Every year, BESIX teams across all entities and affiliates gather on April 28 for the International Labour Organisation’s World Day for Safety & Health at Work, marked by a Global Safety Time Out. This dedicated moment gives teams the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to safety, share experiences and learn from one another.
This year, more than 18,500 participants, including employees, subcontractors, partners and even customers, joined the initiative worldwide. In total, 125 sessions were recorded in OASIS, reflecting the Group’s strong engagement. From Europe to the Middle East, Africa, Brazil and Australia, teams paused their work to reflect, exchange ideas and recommit to a shared priority: Life Saving Rule 3 – I keep myself out of the line of fire.
Anticipating danger and choosing safer positions
On construction sites, risks can emerge when people are unintentionally exposed to moving equipment, lifted loads, pressurised systems or other hazardous zones. Life Saving Rule 3 goes beyond procedures alone: it focuses on awareness and behaviour. It reminds each of us that anticipating danger and deliberately choosing safer positions can help prevent serious incidents. Staying clear of hazardous areas at all times, including with every part of the body, is essential.
This year’s sessions focused on three key risk areas:
- Moving equipment
- Lifted loads
- Pressurised equipment
Adaptable materials enabled sites to bring the topic to life using their own examples. Many teams tailored the discussions to their daily reality, making the sessions practical and concrete. The programme was further strengthened by a safety video on mobile equipment and an interactive quiz, both of which helped boost engagement. A key milestone this year was the translation of the materials into 23 languages, with local teams validating the content to ensure both accuracy and relevance on the ground.
Also focusing on mental well-being
In addition to physical safety, this year’s Global Safety Time Out also highlighted mental well-being. A dedicated webinar, “Stress management in real life”, helped participants better understand stress, recognise their own warning signs, and explore practical ways to manage it at work.
The session also helped strengthen a culture of empathy, supporting teams in sustaining safe and resilient performance in demanding project environments. The webinar is available for replay on BESIX Academy.
Looking ahead: keeping the momentum
Each edition of the Global Safety Time Out strengthens our shared commitment to continuous improvement. By proactively managing risks, learning from experience, and sharing best practices across our projects, we continue to promote safer and healthier workplaces.
Discover more about Life Saving Rule 3 – I keep myself out of the line of fire in the GSTO 2026 video: