What is World Health and Safety Day?

World Day for Safety and Health at Work is fast approaching, celebrated on 28 April. In 2026, the theme chosen by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is ‘Good psychosocial working environments: A pathway to thriving workers and strong organizations. This focuses our attention on the importance of employee well-being and the effective functioning of teams for safety at work.

What exactly is World Health and Safety Day?

The main objective of this day is to raise awareness about preventing hazards at work and changing the health and safety culture. Each year, a special theme is chosen to focus on current challenges and issues in the workplace.

The significance of the name World Health and Safety Day

Today, we know 28 April as World Health and Safety Day, but this was not always the name. Its origins date back to 1989 in the USA (and later Canada), when Workers' Memorial Day was celebrated. In 2001, the ILO became involved in the celebrations for the first time and began organising events related to occupational safety. In 2003, World Health and Safety Day was officially established, and in 2004, the annual tradition of giving the celebrations a specific theme began.

What is the psychosocial work environment?

This refers to how work is designed, organised and managed, and what social relationships exist in the workplace. If these factors are negative, they become psychosocial hazards that can lead to stress, burnout, health problems or decreased efficiency. A healthy, positive environment reduces stress and gives high job satisfaction, while a poor one cause exhaustion and illness. This is a broad concept that basically refers to how the individual experiences and responds to his or her surroundings.

The most important psychosocial factors at work

The most important psychosocial factors at work relate to how work is organized, managed, and experienced by employees. They directly influence not only well-being and mental health, but also engagement, productivity, and overall safety performance. The most important psychosocial factors at work:

• excessive workloads,

• ineffective communication,

• pace of work-team relations,

• job stability,

• work-life balance,

• clarity of the position.

It is important not to confuse certain factors with the actual requirements of the position. Work can be fast-paced and intense, but it is worth paying attention to whether we have the support and resources that allow us to develop and motivate us to act.

If you want to encourage regular discussions about wellbeing and mental health within your organisation, use the Well Moment cards.

Prevention and management of psychosocial risks

Implementing psychosocial risk management strategies in companies still remains a considerable challenge. It requires a shift from traditional, tangible safety measures to more complex and sophisticated methods and changes in organisations. The first step is to identify risks through employee involvement and consultation, so that the collected data can then be analysed. Next, start by looking for the simplest solutions to quickly implement changes that will yield long-term results. Consistency is important, but so is openness to change in order to build a positive, safe working environment together.

World Health and Safety Day is a key event in the field of safety, observed globally as an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of preventing accidents and occupational diseases. It brings together organizations, leaders, and employees to reflect on current practices and explore ways to build safer, healthier workplaces. Each year, the day highlights a specific theme that addresses emerging challenges in the world of work—ranging from mental health and well-being to the impact of new technologies and changing work environments. This focus encourages companies not only to comply with regulations, but to go beyond them by fostering a proactive culture of safety.