Washington — NIOSH is now accepting nominations for its Prevention through Design Award.
Prevention through Design, or PtD, seeks to protect workers by limiting risks and reducing hazards as soon as possible during the work process – specifically in the design phase of a project.
The annual award recognizes individuals, teams, businesses and other organizations that have “eliminated or reduced hazards through design or redesign efforts or have contributed to the body of knowledge that enables PtD solutions.” It’s presented in partnership with the National Safety Council, the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the American Society of Safety Professionals.
Nominations must benefit workers in the United States and provide examples of PtD being used in a workplace.
Along with smart and innovative designs, nominations also should highlight recent or continuing impact and an effective design safety review process.
Questions nominees may address in their application include:
- What problem were you solving?
- What’s the improved design or process and how does it work?
- What health and safety benefits have been realized or are expected?
- In what ways does your solution – or mix of solutions – move hazard controls further up the Hierarchy of Controls?
- How did you identify hazards, assess risk, assess alternatives and decide on solutions?
Nominations are due by June 1. The award will be presented in September during the 2026 NSC Safety Congress & Expo in Indianapolis.
