Safety Groups UK Awards

Terms and Rules of Entry

These Terms and Rules of Entry govern participation in the Safety Groups UK Awards (“the Awards”). By submitting an entry or nomination, entrants agree to be bound by these Terms and Rules.

  1. Submission Requirements

Entries must be submitted by the published closing date using the format and method specified on the official entry form.

Late, incomplete or non-compliant entries may be disqualified at the discretion of Safety Groups UK.

All eligible entries will be given equal consideration.

  1. Accuracy of Information

Entrants warrant that all information, statements and supporting materials supplied as part of an entry or nomination are accurate, complete, up to date and capable of substantiation.

Safety Groups UK reserves the right to request evidence or clarification to verify any claim. Failure to provide satisfactory evidence within a reasonable timeframe may result in disqualification.

  1. Eligibility

The Awards are open to organisations, groups, individuals and initiatives based or operating in the UK, subject to the eligibility requirements of each award category.

Political parties, lobby groups, state propaganda bodies and entities subject to UK sanctions are not eligible to enter.

Safety Groups UK reserves the right to determine eligibility at its sole discretion. Entries submitted by or on behalf of ineligible entities may be withdrawn at any stage without notice. All eligibility decisions are final.

  1. Use of Entries and Intellectual Property

As a condition of entry, entrants grant Safety Groups UK permission to share, reproduce or adapt submitted material for non-commercial purposes connected with the promotion of health and safety, including:

  • promotion of the Awards
  • editorial coverage and publicity
  • use on the Safety Groups UK website and digital channels
  • case study or educational material produced by Safety Groups UK, the Health and Safety Executive, or other partner organisations

This permission is granted free of charge and with appropriate attribution where reasonably practicable. Ownership of original intellectual property remains with the entrant.

  1. Confidentiality and Data Handling

Information submitted as part of an entry will be treated as confidential and used solely for the purposes of administering, assessing and promoting the Awards.

Contact details will be used for communications relating to the Awards process, including judging outcomes and ceremony arrangements. Data will not be sold or transferred to third parties for commercial purposes and will be handled in accordance with Safety Groups UK’s Privacy Policy.

  1. Assessment and Judging

Entries will be assessed against the published criteria for each award category.

Judging will be conducted by a panel appointed by the Safety Groups UK Board, which may include independent judges and subject matter experts.

Entrants acknowledge that judging is qualitative in nature and based on professional judgement.

  1. Final Decisions

All decisions made by the judges and Safety Groups UK are final. No correspondence, discussion or appeal will be entered into regarding judging outcomes. Feedback is not guaranteed unless expressly stated.

  1. Disqualification

Safety Groups UK reserves the right to disqualify any entry that:

  • is incomplete or submitted after the stated deadline
  • contains false, misleading or unverifiable information
  • does not meet eligibility criteria
  • is associated with conduct likely to bring the Awards or Safety Groups UK into disrepute

Disqualification may occur at any stage of the Awards process.

  1. Publication and Announcement

Finalists and winners may be publicly announced and published across Safety Groups UK communication channels, including digital platforms, printed materials and event communications.

By entering, entrants consent to the publication of their name, organisation, award category and award outcome.

  1. Use of Award Titles and Marks

Winners and finalists may describe themselves as such and may use official award titles or marks strictly in accordance with any usage guidelines provided.

Award titles and marks must not be altered or used in a way that implies sponsorship, endorsement or affiliation beyond the granting of the Award.

  1. Awards Ceremony

Attendance at any Awards ceremony is encouraged but is not a condition of entry or winning. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, any costs associated with attendance, including travel and accommodation, are the responsibility of attendees.

  1. Withdrawal, Suspension and Amendments

Safety Groups UK reserves the right to withdraw an Award, suspend an entry, or amend the Awards programme where reasonably necessary. This includes changes to categories, criteria, timelines, judging arrangements or ceremony details.

Reasonable efforts will be made to notify affected entrants.

  1. Governing Law

These Terms and Rules are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Entrants submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales in relation to any dispute arising from or connected with the Awards.

Category-Specific Rules

Excellence

  • Excellence Awards are open to all affiliated Safety Groups in the UK.

Outstanding Service

  • Nominees must be individuals from an affiliated Safety Group in the UK.
  • Nominations must be made by at least one elected member of a local Safety Group’s committee.

Development Through Education

  • Entries must provide evidence of working with learners in one or more of the following contexts: school, college, university, employer academy, Safety Group activity, apprenticeships, or other education or pre-employment readiness programmes.
  • There are no age restrictions on learners.
  • The Awards are open to organisations of any size based or operating in the UK, whether or not they are members of a Safety Group, and to all Safety Groups in the UK.
  • Entrants must provide a title and describe the purpose of the initiative, how it demonstrates effective educational engagement in health and safety, the methods adopted, and the outcomes achieved.
  • The initiative must have taken place within 18 months of the award closing date.
  • Entrants must be willing to present their entry to the judges at a virtual meeting on a date and time to be advised. Presentations must not exceed 30 minutes.

Innovation

  • The Awards are open to organisations of any size based or operating in the UK, whether or not they are members of a Safety Group, and to all Safety Groups in the UK.
  • Entries must relate to a current and relevant activity, project or system that demonstrates innovation. This may include the development or improvement of an existing idea, system or item of equipment.
  • Entrants must describe the purpose of the project, the methods adopted, and the health and safety outcomes achieved, including baseline information and evidence of improvement.
  • Entrants must explain how the project contributes to, or complements, a current UK or national health and safety strategy, such as Helping GB Work Well or the Scottish Plan for Action on Safety and Health.
  • Indicative information should be provided on the human and material resources deployed. A full cost-benefit analysis is not required.
  • Entries must include testimony from individuals involved in delivering the project and from those who benefit from it.
  • The innovation must have taken place within 18 months of the award closing date.
  • Entrants must be willing to present their entry to the judges at a virtual meeting on a date and time to be advised. Presentations must not exceed 30 minutes.

Health and Safety Hero

  • Nominations must be for individuals based or operating in the UK, including individuals working in member organisations of local Safety Groups.
  • Nominations must not be for individuals simply fulfilling their normal health and safety duties, unless the manner in which those duties are carried out is demonstrably exceptional.
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