For the first time in its history, SAWO brought together everyone who truly feels the PASSION FOR SAFETY. Under this banner, an initiative of the OHS community—coordinated by the National Association of OHS Service Employees—was launched.

As a result, on April 13, 2026, special trains departed from Lublin, Wrocław, Olsztyn, and Szczecin. These journeys became the first meeting spaces, fostering integration and knowledge exchange among professionals responsible for workplace safety in Poland. The trains served as mobile platforms for workshops, presentations, and industry meetings, enabling participants to share experiences and discuss contemporary safety challenges. On the Lublin–Poznań route, Marcin Stanecki, Chief Labour Inspector, joined the journey, sharing his expertise in occupational health and safety as well as work-life balance.

Achieving Vision ZERO

On the first day, a conference organized by the National Labour Inspectorate and the Regional Labour Inspectorate in Poznań took place under the title: “Vision ZERO – from awareness to action. How to build employee engagement in improving working conditions?”

“Cooperation, dialogue, and engagement are the foundation of a safe working environment. For years, the National Labour Inspectorate has been promoting best practices, education, and supporting both employers and employees in building high OHS standards,” said Chief Labour Inspector Marcin Stanecki during the opening.

This year, conferences are being held in each of the 16 districts, with Poznań being the second in the series. Each focuses on different issues—16 regions, 16 perspectives, and 16 approaches to reducing workplace accidents in Poland.

“Vision ZERO is a concept that resembles a philosophy of workplace life. It goes beyond machine guards or certified helmets. True and lasting employee engagement arises only where three pillars are harmoniously integrated: technical safety, physical health, and psychosocial well-being,” emphasized the Chief Labour Inspector.

Discussions and Networking

The program also included thematic panels covering: First Aid, Ergonomics, Chemicals, Energy, and Working at Heights, moderated by Artur Lipowicz from BeHaPix. A strong Italian accent was also present during the first day. Confindustria Polonia organized an Italian-style networking meeting to inaugurate and present the “Safety in Action” project—a series of events across Polish cities focused on personal protective equipment (PPE).

Safety Culture

The conference and workshops organized by the Safety Culture Foundation aimed to familiarize participants with proven international approaches to workplace safety and demonstrate how neuroscience supports safer behaviors and better decision-making at work. The event addressed common mistakes and challenges in safety management and featured discussions among experts and business leaders sharing practical solutions.

Awards titled “Faces of Safety” were also presented, honoring individuals who are actively transforming the approach to safety in Poland. The workshop “Emotional Support as an عنصر of Building a Safety Culture” was dedicated to those with experience in accident situations, members of post-incident teams, and individuals seeking to consciously build a culture of safety and support.

Shape the Future of IOSH — Join Our Innovation Focus Group was a session led by Melissa Sabella, Head of New Product Innovation at IOSH. It provided an opportunity to explore how IOSH can better support organizations in preventing harm and improving quality of working life.

Expert Presentations

The conference “Practical Workshops on the Selection of Personal Protective Equipment” was opened by Dr. Eng. Józef Witczak, President of the Main Board of OSPS BHP. The importance of PPE in health protection was discussed, followed by presentations on hazard identification, occupational risk assessment, and the importance of measuring harmful factors in the work environment.

A representative of the Romanian OHS delegation, Adrian Ispasoiu, President of ARSSM, also delivered a presentation.

A Portfolio of Inspiration

On the second day, a conference organized in cooperation with the Central Institute for Labour Protection – National Research Institute and the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) took place under the title: “OSH Pulse 2025: employees and employers in a world of pressure, digitalization, and climate change.” “The meetings accompanying the trade fair complement the presentation of the latest technologies with knowledge derived from research and scientific experience,” said CIOP-PIB Director Agnieszka Szczygielska during the opening.

The conference aimed to answer what currently matters most in workplace safety. It provided a platform combining scientific, practical, regulatory, and administrative perspectives. The latest findings from the “OSH Pulse 2025” study were presented, highlighting the condition of Polish employees compared to Europe and key challenges for employers and OHS services.

Experts discussed, among others, changes in anti-mobbing regulations, demographic shifts, age management, and the role of employee competencies in safety. Topics also included psychosocial risks such as digital fatigue, information overload, burnout, and psychological violence in digital workplaces, as well as methods for managing these risks.

“Developing anti-mobbing procedures by employers should be mandatory. The lack of such procedures should be treated as a legal offense,” stated Chief Labour Inspector Marcin Stanecki.

“I’m glad we could contribute this small piece to your ‘portfolio of inspiration’ that you will take back from this fair,” concluded Agnieszka Szczygielska.

The BHP SAWO Fashion Show

The first-ever BHP SAWO Fashion Show took place on the second day of the trade fair and immediately attracted large crowds. Cutting-edge technological solutions, safety, freedom of movement, and aesthetics were just some of the features showcased in the collections presented by models on the runway set up in front of the main SAWO stage.

The following companies presented their clothing and accessories collections: Bennon Group S.A., CWS Workwear Polska sp. z o.o., Mewa Textil – Service SE & CO. Management OHG, Milwaukee, and PIP Global Safety.

Alongside SAWO, the SECUREX Security Fair and the INSTALACJE Trade Fair were also held, creating an opportunity for an even broader exploration of solutions supporting safe and efficient environments for both living and working.

By participating in this block of trade fairs, visitors had the opportunity to discover ways to create modern, intelligent workplaces where technology actively supports the protection of employees’ health and lives.

THANK YOU!