Every year, BESIX teams across all entities and affiliates use the International Labour Organisation’s World Day for Safety & Health at Work on 28 April to organise the Global Safety Time Out, a dedicated moment to reaffirm their commitment to safety, share their experiences, and learn from one another.
This year, over 22,000 participants – including employees, subcontractors, partners and even customers – joined the BESIX Group’s Global Safety Time Out (GSTO), across more than 250 events worldwide. The event demonstrated the power of unity in prioritizing safety. From Belgium to the Middle East, Africa and Australia, teams paused to reflect, engage, and recommit to our shared value: “Care is at our core.”
Three key initiatives were launched:
- engaging Project Management teams in analysing safety data through OASIS – the QHSE observation reporting tool – to drive on-site improvements;
- organizing site-wide discussions on Life Saving Rules with all stakeholders;
- offering a webinar to raise awareness on managing psychological trauma after serious incidents.
The GSTO 2025 stood out for its creativity and adaptability across all regions.
The figures speak for themselves:
- 254 Global Safety Time Out sessions were held
- 22,441 employees and workers participated, more than half of which were subcontractors, partners or customers
Actions speak louder than words.. a glimpse into the many initiatives
- Saudi Arabia: Subcontractor HSE Summits introduced safety league tables and targeted action plans to drive accountability.
- UAE: Combined safety training with cultural activities to make learning more engaging and memorable.
- Tanzania: Shared real-life testimonials in a webinar focused on psychological resilience after serious incidents and organized a live demonstration on falling objects to highlight the importance of Life Saving Rule 2.
- Australia and Europe emphasized leadership visibility, with executives joining workshops and safety walks to model top-down commitment, reinforcing the principle of “leading by example.”
- Middle East: Hosted team-building competitions that blended safety awareness with cultural engagement.
- Qatar: Used digital tools to track progress on safety indicators.
- Luxembourg: Held 30 toolbox sessions, reaching over 1,100 participants.
- Various regions: Organized safety-themed games and worker pledges to create an engaging yet purposeful atmosphere.
The GSTO 2025 has laid a strong foundation for continuous improvement. Across the Group, teams are now applying shared safety practices, enhanced briefings, and expanding the BE SAFE Ambassador programme. The insights gained - especially around psychological support and subcontractor collaboration - will continue to guide us. Together, we’re turning lessons into action and driving real progress toward zero incidents. GSTO 2025 reaffirmed that safety is a fundamental value that defines how we operate every day. Let’s keep the momentum going!