NISAFETYE SAFETY ENGINEERING AWARDS NOMINATION GUIDELINES AND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Document Reference: NISafetyE/SEA/GUIDELINES/2026/001
Date: September 1, 2026

1. INTRODUCTION
The Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers (NISafetyE) Safety Engineering Awards recognise outstanding contributions, achievements, innovation, leadership, and professional excellence in safety engineering and occupational safety practice.
The awards provide a platform for recognising individuals, organisations, government institutions, and industry stakeholders that have demonstrated measurable commitment towards improving safety performance, advancing safety engineering practice, and promoting safer workplaces and communities.
The nomination process has been designed to ensure fairness, transparency, credibility, and objective evaluation of all submissions.

2. PURPOSE OF THE NOMINATION GUIDELINES
These guidelines establish the requirements and procedures for submitting nominations for the NISafetyE Safety Engineering Awards.
The objectives are to:
• Define eligibility requirements for nominees.
• Ensure nominees are assessed against consistent professional standards.
• Provide guidance on required supporting evidence.
• Support an independent and transparent judging process.

3. GENERAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Nominees must demonstrate significant contribution, achievement, leadership, innovation, or professional excellence within safety engineering, occupational health and safety, risk management, or related fields.
Eligible nominees may include:
• Government institutions and regulatory authorities.
• Private sector organisations.
• Industry professionals.
• Safety engineers.
• Occupational safety and health practitioners.
• Individuals contributing to safety engineering advancement.

4. NOMINATION REQUIREMENTS
All nominations must include sufficient supporting information and evidence demonstrating the nominee's achievements.
Submissions should include, where applicable:
• Description of the achievement or contribution.
• Evidence of measurable impact.
• Supporting documentation.
• Safety performance records.
• Testimonials or independent recognition.
• Professional qualifications and experience.
• Examples of innovation, leadership, advocacy, training, or mentoring activities.

5. AWARD CATEGORIES AND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
A. GOVERNMENT CATEGORY
1. Excellence in Safety Regulatory Authority
Eligible nominees:
Government agencies, regulatory authorities, or public institutions responsible for safety regulation, oversight, or enforcement.
Assessment considerations:
• Effectiveness of safety regulatory programmes.
• Development and implementation of safety standards.
• Improvement in compliance performance.
• Innovation in regulatory approaches.
• Demonstrable impact on public and workplace safety.

2. Excellence in Safety Advocacy
Eligible nominees:
Government institutions or organisations demonstrating outstanding contribution to promoting safety awareness and advocacy.
Assessment considerations:
• Safety awareness initiatives.
• Public engagement programmes.
• Safety education campaigns.
• Influence on safety culture improvement.

3. Excellence in Safety Emergency and Recovery
Eligible nominees:
Organisations demonstrating excellence in emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience.
Assessment considerations:
• Emergency management systems.
• Crisis response capability.
• Recovery planning.
• Lessons learned and continuous improvement.

B. INDUSTRY CATEGORY
1. Oil and Gas
Eligible nominees:
Oil and gas organisations demonstrating excellence in safety engineering and operational risk management.
Assessment considerations:
• Process safety management.
• Major hazard control.
• Safety leadership.
• Incident prevention performance.
• Innovation in safety systems.

2. Manufacturing
Eligible nominees:
Manufacturing organisations demonstrating outstanding workplace safety performance.
Assessment considerations:
• Hazard control systems.
• Engineering controls.
• Injury prevention initiatives.
• Safety culture development.
• Continuous improvement.

3. Construction
Eligible nominees:
Construction organisations demonstrating excellence in construction safety management.
Assessment considerations:
• Project safety performance.
• Contractor management.
• High-risk activity controls.
• Worker protection systems.
• Safety innovation.

C. INDIVIDUALS – SAFETY ENGINEERS CATEGORY
1. Innovation and Contribution to Safety Engineering
Eligible nominees:
Safety engineers who have developed innovative solutions or made significant technical contributions.
Assessment considerations:
• Innovation.
• Technical contribution.
• Application of engineering principles.
• Measurable safety improvement.

2. Distinguished Service and Advocacy
Eligible nominees:
Safety engineers demonstrating exceptional professional service and advocacy.
Assessment considerations:
• Contribution to the safety profession.
• Leadership in safety advancement.
• Professional service.
• Influence on safety practice.

3. Impact, Training and Mentoring
Eligible nominees:
Safety engineers who have contributed significantly to developing other professionals.
Assessment considerations:
• Training contribution.
• Mentoring activities.
• Knowledge transfer.
• Professional development impact.

D. INDIVIDUALS – SAFETY ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS CATEGORY
1. Leadership Commitment to Safety Engineering
Eligible nominees:
Safety professionals demonstrating exceptional leadership commitment.
Assessment considerations:
• Safety leadership.
• Organisational influence.
• Improvement of safety culture.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety engineering.

2. Positive Influence in Advocacy, Collaboration and Promotion of Safety Engineering
Eligible nominees:
Professionals contributing to safety advocacy and collaboration.
Assessment considerations:
• Professional engagement.
• Industry collaboration.
• Promotion of safety engineering principles.
• Community impact.

3. Professional Development of Safety Engineers and Safety Engineering Professionals
Eligible nominees:
Professionals contributing to education, competence development, and advancement of safety practitioners.
Assessment considerations:
• Development of safety professionals.
• Training initiatives.
• Mentoring.
• Contribution to professional growth.

6. NOMINATION REVIEW PROCESS
All submissions shall undergo the following process:
Stage 1: Administrative Review
Submissions shall be reviewed to confirm eligibility and completeness.
Stage 2: Technical Evaluation
Eligible submissions shall be evaluated by the Judging Panel against approved criteria.
Stage 3: Panel Deliberation
Judges shall review scores, discuss submissions, and make recommendations based on evidence provided.
Stage 4: Final Recommendation
The Judging Panel shall submit final recommendations to the NISafetyE Safety Engineering Awards Committee.

7. JUDGING PRINCIPLES
The judging process shall be guided by:
• Objectivity.
• Professional integrity.
• Evidence-based evaluation.
• Confidentiality.
• Independence.
• Fair consideration of all nominees.

8. CONFIDENTIALITY REQUIREMENTS
All nomination information shall be treated confidentially.
Judges and committee members shall not disclose:
• Nominee information.
• Evaluation scores.
• Panel discussions.
• Recommendations before official announcement

9. APPROVAL

Engr. Francis Etafo, FNSE, FNISafetyE
National Vice Chairman, International Conference & Annual General Meeting
Chairman, NISafetyE Safety Engineering Awards Central Planning Committee
Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers (NISafetyE)
Date: 1st September, 2026