Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme wins IOSH Health and Safety Team of the Year Award
The Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme – interim project has been recognised with the prestigious Health and Safety Team of the Year award at the IOSH Awards 2026.
Delivered on behalf of the Environment Agency, the project actively manages 8.8km of coastal defences at Pevensey Bay, helping to protect around 10,000 homes and businesses from predicted storm and surge events.
The team uses heavy-duty plant to reprofile, recycle, bypass and recharge shingle, ensuring the coastal defences remain effective against extreme weather conditions. Regular beach surveys are also undertaken to monitor the condition and performance of the defences.
Working in a challenging and ever-changing coastal environment, the team has built a strong culture of collaboration, mutual respect and accountability, balancing complex operational demands with an unwavering commitment to safety.
Recognising the team's achievements, the IOSH Awards judges described the project as:
"A standout entry. The team demonstrated clear collaboration, with well-defined goals and objectives. The Environment Agency is clearly doing excellent work to control high-risk activities in a challenging and largely uncontrolled workspace, involving heavy plant and the ever-changing conditions of the sea."
The award recognises the team's dedication to protecting communities, maintaining vital coastal infrastructure and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of colleagues and the public.
Congratulations to all those who have contributed to this fantastic achievement.