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Nearly 80 companies involved in food, drink and tobacco manufacturing have been honoured at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Occupational Health and Safety Awards (RoSPA) in the UK.

The sector winner was Devro (Scotland) Ltd of Glasgow, with Dairygold Quality Feeds – Lombardstown Feed Mill, County Cork, commended.

Other food, drink and tobacco companies won 25 silver awards, 29 gold awards, 13 gold medals, six President's awards and one order of distinction. Yeo Valley Farms Ltd (Four Sites) won a QSA Level 5 Diamond Award in recognition of its high performance when its health and safety management system was audited.

RoSPA Chief Executive Tom Mullarkey, said: "Our sector awards are about recognising the 'best of the best' in UK business and overseas as well. This year the level of competition for entrants to be selected as overall winner in their sector has been as intense as ever. Winners have had to demonstrate not just real director-level leadership, sound procedures, access to professional advice and thorough workforce involvement; they have also had to show how health and safety performance has been pursued throughout the business as a key objective.

"Other organisations which have yet to raise their game in this vital area have much to learn from them. And those higher-performers that may still be sceptical about the value of health and safety awards need to cast their doubts aside and put themselves to the test."

The awards, sponsored by NEBOSH, were presented over three days (May 13-15) of gala dinners and ceremonies at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel and attended by nearly 3,000 people. Lord Jordan of Bournville, RoSPA Deputy President, Vice-President Lord Brougham and Vaux as well as RoSPA Chief Executive Tom Mullarkey made presentations.