Creating safer workplaces on world day of safety and health at work

Today, the 28th of April, is World Day for Safety and Health at Work, which is an initiative led by the International Labour Organisation to help stop workplace accidents, incidents and diseases across the globe. For UK businesses, this day for safety and health at work should not just be a day of reflection, however, it can be a great opportunity to assess and evaluate how well you are protecting your employees, as well as helping to strengthen your safety practices, keeping them in line with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

What actually is world safety and health at work day?

The world day for safety and health at work was created in 2003 to help raise awareness for safe work practices and to honour those who have suffered or passed away due to unsafe working conditions.

The International Labour Organisation selects a different theme each year, normally with a focus on new or common risks or sector-specific hazards. For example, this year, 28th April 2025, has the theme of “Technology should protect, not replace, workers' rights”, which explores the fact that today, robots operate in hazardous and dangerous environments, by doing the heavy lifting, lifting or using toxic materials and working in extreme heat or freezing temperatures. They are able to take on repetitive and monotonous tasks, while digital devices and sensors can detect hazards early on. However, alternatively, digital technologies can lead to accidents, ergonomic risks, work intensification, reduced job control and blurred boundaries.

Why this day should matter to UK employers

According to the law of the UK, employers have a legal responsibility to protect their employees from harm, as outlined in the Health and Safety at Work Act. The consequences of not complying with these laws can be very serious; leading to possible injuries, poor morale or even fines and legal action.

Beyond just complying with these laws, prioritising health and safety in your workplace can boost productivity, improve your employees trust, and reduce absences. For schools, warehouses, offices, construction sites or any other workplace, this is the perfect day to review and analyse your safety protocols and first aid supplies.

Review and refresh your first aid supplies

The first step in making your workplace safer is to fully assess your current, or lack of, first aid equipment and to make sure it meets health and safety law standards. This includes checking whether your first aid kits still have all their supplies in date, easily accessible in an emergency, and are fully stocked up with the necessary equipment based on the risks of your workplace.

If you are an employer in a multiple room, or larger facility such as a school or warehouse, it is recommended not only placing workplace first aid kits in strategic locations for faster emergency response, but to also have first aid signs, to make these first aid kit locations a lot more visible, leading to a faster response in an emergency. Transport businesses or mobile workers may also benefit from a vehicle first aid kit, which is specifically made for roadside first aid needs.

Protect your workers with the right PPE

Employers are also required to provide the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) based on the risks of that specific sector workplace. According to the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2022, this can include everything from gloves and goggles to respiratory protection such as an ffp3 mask.

Other important PPE can include a hi vis vest, or a personalised hi vis vest. This is highly beneficial, as not only are your employees highly visible in your workplace or in a public place, but their role or name can be clearly identified, as well as a branded logo displayed.

Organise and carry supplies with a durable first aid bag

Whether you are running events, managing sports teams, supervising school field trips, or working across different construction sites, having your first aid supplies in an easily portable, and well organised haversack bag is very important.

Our first aid rucksacks are made for fast response with many compartments as well as great high visibility. For a simpler, more easily portable design, a first aid bum bag can keep your hands free whilst still carrying the basics for medical needs.

Build a stronger reporting culture

Incident and accident reporting is not just about compliance with health and safety law, however, it is also about learning and preventing future harm and dangers. Under RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations), certain workplace accidents and illnesses must be recorded and reported correctly.

For schools and educational settings, we recommend using school accident books, to ensure a clear, organised, and legally compliant way to document accidents and illness of students. These accident books can create duplicate copies, which allows both the school and parents to keep a copy, which is an important part of safeguarding.

Training your team on emergency response, first aid, and CPR

Training CPR and first aid can empower your staff to act fast and confidently in medical emergencies. A workplace with trained first aiders is not only compliant with HSE requirements but makes your employees better prepared to save lives.

A first aid training kit gives you and your employees all of the important tools you need to run training sessions in-house, including items such as a CPR dummy, bandages and dressings, as well as much more. This is helpful especially in schools and care settings where regular practice of first aid and CPR can massively help to build staff confidence.

Carry out a workplace safety assessment

Today is a great day to carry out a health and safety assessment on your workplace. Have a deep look at risk assessments, fire evacuation plans, manual handling procedures, and safety signage. It could be very beneficial to ask your employees for their input, as those on the ground often spot hazards that go completely unnoticed at management level.

Creating a checklist for each department or site within your workplace could be a big help into making your workplace safer. Moreover, you can use that checklist to prioritise and make improvements over the next few weeks. 

Make health and safety a year-round priority

World Day for Safety and Health at Work is a day to reflect and act on your workplace and the current health and safety protocols and supplies you have. However, true safety culture happens every day. You should equip your team with the tools they need, consider training them to respond in an emergency, and help to create a workplace where dangers and risks are openly discussed and sorted.