BOHS launches 2020 awards to celebrate good practice in worker health protection

The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS), the Chartered Society for Worker Health Protection, is delighted to invite applications for entries for three prestigious occupational health awards designed to celebrate, reward and stimulate excellence in the field of worker health protection.  

The three awards are as follows: 

The Thomas Bedford Medal, introduced in 1978, is recognised as the Society’s prime honour. This prize is awarded annually to mark the outstanding contributions of an individual to the improvement of worker health protection. 

Applicants must: 

  • Be involved in the field of worker health protection, including occupational health, occupational hygiene, or health and safety. 
  • Fill in an application form, where they clearly demonstrate the nature of the exceptional contribution to the improvement of worker health protection. 
  • Put themselves forward or nominate someone else who meets the criteria. 

Applications opened on 1 June 2019 and close on 31 August 2019. 

The Peter Isaac Award, run under the auspices of the slogan “Working for a Healthier Workplace,” recognises an outstanding initiative which has contributed to the reduction of ill health at work.  

Applicants must: 

  • Work in the field of worker health protection, including occupational health, occupational hygiene, or health and safety. 
  • Fill in an application form, where they clearly describe how their initiative has contributed to the reduction of ill health at work. 

Applications opened on 1 June 2019 and close on 31 August 2019. 

The Early Career Occupational Hygienist Award was previously known as the Young Hygienist Award but subsequently rebranded to allow for the inclusion of more mature candidates who may have changed their corporate direction or taken career breaks. 

Sponsored by Casella, expert suppliers of monitoring and measurement equipment, this award aims to recognise talent and stimulate professional development in hygienists in the beginning stages of their careers. 

Applicants must: 

  • Have up to six years’ experience in an occupational hygiene related post and be a member of BOHS.  
  • Fill in an application form, where they will have to show commitment to continuous professional development.  
  • Submit an essay of between 1,500 and 3,000 words on the topic, “A thought piece on the future of occupational hygiene and the effects of new technology on the profession.” 

Applications for this award formally opened on 1 June 2019 and will close on 31 August 2019. 

Fantastic prizes are on offer for these three awards, including monetary rewards. These three awards also come with full conference passes to the 2020 BOHS Annual Occupational Hygiene Conference and an invitation to the 2020 BOHS Annual Gala Dinner. Besides the coveted medal itself, the prize for the prestigious Thomas Bedford Medal also includes an invitation to present a keynote address at the 2020 BOHS Annual Occupational Hygiene ConferenceIn the case of the Early Career Occupational Hygienist Award, grants towards training and continuing professional development are offered in addition to a full year’s BOHS membership, paid for by the Society. 

Inviting applications for the awards, John Dobbie, President of BOHS said, “The Society’s awards serve as vibrant examples of what true commitment to occupational hygiene and worker health protection really means.  I would like to urge all those who are interested to check the eligibility requirements and find an award that matches their profile. All applications are welcomedand we look forward to hearing about the exciting work that is being done in the field of worker health protection.” 

Full and further information on the awards can be accessed via the BOHS website at https://www.bohs.org/about-us/bohs-awards/.