2024 Winners

Innovation Awards

Overall winner and winner of the Lord Cullen Trophy

Building Mental Health Alliance for their entry: “Mental Health in Construction Signposting Service”.

The judges appreciated that both their submission and presentation were comprehensive and well-prepared, with extensive evidence of activity and impact. They also acknowledged that this was an innovative response to an important issue affecting the construction industry. Their entry showed innovation throughout and will have a lasting legacy. It provides a reproducible model for other industries and other health and safety issues.

The concept of forming an alliance of stakeholder organisations to create and promote a single, cohesive signposting service for those in need to find support was innovative and has been shown to be effective. The independent website – provides an ever-open bridge. The simple and effective message ‘2 clicks from help’ and QR code is a motivational aid to those in need. https://www.nisg.org.uk/building-mental-health

Winner of the Alan Porter Rose Bowl (Awarded to the Winning Company's Safety Group)

Northern Ireland Safety Group.

2nd Place and winner of the Stevenson Shield

Harris Brick Safety Systems for their entry: “Brick Bud”.

The judges acknowledged that this was an innovative practical response to a real health and safety issue in the construction industry. The idea of improving on improvised supports for brick walls by developing a well-thought through, simple and effective device was highly commendable. Particularly as it was inspired by the personal journeys that led to the innovation.

Commendation

The entry from Cadent Gas, “Building a body of knowledge of best practice on Fatigue Risk Management in the Gas Sector”, was commended by the judges.

The judges recognised that this was a new approach to a real health and safety issue, which was generally recognised, but under-researched as it applies to the gas sector. The use of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership, linked to the University of Nottingham, to research and implement innovative solutions to the business challenges presented by work-related fatigue was an excellent new strategy. This has established a clear journey for the research and implementation process, which is commendable.

Development Through Education Awards

Overall winner and winner of the Scottish Chamber of Safety Silver Punch Bowl

Aspire Community Benefit Service for their entry: “Customer Safety Champions.”

The judges applauded their approach to the educational process. One of the stand-out parts of their entry was that they developed the process for their Customers using a fresh, engaging, learner-centred scheme that encouraged and rewarded their involvement. They tuned the educational process to the personal needs of their Customers and inspired them to enjoy participation in fire and other important health and safety arrangements. This made a huge difference to their lives and that of others involved. The transformation was impressive and reflected in the happy faces of the Customers who became Champions. This sets an appropriately high standard for others to emulate. https://vimeo.com/917849965

Commendation

The entry from IOSH Fire Risk Management Group, “Educating Young People in Life Skills in Fire Safety”, was commended by the judges.

The judges recognised their passion for making a difference in relation to this very important, emerging fire safety topic. The package developed for this valuable educational initiative was comprehensive and engaging. The aspirations for the package are commendable and the judges felt that if these are achieved it will make a significant difference to fire safety for the target group and contribute to saving lives.

SGUK Excellence Awards (incorporating the Alan Butler Award)

Overall winner, The Alan Butler Award

Northern Ireland Safety Group

Gold Award Winners

Birmingham Health, Safety and Environment Association
North West Construction Safety Group

Silver Award Winners

Herefordshire Health and Safety Group
Humberside Occupational Health & Safety Groups
Kent Health and Safety Group
South and West Wales Safety Group
South Cumbria Occupational Health and Safety Group

Bronze Award Winners

There were no bronze award winners this year.

SGUK Outstanding Service Award (incorporating the Maurice Adamson Award)

Colin Smith of the Humberside Occupational Health and Safety Group

SGUK Health & Safety Hero Awards

Health & Safety Hero Trophies Winners

Colm O’Neill	President’s Trophy
Matthew McMahon	Vice Presidents’ Trophy

Highly Commended

Wilson Lambe	Highly Commended
Michelle Pitkin	Highly Commended
Jimmy Quinn	Highly Commended

Commended

Nefyn Cardwell	Commended
David Donnelly	Commended
Mark Dallas Dron	Commended
Alan Protheroe	Commended
Ian Scott	Commended

Colm O’Neill - Overall winner of the SGUK Health & Safety Hero Awards and therefore winner of this year’s President’s award.

Summary: Colm’s actions and intervention demonstrated the impact of “living safety” in the workplace and applying those behaviours and instincts to a “societal” emergency, taking all the necessary steps in a timely manner, saving a tragedy.

While working off-track at a railway station, Colm noticed a distressed individual sitting on a bridge over the live rail track. He immediately recognised the danger. Through his compassionate approach, Colm managed to build a rapport quickly, which was instrumental in de-escalating the situation. Colm’s prompt actions, effective communication, and compassionate approach not only saved this individuals life, but prevented the possible devastating impact and trauma to train drivers and passengers, which set a powerful example for his peers and others.

The judges strongly felt that Colm’s calm and compassionate actions deserve recognition by the wider health & Safety community. They said they we honoured to provide him with the SGUK Health and Safety Hero President’s Award for his dedication to health, safety & well-being, both in his professional duties and in his extraordinary empathetic approach which saved someone’s life.

On receiving his award, Colm responded, "I am delighted to have won this award as I am very much a peoples person and I work well with my colleagues. This was very much a team effort and I am thankful for the help and guidance given to me. It means so much to be able to say I played an important role in resolving a very serious incident without loss of life."

Matthew McMahon - Took 2nd place in the SGUK Health & Safety Hero Awards and is therefore the winner of this year’s Vice Presidents’ award.

Summary: A deserved runner up reacting professionally and with expertise in a crisis. Matthew’s actions and ongoing commitment have been a significant catalyst for change in his organisation.

The judges particularly recognised that the actions of such a young person as Matthew are meritorious in themselves, especially with mental health so much in the spotlight. His prompt, compassionate actions were instrumental in safeguarding his colleague's well-being. The judges acknowledged that his actions not only defused an immediate crisis, but also promoted a culture of openness and empathy around mental health within the workplace. His continued friendship and support with his colleague during his own time is admirable and the knock-on effect for the company reflects the positive consequences of Matthew’s actions.

The 2024 Awards Ceremony will take place on the 19th of September 2024 at IOSH Leicester.