Celebrating outstanding achievements in safety, innovation and cultural change across the European foundations industry.
The European Federation of Foundation Contractors (EFFC) is delighted to announce the three winners of the **EFFC Health & Safety Awards 2026**.
Following a voting process involving representatives from the EFFC Executive, Safety and Sustainability Working Groups and industry experts, three outstanding entries have been selected for their contributions to improving safety, encouraging innovation and strengthening working practices across the foundations industry.
This year’s awards featured three categories, reflecting the EFFC’s commitment to recognising achievements of all sizes and encouraging the sharing of best practices throughout Europe.
Safety Performers Award – BAM Ground Engineering (United Kingdom)
Winning team: Huddersfield Tunnels Team
BAM Ground Engineering’s Huddersfield Tunnels Team has been recognised for its outstanding approach to eliminating occupational health and safety risks during the Transpennine Route Upgrade project.
Working in challenging railway tunnel environments, the team introduced mechanised and remotely controlled drilling methods, replacing traditional handheld equipment and eliminating exposure to Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) during drilling operations.
The initiative achieved remarkable results, including the elimination of 2,480 person-hours of HAVS exposure, alongside significant reductions in manual handling and time spent in hazardous environments.
Through innovative engineering solutions, dedicated training and 28 structured lessons-learned sessions, the team demonstrated how safety and productivity can improve together.
Their achievement provides an inspiring example of how risks can be eliminated through innovation, collaboration and strong leadership.
Foundations Industry Innovation Award – Volker Staal en Funderingen (The Netherlands)
Winning entry: Remote-Controlled Vacuum Lifting Beam for Safe Pipe Pile Handling
Volker Staal en Funderingen (VSF) has been recognised for developing an innovative lifting solution that significantly improves safety when handling large steel pipe piles.
Developed as part of Project KIJK, the fully electric, remotely operated vacuum lifting beam allows steel pipe piles to be lifted, positioned and transported without requiring workers to approach suspended loads.
The system combines vacuum lifting technology, automatic hydraulic locking arms and integrated positioning fans, eliminating the need for manual rigging and load guidance.
By removing workers from hazardous lifting zones, the innovation significantly reduces safety risks while improving operational efficiency and supporting more sustainable working methods.
This practical solution demonstrates how innovative equipment can transform traditional construction processes and create safer working environments across the foundations industry.
Cultural Change Initiatives Award – Aarsleff PL (Poland)
Winning entry: Building a Culture of Open Hazard Reporting
Aarsleff PL has been recognised for its successful initiative to create a workplace culture built on trust, openness and shared responsibility for safety.
The company introduced a dedicated Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) reporting module within its existing employee application, allowing workers to easily report hazardous situations and near-miss incidents, either anonymously or by name.
By combining accessible digital reporting tools with direct management involvement, employee engagement and practical training, Aarsleff has encouraged employees to speak openly about potential hazards without fear of blame.
Over the past three years, 580 hazard and near-miss reports have been registered, enabling the company to identify recurring risks, share lessons learned and implement preventive measures across its projects.
The initiative has helped transform hazard reporting into a positive and proactive part of everyday working practices, demonstrating the importance of trust and employee involvement in building a lasting safety culture.
Celebrating Excellence Across Europe
The EFFC warmly congratulates all three winners on their outstanding achievements and thanks every organisation that participated in this year’s awards.
The entries demonstrate the dedication, creativity and commitment of foundation contractors across Europe to creating safer, healthier and more sustainable workplaces.
All entries submitted for the EFFC Health & Safety Awards 2026 will be published on the EFFC website in the coming weeks, giving the wider industry the opportunity to discover these inspiring initiatives, exchange knowledge and learn from best practices across Europe.
Official Award Ceremony – March 2027
The three winners will be invited to the EFFC Executive Meeting in Germany in March 2027, where they will officially receive their trophies.
During the event, the winners will also have the opportunity to present their successful initiatives to EFFC members, sharing their experiences, achievements and lessons learned with representatives from across the European foundations industry.
Congratulations to all our winners! Together, we are building a safer and more sustainable foundations industry.