Companies based in the UK and overseas can share their successful solutions to occupational safety and health issues in the sector through the International Food and Drink Health and Safety Awards 2016.
The awards are organised by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health's (IOSH) Food and Drink Group, with the support of the Food and Drink Manufacture Health and Safety Forum in the UK.
IOSH Food and Drink Group committee member Doug Russell, who chairs the awards' judging panel, said: "The awards aim to recognise innovative projects that have produced a practical solution to, and made a positive impact on, occupational safety and health issues in the food and drink manufacturing industry.
"We are keen to showcase good practice and highlight experiences from across the globe, whatever a company's shape and size. By sharing learning across borders it can help to make the industry a safer and healthier place to work, no matter where in the world you are."
In previous years the awards scheme was a national one for companies based in the UK and Ireland, but judges have decided to widen the scope in 2016 to reflect the industry's global reach.
The judges this year are particularly interested in innovations which have had a long-term sustainable effect or which can be transferred readily to other workplaces.
Entries are open to both individuals and teams of people working in the food or drink manufacturing industry.
Doug said: "Taking the time to enter the awards is in itself a great way of recognising the effort that goes into protecting the safety and health of colleagues in the workplace.
"Those companies that have won or been highly commended in previous years have said that entering the awards has had a really positive impact on the overall safety culture at their workplaces."
The winner will receive a trophy, certificate and a cheque £750, with up to two runners-up prizes also on offer. Representatives from the winning and runner-up entrants will additionally have the opportunity to present about their project during the UK National Food and Drink Manufacturing Conference, hosted by IOSH Food and Drink Group, in October.
Further details about entering this year's awards are available online at http://www.iosh.co.uk/foodanddrinkgroup. The deadline for entries is 3 June.
Any queries can be directed to the IOSH Networks team by calling +44 (0)116 257 3100 or emailing [email protected].