UK materials handling show IMHX has launched an awards programme for the handling and storage industry to highlight the importance of product design in improving safety.

Organised by IMHX co-owners Quartz Publishing & Exhibitions Ltd and the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA), the Design 4 Safety Awards are open to all 300-plus anticipated exhibitors at IMHX 2010, which is held at the NEC in Birmingham from 16-19 November.

Quartz IMHX event director Rob Fisher says the awards will promote and reward innovative thinking about handling and storage safety regardless of product type or cost.

BITA secretary general James Clark adds that IMHX is a "huge opportunity to promote the importance of safety, celebrate excellence in design and raise wider awareness of the industry's commitment to safety".

Exhibitors can nominate any number of products or services in each of the competition's four categories - industrial trucks, racking and storage, automation and technology. Three entries for each category will be shortlisted by 1 September and the winners will be announced at a special VIP Awards Breakfast on the first day of IMHX.

An independent panel of materials handling and health and safety experts, chaired by a senior figure from the Health & Safety Executive, will undertake the shortlisting and final judging of the entries.

The winners will be those deemed to provide the strongest evidence of a measurable contribution to safety awareness or the rate of incident reduction.

Shortlisted products will be highlighted in the show catalogue and featured in the IMHX Design 4 Safety showcase zone at the exhibition while category winners will get certificates, trophies and flyers to use on their stands.

An official entry form is available at www.imhx.biz/forms/dsa. Entries close on 30 July.