Binnies is proud to have played a key role in the award-winning Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme, which has been recognised as the winner of the ‘Health and safety team of the year’ category at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) Awards 2026. The scheme, delivered on behalf of the Environment Agency, was praised by judges as a “standout entry” for its collaborative approach, clear objectives and outstanding management of health and safety risks in a challenging coastal environment.
As Principal Designer, Binnies works alongside the Environment Agency and project partners to coordinate complex operational activities across the frontage, ensuring safety, wellbeing and operational resilience remain at the heart of project delivery. Our role supports the safe management of works in a uniquely challenging environment, where heavy plant operates on a public beach that remains open year-round, and teams must respond rapidly to changing tides, weather conditions and storm events.
In recognising the scheme, the judges commented:
The Pevensey Beach management project protects more than 10,000 homes and businesses along an 8.8 km stretch of the East Sussex coastline. Through the active management of coastal defences, including beach reprofiling, recycling, bypassing, recharge activities and regular monitoring, the scheme helps safeguard communities from flooding and coastal erosion while maintaining protection against significant storm and surge events.
The project has established an exceptional safety record, achieving more than 49,200 site hours worked, zero lost time injuries and 138 positive safety interventions. The collaborative culture across the project team encourages challenge, continuous improvement and mutual respect, ensuring risks are effectively managed while protecting both workers and the public.
This award is recognition of the dedication, expertise and partnership shown by the Environment Agency, Binnies and the wider project team in delivering a safer, more resilient coastline for the communities of East Sussex.
Read the full case study: Leading coastal resilience at Pevensey Bay