Frequently asked questions

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

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 2022 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.

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

You complete an online application form which comprises 12 questions (two unmarked) about your health, safety and wellbeing management for a particular site/business unit.

Once you have purchased and fully paid for your application(s) you will be sent an email with instructions on how to complete or assign licences for applications for others to complete.

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 completed and submitted via our online system
• All applications must be submitted in English
• All application questions must be answered
• The response to each question must not exceed 600 words
• Supporting documents are now permitted for some questions. Each of these questions is eligible for 1 bonus mark and this is made clear in the marking scheme.

A detailed marking scheme and guidance notes are available, which indicate what is required to score high marks.

The marking scheme and guidance notes are now available at www.britsafe.in/ISA. You will be sent a link to the application form upon payment.

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 and safety professionals in their respective organisations. The onus is on applicants to convince the adjudicator that their site/business unit deserves an International Safety Award based on its commitment to health and safety management.

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 and a Distinction, Merit or Pass grade.

Any application scoring 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 and Distinction grade boundaries. The Chief Adjudicator's decision is final in respect of all grades awarded.

Evidence-based bonus marks

Bonus marks will be awarded for (optional) relevant evidence submitted for five out of the 10 marked questions. Marks will only be awarded for evidence that is relevant to the question and meets all the criteria outlined in the marking scheme.

Achievement-based bonus marks

A maximum of three further bonus marks will be awarded to applications relating to sites that have achieved three stars or above in the British Safety Council Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit (valid for at least six months of the eligible year); and those who can provide evidence of a current and valid OHSAS 18001 or ISO 45001 certification relating to the applicant site.

Results will be emailed to applicants on 10 March 2023 and the winners list will be published on our website on the following day.

Results will not be issued by telephone.

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 their year's applications. Should any applicants require more detailed feedback on their individual application they can purchase our remark and feedback services where an independent adjudicator will review their application and report.

Details of how to instigate a result enquiry will be issued with the results. The following services will be available:

• Breakdown of marks - £50 + VAT
• Remark and feedback - £195 + VAT

VAT is not applicable for overseas applications.

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.

All winners will receive their results email on 10 March 2023. Please note the results email will be sent to the person who submitted the application (to the email address provided on the application). This email will also contain links to the following:

• Winners' logo - for use on your website, letterheads and other marketing material
• Press release template to communicate your award to the media and stakeholders.

Sites/business units that have achieved a Distinction grade will be recognised with an announcement, trophy presentation and photo opportunity.

All winners who attended the Gala Dinner will receive an email during the following week which contains information on how to access your photograph, along with a post-event press release template.

This unique wall plaque features the International Safety Award logo and is designed for use indoors or outdoors. The classic design of this 15-inch plaque reflects the impressive achievement of gaining an International Safety Award. All sites/business units can display the name of their winning site on the plaque.

The link to order the trophy and plaque will be enclosed in the results email that will be sent on the 12 October 2023. You can purchase the plaque via our Indian operations team 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 produced when payment is received and will be sent directly to the delivery address stated. You will receive by email a PDF of your plaque for review and confirmation before it is produced. It can take up to six weeks from payment for your plaque to be delivered.

Note: You will not be able to collect your plaque at the Gala Dinner.

All sites/business units that achieve a Distinction and attend the Gala Dinner, will automatically receive a Distinction trophy as part of their Gala Dinner package.

It features the International Safety Awards logo and has been designed to reflect the impressive achievement.

If you achieve a Distinction but are unable to attend the Gala Dinner, you can still order a trophy from our website.

Note: Site names will not be etched onto Distinction trophies.

If you are not attending the Gala Dinner you can buy your Distinction trophy on our website:

• £189 + VAT including postage and packing for UK customers
• £233 including packaging and courier charges for overseas customers.

Government regulations state that VAT at the standard rate of 20% is not applicable for overseas customers as the plaque is being shipped abroad. Any local duties/taxes payable are the responsibility of the purchaser at the point of entry.

The date on which certificates will be posted to UK-based winners and couriered to overseas winners will be announced in due course.