World Day for Safety and Health at Work: What if your company took action?
Every April 28th, the International Labour Organization (ILO) sounds the alarm. This day is not just another symbolic date on the HR calendar: it reveals the true state of prevention in our companies. In France, the figures are undeniable. For QHSE, HSE, and HR managers, as well as executives, this day is an opportunity to translate awareness into concrete, measurable, and sustainable actions.
April 28: a day of international mobilization
Officially launched in 2003 by the ILO, World Day for Safety and Health at Work commemorates workers injured or killed in the line of duty every April 28. It also aims to celebrate the potential of prevention. In 2025, the theme chosen by the ILO was particularly ambitious: «"Revolutionizing health and safety: the role of AI and digitalization in the workplace"».
Globally, nearly 2.78 million workers die each year as a result of workplace accidents or occupational diseases. France is not spared: in 2024, the French National Health Insurance (Assurance Maladie) recorded 549,614 workplace accidents (excluding commuting accidents), in addition to 50,598 recognized occupational diseases, an increase of 6.7% compared to the previous year. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) alone account for nearly 90% of occupational diseases.
Why prevention is an investment, not an expense
The question often comes up in executive committee meetings: “Is it profitable to invest in prevention?” The figures provide a clear answer. According to the OPPBTP (French Professional Organization for Prevention in the Construction and Public Works Sector), every euro invested in prevention generates an average of €2.34 in savings. The average direct cost of a single workplace accident resulting in lost time is estimated at €4,800. But indirect costs—reorganization, employee replacement, loss of productivity, and the impact on team morale—can represent three to five times this amount.
Furthermore, a high accident rate automatically leads to an increase in the company's occupational accident and illness insurance premiums. Conversely, a rigorous prevention approach directly reduces this rate, with a measurable budgetary impact from the second year onwards.
«Prevention isn’t just about ticking regulatory boxes. It’s a company culture. Organizations that have deeply integrated it see their teams more engaged, their absenteeism decrease, and their attractiveness to talent increase. April 28th is a fantastic opportunity to drive this momentum forward.»
When should you initiate preventive action in your company?
Prevention shouldn't wait for an accident. Several key dates throughout the year provide natural opportunities to mobilize your teams:
These dates provide an entry point for launching or strengthening a prevention strategy. Medisur supports companies throughout the year, regardless of the chosen time period.
Medisur's 360° prevention: training, screening and counter-expertise
Medisur is the only player in France to offer a truly comprehensive prevention approach, structured around three complementary pillars:
- Training and awareness-raising Interactive workshops, management training, real-life simulations
- Workplace screening Certified screening kits to detect risky substance use (psychotropic drugs, alcohol)
- The counter-expertise support in case of dispute or sensitive situation
Our flagship workshops for April 28th
Suitable for all sectors, our workshops can be deployed in companies in less than 48 hours:
- Rollover Car Workshop — Rollover simulator to raise visceral awareness of occupational road risk
- Workplace Nutrition Workshop — Nutrition, energy and alertness: preventing fatigue and drops in concentration
- Psychotropic Drug Training — Identify, prevent and manage substance use in the workplace
- Health and Safety Management Training — Equipping managers to become true agents of prevention on a daily basis
5 concrete actions to launch right now
Here is an action-oriented roadmap, applicable regardless of the size of your organization:
- Take stock of your DUERP (Single Document for Risk Assessment). Is your Single Document for the Assessment of Occupational Risks up to date? It is the foundation of any serious prevention approach. Its annual review is a legal obligation.
- Identify the priority risks within your teams Road safety, musculoskeletal disorders, psychotropic drugs, psychosocial risks… each sector has its own specific characteristics. Medisur helps you prioritize according to your context.
- Plan an awareness campaign for April 28th Rollover car workshop, nutrition session, manager training: a well-organized half-day can bring about lasting changes in behavior.
- Equip your field managers with screening tools the Medisur psychotropic drug screening kit allows your managers to detect a risky situation in minutes, with all the necessary legal framework.
- Measure and communicate your results Frequency rate, severity rate, absenteeism rate: define your KPIs and share progress with your teams to embed the safety culture.
They trust us: NaTran's testimonial
Do you want to organize a safety prevention initiative in your company? Pascal will help you build a tailor-made program, adapted to your challenges and your sector.
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