plus VAT, (includes postage and packaging) 
• International: £413 including packaging and courier charges.

Please note for overseas customers, any local duty payable is the responsibility of the purchaser at the point of entry. Plaques will be dispatched once full payment has been received. 

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.

You can purchase the plaque via the website and the payment can be made by BACS or credit/debit card. Details are to be completed on the booking form. The plaque order will be submitted to our supplier once the payment has been received. No refunds are available upon cancellation of an order.

Plaques will be dispatched six weeks after 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.

For 2024, we want to recognise not only the organisation winning the Sword, Globe or Shield of Honour but also the individuals; for this reason, we are launching staff trophies, designed for your desk.  

These new individual trophies must be purchased at the same time as a full-size trophy and cannot be purchase separately.  

Due to popular demand, we are also looking to offer for purchase presentation cabinets for your hard-won trophies. 

Full details will be available shortly.

The name on the certificate, trophy and plaque will be the same as the name on the Five Star audit report and cannot be amended. Exceptions will be made in case of a spelling mistake.

No. The name of the site which wins the award must be the same as that which appears on the certificate, trophy and plaque as the award is for the activities that took place at that specific site. We are unable to just insert an overall company name where an organisation has more than one site. 

Any queries on the scheme not covered by these FAQs should be sent to [email protected].

Queries on the luncheon not covered by these FAQs should be sent to [email protected].

11 July 2024 Award applications open 

27 September 2024 Application submission deadline on the Learning Zone portal 

17 October 2024 Results emailed to applicants 

18 October 2024 Winner list published 

25 October 2024 Remark and feedback enquiry deadline 

01 November 2024 Trophy and plaque orders deadline 

29 November 2024 Sword and Globe of Honour Luncheon, Drapers Hall, London