Two days filled with innovation, networking, lively discussions and, at times, confronting stories. On 7 and 8 October, Safety&Health@Work 2026 once again showed just how broad the field of safe and healthy working has become. With 153 exhibitors, growing attention for technology and training, and a successful new Network Plaza, the trade show at Rotterdam Ahoy also demonstrated that safety is continuously evolving. The main conclusion? Safety starts with people. And it grows through collaboration.
With 3,428 visitors and 153 exhibitors, the organisers look back on a successful edition. The number of exhibitors increased by more than 14 percent compared with 2024. The knowledge and training and technology and robotics segments in particular showed growth. The range of protective clothing, safety equipment and materials remained stable.
That development was also visible on the exhibition floor. From smart sensors, AI and wearables to personal protective equipment, training and practical workplace solutions: visitors were able to immerse themselves in the latest developments for two days. But the conversations were at least as important. Technology can achieve a great deal, but without a strong safety culture, trust and collaboration, its impact remains limited.
Safety is the engine for growth
That was also the common thread throughout the content programme. Rudy Pont, A320 captain and safety advisor, immediately set the tone on the first day of the event. Drawing on his experiences in aviation, he showed why looking for someone to blame after an incident generally achieves very little. After all, people do not come to work to make mistakes. Those who truly want to learn from incidents need to look at the systems, circumstances and organisational choices within which people work. His message: "You don’t live long enough to make all the mistakes yourself. So make sure you learn from others.”
Edith van der Reijden, Director of the Rotterdam-Rijnmond Safety Region, also emphasised the importance of collaboration. "We used to always talk about self-reliance. Nowadays, we talk about collective resilience, because you can’t do it alone.” A message that extends beyond the company gates and also applies to the resilience of our society.
On the second day of the event, Johan Tins made a deep impression with his personal story about a serious workplace accident. His experiences painfully demonstrated what can happen when routine, assumptions and miscommunication come together. His confronting question to the safety professionals present was: "How would you feel if your own child were working on this site?”
At the same time, the programme offered plenty of insight into the future. Guus de Hoog showed how wearables, AI and smart sensors can identify risks earlier. Rijkswaterstaat highlighted the enormous safety challenge involved in maintaining and renewing the Dutch infrastructure.
Network Plaza leaves visitors wanting more
A successful new addition was the Network Plaza, supported by evofenedex, SSVV, VVGW, Bouwend Nederland, eX and VOMI. The central meeting place provided space for knowledge sharing, presentations and new contacts. The initiative will therefore return at the next edition.
Theo de Vliegh, Managing Director of AllSafety, Chair of VVGW and member of the Safety&Health@Work advisory committee, described it, partly because of the success of the Network Plaza, as the "Best edition so far. By far. This was a trade show exactly as a trade show should be.”
Exhibition Manager Pieter Bas Dujardin also looks back with satisfaction. "The growth of the event shows how important safe and healthy working is. But what I value most is that people share knowledge and experiences here. It is precisely that connection between practice, technology and behaviour that makes the difference. That is what we will continue to build on in future editions.”
The next edition of Safety&Health@Work will take place on 4 and 5 October 2028 at Rotterdam Ahoy.
