For Immediate Media Release

MEDIA RELEASE

Saskatchewan-Based Canadian Not-for-Profit Hosts Global Occupational Safety and Health Forum with Participants from 12 Countries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2026

SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA — The International Research Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IRIOSH), a Canadian federally incorporated not-for-profit initiative based in Saskatchewan, successfully concluded the IRIOSH Global Occupational Safety and Health Forum 2026, bringing together nearly 200 participants from 12 countries in an international virtual dialogue focused on psychosocial well-being, workplace safety, research collaboration, and sustainable communities.

Hosted virtually from Saskatchewan, Canada, the forum welcomed university professors, research scientists, doctoral scholars, occupational safety and health regulators, public sector professionals, workplace safety practitioners, collaborators, and community leaders from multiple international regions and communities including Canada, Australia, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and other global communities. There were 400+ registrants showing interests from 17 countries or regions. 

The IRIOSH Global OSH Forum theme emphasized:

“Psychosocial Well-being at Work – Global Insights, Local Action.”

The forum explored emerging occupational safety and health challenges including psychosocial risks, sustainable workplace systems, research collaboration, worker well-being, and the interconnected relationship between healthy workplaces and sustainable communities.

Dr. Arjun Kathayat, Founder, President, and Executive Director of IRIOSH, stated:

“This forum demonstrated that advancing safer, healthier, and more sustainable workplaces requires collaboration across borders, disciplines, and communities. We are deeply encouraged by the global participation and the shared commitment toward positive psychosocial impact, research, and sustainable futures.”

Lucille Dunn, Mayor of Manor, Saskatchewan, and Chairperson of the IRIOSH Board of Directors, delivered welcoming remarks and stated:

“We are proud to host such a meaningful and globally relevant gathering focused on creating safer, healthier, and more sustainable workplaces and communities worldwide.”

IRIOSH Global Occupational Safety and Health Forum 2026 – Agenda and Activities

Forum Agenda Summary

The forum included pre-event video presentations, welcoming remarks, an inaugural opening address, a featured government perspective, an international panel discussion, and closing reflections.

Pre-event video presentations included:

1. Integrating Psychosocial Well-being into Indonesia's Industrial Hygiene Framework — Muthia Ashifa (Indonesia)
2. Psychosocial Risks in Healthcare — Dr. Khadizah H. Abdul-Mumin (Brunei)
3. From Guidelines to Enforcement: DOSH Malaysia's Role in Advancing Psychosocial Safety at Work — Ir. Dr. Nor Halim Hasan (Malaysia)
4. Safeguarding Mental Health in AI-Driven Work Environment — Dr. Muhammad Asif (Saudi Arabia)
5. The Hidden Hazards: Recognizing Psychosocial Risks in Modern Workplaces — Dr. Mohd Rafee Baharudin (Malaysia)
6. Psychosocial Safety as a Global Business Imperative: Featuring Siemens EHS Leadership (Ms. Maja Stojanovic, Germany) (Was unable to present, despite the earlier comittment).
7. Confronting Burnout, Financial Stress, and Silent Struggles in Nigerian Workplaces — Dr. Odu Josiah Oluwaseun (Nigeria)
8. Integrating Mental Health into OSH Management Systems — Mr. Lee Koo Yong, KOSHA (South Korea)
9. The Psychosocial Risk Management in Medium-Rise Residential Construction — Dr. Luper Joseph Noah, University of Southern Queensland (Australia)
10. Ensuring Bangladeshi Workers’ Mental Well-being — Professor AKM Masum UI Alam (Bangladesh)

Forum program highlights included:

• Welcoming Remarks — Ms. Lucille Dunn, Mayor, Village of Manor (Saskatchewan, Canada), and Chairperson, IRIOSH Board of Directors

• Inaugural Global Opening Address
“Advancing Psychosocial Safety for a Decent Work Future” — Dr. Arjun Kathayat, Founder, President & Executive Director, IRIOSH

• Featured Government Perspective
“Leading with Care: Managerial Behaviours That Build Psychologically Safe Teams” — Keynote Speaker - Mr. Bryan Lloyd, Executive Director of Occupational Health and Safety, Government of Saskatchewan

• Global Panel Discussion
“IRIOSH Global OSH Forum: Psychosocial Well-being at Work – Global Insights, Local Action” — Moderated by Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd Rafee Baharudin

• Closing Ceremony

Acknowledgement

IRIOSH acknowledges the dedicated efforts of its International Advisory Council (IAC), global volunteers, collaborators, organizing members, and international community partners whose collective contributions made the IRIOSH Global Occupational Safety and Health Forum 2026 possible. IRIOSH also recognizes the early support and encouragement provided by the Village of Manor and the Town of Carlyle, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Special appreciation is extended to Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd Rafee Baharudin ("Dr. Rafee"), founding chairperson of the IRIOSH-IAC, who was also the chairperson of the IRIOSH Global OSH Forum 2026 organizing committee, for his leadership, moderation, and continued commitment toward advancing global dialogue, research collaboration, and sustainable occupational safety and health initiatives. Dr. Rafee is also associated with the Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia (Malaysia). IRIOSH also sincerely appreciates the dedicated contributions of Dr. Halim, Director-DOSH (Malaysia) as the program manager and Ms. Nur Nazirah Mohd Nazri (Malaysia) in assissting the forum organizing committee and coordination efforts as live-tech-support. IRIOSH also sincerely appreciates Ms. Brandy East for serving as Master of Ceremonies (MC) during this global forum and for supporting the professional coordination and facilitation of the IRIOSH Global OSH Forum 2026 program.

IRIOSH further recognizes the encouragement and professional leadership demonstrated by Mr. Bryan Lloyd, Executive Director of Occupational Health and Safety with the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, Government of Saskatchewan, whose longstanding contributions to occupational safety and health helped inspire the broader vision and development of IRIOSH as a Canadian not-for-profit initiative serving global communities.

IRIOSH also extends sincere appreciation to all featured speakers, presenters, invited observers, researchers, public sector leaders, academic contributors, and professional collaborators from multiple international regions who voluntarily shared their expertise, research, and lived experiences throughout the forum. This includes participation and observer engagement from organizations and professional communities such as NIOSH, MSOSH, KOSHA, DOSH-Philippines, MOSHPA, APOSHO, and other international stakeholders. Their contributions advanced meaningful international dialogue on psychosocial well-being, occupational safety and health, sustainability, research collaboration, and the future of healthier workplaces and communities worldwide.

The success of the forum reflects a collective effort grounded in volunteerism, international collaboration, shared knowledge, and a common commitment toward positive global impact and sustainable futures.

IRIOSH remains committed to fostering international collaboration, evidence-informed research, and sustainable occupational safety and health initiatives that contribute to healthier workplaces and communities worldwide.