News publications from across the USA have reported impending closures of occupational health and safety agencies in the county, in wake of the Trump administration's decisions to cut government spending. This could be disastrous for American workers, who may now have little recourse against workplace violations. 

Louisiana workers may be more affected than others. The state is already known as one of the most dangerous places in America, from an occupational health and safety standpoint. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Louisiana is ranked the sixth most dangerous state for workers in the U.S. This is thanks to the more than 200 chemical facilities and refineries which line an 85-mile stretch of the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to the state's capital New Orleans. It has been repeatedly called "Cancer Alley", due to the high cancer rates associated with petrochemicals.

US-based publication Capital & Main has recorded a few instances. In recent years, the news publication said, there have been several chemical plant exposures or explosions in the state. In December, a suspected explosion occurred at a Westlake Corp. chemical plant near the Nutrien plant. Four workers were hospitalised in October after being exposed to ammonia at a Formosa Plastics plant.

Two individuals were injured in September when a hydrogen gas explosion occurred at the neighbouring Chevron Renewable Energy Group factory. Last month, Mathew Roberts was working at a chemical facility on the outskirts of Baton Rouge when he was involved in a forklift accident. The father of two, who was unresponsive and in severe condition, was transported from the Nutrien nitrogen facility to a local hospital and died of his injuries.

Spending cuts

His death came weeks after the Elon Musk-run Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced the closure of 11 OSHA field offices. This includes one in Baton Rouge that is investigating Robert's death. It is the agency's only office in Louisiana, and its impending closure is causing anxiety among workplace safety professionals. The closures are still "under review," according to the US Department of Labor, which oversees OSHA.

In addition to the Baton Rouge office, which conducted 386 workplace inspections last year and imposed over $750,000 in penalties for major infractions, DOGE intends to eliminate field offices in Houston and Mobile, Alabama. 

“Those enormous oil and petrochemical facilities with significant safety and health hazards will be inspected even less frequently than they are now,” former OSHA Director David Michaels told Capital & Main. “These closures will result in more injuries, illnesses and deaths,” Michaels added.

According to Michaels, OSHA employees in the office will have to choose between quitting the agency entirely or relocating to another region hundreds of miles away. Staff at the Baton Rouge office claimed they were not aware of any layoffs, despite rumours that have circulated since the DOGE announcement in mid-March.

In a significant move to address evolving workplace health challenges, Luxembourg’s health minister, Martine Deprez, has pledged to reactivate the High Commission for Occupational Diseases. 

The decision, announced following a pivotal meeting on 2 April, marks a turning point in the nation’s approach to occupational health, particularly as it grapples with the emerging risks posed by climate change. 

The push to revive the commission stems from a January 2025 motion tabled by déi Lénk deputies David Wagner and Marc Baum. 

Their proposal called for a reassessment of occupational health policies to include diseases linked to climate-related factors, a growing concern as rising temperatures, extreme weather, and shifting environmental conditions begin to impact workplaces across the Grand Duchy. 

The motion gained traction, culminating in this week’s commitment from Minister Deprez to breathe new life into the commission.

The High Commission, established under Luxembourg’s robust labor framework, is tasked with identifying and cataloging diseases directly attributable to workplace conditions. 

Updating disease list

Historically, its work has ensured that workers afflicted by occupational illnesses, ranging from respiratory conditions caused by industrial exposure to musculoskeletal disorders tied to repetitive tasks, receive recognition and support. 

However, as medical knowledge advances and new risks emerge, the need for an updated list has become undeniable. 

Deprez emphasised that the commission’s revival would align Luxembourg’s policies with the latest scientific insights, particularly those highlighting the intersection of climate change and occupational health.

Opposition voices have largely welcomed the move. Djuna Bernard, a deputy from déi Gréng, described it as “a positive and necessary step” in safeguarding workers’ well-being. 

Outdoor workers, in particular, are increasingly exposed to extreme heat and UV radiation, while indoor environments contend with poor air quality linked to wildfires and pollution.

The reactivation of the commission signals Luxembourg’s proactive stance in a world where occupational health is no longer confined to traditional hazards. 

Experts anticipate that the updated list could include conditions such as heatstroke, exacerbated respiratory illnesses, and psychological stress tied to climate-induced disruptions—issues that have gained prominence in medical literature over the past decade. 

The commission’s work will also likely draw on international models, with countries like France and Germany already adapting their own occupational disease frameworks to account for environmental factors.

For now, the timeline for the commission’s first meeting remains unclear, though Deprez has promised swift action. 

According to Luxembourg Times, left-wing lawmakers cited that “Studies conducted in France showing that people who frequently work in conditions of thermal stress (at least six hours per day, five days per week, for two months of the year) are more likely to suffer from kidney diseases or acute kidney injuries.” 

In a Q&A with Health, Safety and Environment Review, Ali Abdulla Al Ali, UAE country chair at Petrofac, talks about workplace safety in the UAE and the importance of instilling safety principles from the get-go. Read on:

Can you tell us more about your approach to promoting employee safety and wellbeing and how it has evolved over time?

Safety has been at the heart of my career since the late 1980s, thanks to some incredible mentors like John McFarth. Back in 1980, when I was at Amoco, John drilled three key principles into me: thorough risk assessment, careful planning, and strong supervision. These became my foundation in health and safety, and more recently employee wellbeing.

I’ve built on these values by focusing on the power of training and engagement. Throughout my career at Petrofac in particular, workshopping - for both our teams and clients – has helped make sure safety isn’t a mere checklist, but rather a mindset that is lived every day. I’m also a firm believer in taking time to recognise and reward good safety behaviours. Even small things, like handing out certificates for internal training, can make a big difference.

Over the years I’ve expanded my approach beyond traditional safety measures to include overall wellbeing. One such initiative that I’m involved with is our ‘Know Your Numbers’ campaign, where thousands of our people have taken advantage of free screenings to monitor key health indicators such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and BMI. I am also a certified mental health first aid provider and have led multiple awareness sessions to reduce stigma and encourage open conversations about mental health.

Beyond that, we ensure colleagues are physically prepared for their roles through our ‘Fitness to Work’ programme, which includes health assessments, surveillance for high-risk roles, and return-to-work support for employees recovering from illness or injury.

How do you see your role as an Emirati leader who connects with the subcontinent workforce? What value does this connection bring to your projects and teams?

One of the things I enjoy most about my role is the diversity of our workforce. We employ more than 70 nationalities in total. But a great number of our people come from the Indian subcontinent, and when they realise I can speak Hindi or Urdu, it immediately breaks down barriers, builds trust, makes conversations easier.

When people feel heard and understood, they’re more likely to speak up, whether it’s about a concern or an idea for improvement. That kind of openness is crucial in our industry. And on a bigger scale, as an Emirati leader, I see it as my responsibility to foster inclusion and lead by example.

What do you consider to be the biggest health and safety risks in your industry, and what proactive steps are you taking to mitigate them?

Our role is to design and build big energy infrastructure plants. Its inherently dangerous work, but to give you a specific example, one of the biggest risks we face is during the commissioning and startup phase, especially when introducing hydrocarbons into a facility. This is a critical moment, if something goes wrong, it can have serious consequences.

That’s why we take a comprehensive approach to safety, from detailed start up reviews, regular drills to awareness workshops. Everyone on site needs to know the protocols inside out. We also place a huge emphasis on supervision and attention to detail.

Learning from the past is just as important. We record every incident, no matter how small, because that data helps us improve. We have an app where our people can log HSEQ observations and we look for trends in observations and make interventions before incidents occur. We also survey our staff to give us feedback on our processes, and we hold lots of open forums like town halls to keep communication regular, open and two-way.

What advice would you give to other HSE leaders looking to implement a more inclusive and multilingual approach to health and safety?

Instead of translating HSE materials as an afterthought, we design them from the start with different audiences in mind. That means using clear visuals, straightforward translatable language, and real-world examples that make sense to the people reading them. When safety feels relatable, people engage with it more.

It’s also important to create an environment where everyone, regardless of their background or language, feels empowered to contribute to the overall culture of safety in an organisation.

How do you measure the success and effectiveness of your safety initiatives at Petrofac?

We believe in keeping things simple. Going back to basics is key to safe and reliable operations so we track our progress through hard data and real feedback.

Some of the key factors we look at include lost time injuries (LTIs), safety observations, audits, permits issued, kilometres travelled, and total man-hours worked. Beyond the numbers, we listen to our people. If employees feel safer, more engaged, and more empowered to take ownership of safety, that’s when we know we’re making an impact.

Radars are playing an increasingly pivotal role in advancing autonomous driving technology, with front and side radars forming essential components of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

According to IDTechEx’s latest report, "Automotive Radar Market 2025-2045: Robotaxis & Autonomous Cars," innovations in radar technology are pushing autonomy to new levels, particularly with the growing adoption of Level 2+ systems in the US and Europe.

Front radars are fundamental for object detection, supporting key ADAS functions such as adaptive cruise control (ACC) and automatic emergency braking (AEB). The push to enhance front radar capabilities is driving innovation in the sector, with angular resolution and range emerging as top priorities. These improvements are expected to significantly refine vehicle automation and safety features, taking precedence over factors like field of view and compactness.

Side radars: improving blind spot detection

Side radars are primarily utilised for blind spot detection (BSD), with lane change assist (LCA) serving as an advanced extension of this technology. LCA helps vehicles assess approaching traffic before executing lane changes, enhancing overall safety. Cross-traffic alert (CTA) is another crucial function, particularly useful when reversing out of parking spaces. Additionally, junction pedestrian AEB combines input from front and side radars to detect pedestrians at intersections before a vehicle completes a turn, demonstrating the collaborative potential of radar systems in improving road safety.

Unlike front radars, side radars require a wide field of view to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings effectively. Compact design is also a priority, allowing for seamless integration into vehicles without compromising aesthetics or functionality. However, long-range detection is less critical for side radars, with an effective range of up to 50 metres being sufficient for their primary tasks.

IDTechEx describes Level 2+ as a bridge between Level 2 and Level 3 autonomy, allowing drivers to operate vehicles hands-free while maintaining focus on the road. This level of automation has gained significant momentum, particularly in the US, where Tesla’s ‘Full Self-Driving’ and Ford’s ‘BlueCruise’ systems are already in operation.

Following its European debut in 2023, Ford’s BlueCruise now operates in 15 countries, according to IDTechEx. Meanwhile, Tesla is targeting 2025 for the launch of fully self-driving vehicles in China, a move expected to accelerate the adoption of Level 2+ systems worldwide. The requirement for driver supervision in Level 2+ systems may be a key factor in their rising popularity over Level 3, as they provide a blend of automation and security, easing liability concerns for manufacturers.

4D radars and the path to higher autonomy

The future of vehicle autonomy hinges on the development of 4D and imaging radars, which offer enhanced elevation and azimuth resolution. These advanced radars will be instrumental in refining vehicle perception, enabling more precise planning and adaptive responses. As a result, they are expected to play a crucial role in facilitating the transition to Level 3 and Level 4 autonomy, bringing fully autonomous vehicles closer to reality.

With radar technology continuing to evolve, its role in autonomous driving is set to expand, reinforcing safety and accelerating the transition towards self-driving vehicles on a global scale.

MSA Safety discusses the benefits of a layered defense incorporating both gas and flame detection for safety in industrial environments

In industrial settings, safety is paramount, especially in environments where flammable or toxic gases are present, such as the oil, gas and petrochemical industry.

A robust gas detection system is an important line of defense, but it is not the whole story. Integrating flame detection into your safety setup can create a safer and more reliable environment.

The role of gas and flame detection systems

Gas detection systems are designed to identify harmful gases in the air, whether combustible, toxic, or asphyxiating. They provide early warnings, helping to enable preventive action before conditions become dangerous. However, gas detection alone doesn’t account for what happens when a gas leak ignites.

Flame detection systems complement gas detectors by identifying the presence of fire, which may occur even where gas concentration hasn’t yet reached detectable levels. Together, these systems can contribute to a more comprehensive safety net that addresses both potential and actual hazards.

Why include flame detection in gas detection systems?

1. More comprehensive hazard mitigation

Gas detectors and flame detectors work hand-in-hand to prevent accidents and mitigate risks. While gas detectors alert you to the presence of a leak, flame detectors respond to fires that could result from undetected or ignited gases.

2. Faster response to fire emergencies

A gas leak can ignite in seconds, turning a potential hazard into an active emergency. Flame detectors react in real-time to the presence of a flame, helping to enable prompt action to contain the fire and prevent escalation.

3. Helps eliminate blind spots

Gas detection systems can only monitor specific zones. In scenarios where a leak occurs outside the detection range or a minor leak ignites directly, flame detectors can be an important second layer of protection.

4. Tailored for high-risk industries

In industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals and manufacturing, the risk of fire due to flammable gases is ever present. Flame detection helps protect these high-stakes environments against both minor and catastrophic ignition events.

5. Meeting regulatory standards

Safety regulations often require both gas and flame detection systems for compliance. Adhering to these standards not only protects your team and assets but also ensures your operations meet legal and industry benchmarks.

6. Minimising damage and downtime

Early flame detection can activate suppression systems, limit the spread of fire, and enhance the safety of personnel. By containing incidents quickly, businesses can avoid costly equipment damage and extended downtime.

7. Enhanced operational safety and continuity

Combining gas and flame detection creates a more resilient safety framework that reduces the likelihood of accidents and enables a quicker recovery in the event of an incident. This reliability is key to maintaining trust and productivity.

A layered defense

Safety in industrial environments is not about choosing between gas or flame detection — it’s about understanding the benefits of both to build a layered defense.

While gas detectors prevent potential hazards by identifying leaks, flame detectors act as a safeguard when ignition occurs.

Safety managers may consider this combination a necessity in today’s high risk, high stakes industries. By integrating flame detection into your gas detection system, you help to ensure that your operations are protected from the full spectrum of potential hazards, safeguarding lives, assets, and your reputation.

MSA Safety is a North American manufacturer and supplier of safety equipment used in a range of hazardous environments, including construction, military, fire service, and chemical, oil, and gas production. The company has provided its products to sites all across the region, and also partnered with OSHA to highlight workplace safety in Houston. 

The Gulf of America, historically known as the Gulf of Mexico, remains a crucial region for offshore energy production, with companies like bp leading the way in health, safety, and environmental (HSE) improvements.

In recent years, bp has taken significant steps to strengthen its safety culture, implement advanced technologies, and refine operational protocols to mitigate risks and enhance workplace safety.

bp’s approach to HSE in the Gulf of America is guided by its Operating Management System (OMS), which provides a consistent framework for managing health, safety, security, and environmental risks.

The OMS integrates bp’s safety leadership principles, the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers’ (IOGP) Life-Saving Rules, and process safety fundamentals. These elements collectively drive a strong safety culture, ensuring that best practices are embedded across BP’s operations.

To reinforce this culture, bp has prioritised psychological safety among its workforce. Employees in operations are encouraged to voice concerns and report potential hazards without fear of retaliation.

Training sessions have been expanded to help employees integrate safety principles into their daily routines, fostering a more open and proactive approach to risk management.

Life-saving rules and digital solutions

The IOGP Life-Saving Rules address high-risk activities that account for the majority of serious industry incidents.

Since their adoption, bp has measured their effectiveness, conducting site visits and safety audits to assess compliance.

In 2024, operational safety teams visited production sites in Azerbaijan, refining facilities in Spain, and terminals and pipelines in the US to ensure adherence to these critical safety measures.

Technology plays a pivotal role in bp’s HSE advancements. Digital solutions such as the IRIS system (for health, safety, security, and environment reporting) and the LENS platform (for learning and knowledge-sharing) have enhanced BP’s ability to standardise processes and collaborate across sites.

Additionally, the company has deployed Nova, an integrated management tool that helps monitor risk controls and enforce safety measures.

Despite bp’s efforts, the company faced challenges in 2024, reporting a fatality and several life-changing injuries across its global operations.

These incidents have reinforced the need for continuous improvement in safety protocols. To address these concerns, bp has focused on leveraging lessons learned to prevent future occurrences, including a renewed emphasis on safe manual handling procedures and emergency response preparedness.

Process safety remains a priority, with bp implementing stricter mechanical integrity frameworks in refining and production activities.

The company has also integrated IOGP’s Process Safety Fundamentals, ensuring that risk awareness and operational reliability are at the forefront of daily activities.

bp’s offshore operations in the Gulf of America benefit from enhanced monitoring and AI-driven solutions.

In drilling activities, bp uses advanced surveillance systems that allow experts in Houston and Sunbury to detect early warning signs of potential hazards, enabling timely intervention.

Additionally, bp’s US onshore subsidiary, bpx energy, has adopted AI-powered driving safety measures, significantly reducing driver distraction and tailgating incidents.

Saudi Arabia's building sector is expanding at an unprecedented rate, and the Kingdom plans to strengthen fire and life safety (FLS) standards by introducing new Saudi Building Code (SBC) and Saudi Fire Code (SFC) rules in mid-2025.

To prepare for these developments, AESG has reinforced its Fire & Life Safety section by hiring fire protection engineers, senior fire protection engineers, and principle fire protection engineers in Saudi Arabia.

This strategic expansion strengthens the firm's capabilities to assist complicated projects requiring extensive mechanical and electrical fire protection skills.

AESG is one of the few active Fire & Life Safety businesses in Saudi Arabia, and it is one of only two International Consultancy firms accredited by Civil Defence as an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) representative and reviewer, demonstrating the firm's profound commitment to Vision 2030.

2025 expansion plans

“Saudi Arabia’s rapid expansion of mega and giga projects has significantly increased the demand for specialized Fire & Life Safety expertise. These large-scale developments require meticulous and complex fire safety planning, both from a design and regulatory standpoint. The complexity of Saudi projects necessitates both robust local knowledge as well as international expertise to develop equivalencies and alternative solutions, allowing AESG to go beyond standard code compliance and deliver high-value, performance-based fire safety solutions,” said Saeed al Abbar, CEO at AESG.

In 2024, AESG was instrumental in improving fire and life safety rules and systems for some of Saudi Arabia's most famous constructions, including essential infrastructure, healthcare institutions, and luxury hotel projects. The business also engaged with developers on significant new projects, ensuring that cutting-edge fire safety technologies were included from the start. Collectively, AESG's initiatives have helped protect nearly SAR 30 billion in constructed assets in Saudi Arabia.

Looking ahead, AESG plans to develop its Fire & Life Safety branch in Saudi Arabia in 2025.

“We are strengthening our advisory services in policy, procedures, and governance, leveraging expertise gained from giga-projects. Additionally, we will introduce specialised solutions for industrial projects, further enhancing our service offerings in the Kingdom. Our goal is to grow our team by over 25% while continuing to elevate service quality, client experience, and governance advisory. With the upcoming Saudi Building Code (SBC-201) and Saudi Fire Code (SBC-801) changes, AESG remains committed to guiding clients through compliance with practical, high-impact Fire & Life Safety solutions—designed to be simple, effective, and achievable” said Abdullah Faza, director - fire and life safety, Middle East at AESG.

The company's expansion strategy involves the hiring of Samer Mehran as Senior FLS Consultant for its Egypt location. Mehran contributes over 15 years of industry experience, strong technical understanding, and leadership to AESG's continuous expansion in the Middle East.

Also read: ILO praises Saudi efforts to enhance worker safety