INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- The sixth annual Prevention through Design (PtD) Award was presented to Square Robot, Inc., a Massachusetts-based company that specializes in robotic tank inspection services, for its excellence in eliminating hazards through innovative safety design. The PtD Award was presented at the 2026 NSC Safety Congress & Expo in collaboration with the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH), the National Safety Council, the American Society for Safety Professionals and the American Industrial Hygiene Association.

Led by NIOSH, Prevention through Design is a strategy for preventing and controlling occupational injuries and fatalities by “designing out” hazards and risks. According to the hierarchy of controls, the elimination of workplace hazards is the most effective way to protect workers. The annual PtD Award highlights real-world success in PtD efforts to protect workers. Through this award, partners recognize leaders and encourage further use of PtD methods. This year’s award ceremony honored Square Robot’s work to reduce exposure to hazardous environments. 

Square Robot was nominated for designing a fully submersible robotic inspection system that mitigates confined space hazards by eliminating the need for workers to enter tanks for inspection. Emissions hazards are also reduced as the tanks remain sealed, removing the need for ventilation and atmospheric monitoring. Across 385 tanks inspected, Square Robot has helped contain more than 695 tons of volatile organic compound emissions and reduced confined space entries to zero.

“With their innovative spirit and dogged commitment to eliminating confined space hazards, Square Robot has demonstrated remarkable achievement in improving the safety and wellbeing of many workers,” said Lorraine Martin, NSC CEO. “Their work exemplifies the impact that designing systems safely from the start can have on preventing injuries and fatalities. The National Safety Council applauds Square Robot for helping lead us into a future where every employee returns home safe from every shift.”

The NIOSH PtD annual award recognizes individuals, teams and organizations that have eliminated or reduced hazards through design or redesign efforts or have contributed to the body of knowledge that enables PtD solutions. Learn more about the PtD award. To learn more about the NSC Safety Congress & Expo, visit congress.nsc.org.