In The Spotlight
When discussing risk management and workplace safety, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is often regarded as the last line of defence. This traditional approach, doesn’t account for the most basic protective measures, especially those involving mechanical or kinetic energy.
The role of reflex actions in preventing incidents is a critical factor which is often overlooked. Understanding and leveraging the benefits of reflexes offers a powerful opportunity to prevent serious injuries and fatalities in the workplace.
The traditional model of safety management follows the hierarchy of controls, which places PPE as the last line of defence, a final measure after other controls have failed. However, in certain cases, PPE functions as an escalation control, protecting workers after an incident has already begun. Seat belts, fall arrest harness and similar gear do not prevent accidents but aim to reduce the severity of injuries once an error has occurred. While PPE plays an important role, reflex actions serve as the true last line of defence and the first line of protection in many scenarios.
The Bowtie Model helps illustrate this by mapping sources of hazardous energy—whether mechanical, chemical, thermal, electrical, or biological—and categorising controls into prevention and mitigation. In most cases (over 90%), mechanical or kinetic energy is the source of serious workplace injuries and fatalities, and as a result reflexes or whether the person will get the benefit of their reflexes becomes a critical factor in terms of the potential severity of the outcome. Outside the controlled work environment, where situations are more unpredictable, reflex actions often determine the difference between a close call or near-miss and a fatality. For instance, a reflexive movement could help a pedestrian avoid being hit by an oncoming vehicle.
Traditional safety practices tend to focus on high-risk activities through rules, procedures, and PPE. However, the majority of serious incidents occur during medium or low-risk tasks. Data from over 400 fatal workplace incident reports shows that 47-71% of these fatalities could have been avoided or lessened had the workers benefited from reflexive responses.
The data also reveals that in over 95% of incidents, the unexpected event that caused the injury stems from the individual themselves. Whether it’s due to rushing, fatigue, frustration, or complacency, human factors play a critical role in workplace safety. Reflexes are key to mitigating incidents in these medium to lower-risk scenarios, where more traditional controls may not be as effective.
The role of reflexes in preventing serious injuries
Reflexes are innate to humans and tested at birth to ensure they function properly. However, whether someone gets the benefit of their reflexes is influenced by human factors such as rushing, frustration, fatigue and complacency, which can cause eyes not on task and mind not on task. If a person’s mind is not on task due to complacency, their reflexes can still help prevent accidents, even if the reflex is a bit slower. But if their eyes are also off task, then they might not get a reflex at all, which can significantly increase the risk of a serious injury or fatality.
External factors like technology can exacerbate the issue. Mobile phones and fast-paced environments condition our brains to experience shorter bursts of focus, leaving us vulnerable to distractions.
This highlights the importance of critical error reduction techniques, such as self-triggering on states like rushing, frustration and fatigue, as individuals can feel and identify these states in the moment and then quickly think about keeping their eyes and mind on task. Complacency, on the other hand, is more passive and harder to detect.
One way to counteract complacency is to build strong safety-related habits, such as maintaining visual awareness before moving hands, feet, body or machinery. These habits ensure that employees will still get the benefit of their reflexes even if their minds are not on task, because they will still be looking at what they are doing.
At an organisational level, addressing human factors is crucial for reducing incident rates. Employers can help by ensuring workers have adequate rest, hydration, and a work environment that minimises unnecessary stress. When examining the Bowtie Model, it becomes clear that human factors like rushing, frustration, fatigue, and complacency need to be considered along with the various forms of hazardous energy as these factors lead to critical errors such as "eyes not on task" and "mind not on task," which can severely impact reflexive responses. By understanding and implementing critical error reduction techniques, organisations and individuals can add an extra layer of protection, leveraging reflexes as both a preventative and mitigation tool in workplace safety.
In conclusion, the role of human factors and reflexes and their significance as the real last line of defence and first line of protection has been largely overlooked in workplace safety. Organisations that focus on enhancing cognitive effectiveness and reflexive responses have a much better chance of preventing serious incidents or reducing their consequences.
To explore the full insights from Larry Wilson and Dr Waddah S Al Hashmi on workplace safety and reflexes, read the complete article at https://ae.safestart.com/article/the-hierarchy-of-controls-and-the-bowtie-model/
At a recent seminar on climate-resilient solutions, Dr. Jacinta Dsilva, research director at SEE Institute, emphasised the importance of health and safety in building sustainable urban environments.
As communities face mounting environmental challenges, particularly in the UAE and the wider Middle East, urban planning must prioritise both physical and mental well-being to ensure resilience against climate threats.
Dr. Dsilva explained the pressing need to integrate health and wellness into urban design, stating, “Sustainable urban planning enhances both physical and mental well-being.” She pointed out that walkable spaces, green areas, and cyclable routes not only make cities more livable but also improve the overall health of residents by reducing stress and promoting physical activity. In today's fast-paced, tech-dominated world, these spaces foster vital social connections, which are crucial for mental health.
Reducing environmental risks
She also touched on the role of community engagement in promoting health and safety. “Social connectivity…really creates a lot of social well-being,” Dr. Dsilva noted, explaining that bringing people together through community events and shared spaces can reduce isolation, a growing issue in modern urban life. In a world where social media often replaces face-to-face interaction, urban planners must design spaces that encourage real human connections.
Addressing the environmental risks that directly impact community safety, Dr. Dsilva spoke about the importance of mitigating climate-related threats like flooding and extreme heat. Nature-based solutions such as wetlands can reduce flood risks by “up to 40%,” while initiatives like cool roofs and urban forests can lower urban temperatures by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius. These strategies not only make cities more resilient to climate change but also safeguard the health of vulnerable populations, particularly in extreme weather conditions.
Dr. Dsilva also emphasised the importance of waste management in ensuring a safe and healthy urban environment. She pointed out that “waste segregation and recycling programmes” can drastically reduce the waste sent to landfills, helping to prevent pollution and improve public health. By embracing circular economy principles, communities can reduce the environmental hazards that endanger both human and environmental health.
In closing, Dr. Dsilva urged urban planners and communities to take proactive steps in creating resilient, healthy spaces. “We need to focus on sustainable urban design,” she said, “and ensure that health and wellness are at the core of these efforts.” Her call to action was clear: as climate challenges intensify, prioritising health and safety is essential to building thriving, resilient communities.
Paul Burns, who heads corporate HSSE training at ACWA Power, pens a piece for Health, Safety and Environment Review Middle East. Read on:
There is a dual impact of HSE on people and businesses. At last year’s MENA HSE Forum, I emphasised the critical importance of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) practices in benefiting both individuals and businesses. Embedding comprehensive HSE strategies into an organisation's fabric is essential for transforming approaches to health and safety and enhancing business performance.
Robust HSE policies create a secure work environment for individuals, minimising risks and boosting well-being, job satisfaction, and productivity. Organisations also benefit from fewer disruptions, lower incident-related costs, reduced absenteeism, and enhanced reputation.
It is important to enhance organisational culture and compliance through safety knowledge. At ACWA Power, 2023 marked a significant shift in HSE strategy, transitioning from traditional injury metrics to an accountability-driven approach. This realignment, focusing on people-based safety and proactive management, has been fundamental in embedding an advanced culture of safety and responsibility.
Safety training also empowers our workforce to identify potential hazards and take proactive measures – supporting regulatory alignment and promoting adherence to safety standards. At ACWA Power, a well-informed workforce is a crucial part of our organisational culture, instilling responsibility and collective awareness and making each member feel valued and integral to the process.
The role of the Internet of Things (IoT) and automation in HSE
These values of responsibility and inclusion are now significantly enriched by the Internet of Things (IoT) and automation. These technologies are revolutionising HSE operations by enhancing data collection, analysis, and response capabilities. Digital devices enable real-time monitoring of environmental conditions and employee health, facilitating initiative-taking risk management.
Furthermore, automation technologies streamline safety processes, improve incident reporting accuracy, and minimise human error. ACWA Power's adoption of digital tools, including AI for data analysis, has set a new standard in data-driven safety management. Additionally, Third-Eye AI at key ACWA Power sites has enhanced real-time hazard identification and intervention capabilities and provided greater reassurance and security while showcasing the potential of technology in improving safety.
Despite our progress, the MENA region faces significant HSE challenges, including diverse regulatory frameworks across countries and the need for improved safety awareness and training across industries. Addressing these challenges requires collaboration between government bodies, organisations, industry groups, and thought leaders. As a leader in the field, we are proud to partner with external bodies to share our expertise as thought leaders in HSE.
ACWA Power’s outlook and the future of HSE
Our ability to lead by example was borne out in hard evidence in 2023 – with the company accumulating 72 million man-hours and reducing the lost-time injury rate to 0.01. This is 22% lower than in 2022, with no fatalities. This progress enabled crucial project milestones and implementation of the Reliability of Supply framework, boosting consolidated power availability from 87% to almost 92%.
Looking ahead, HSE will evolve as an operational imperative through the integration of disruptive technologies. Sustainability and resilience will become central to HSE strategies, with organisations adopting holistic approaches that integrate environmental stewardship with traditional safety measures.
The MENA HSE Forum provided a valuable platform for sharing insights, exploring developments in HSE practices, and networking with industry leaders. As a sponsor and speaker, ACWA Power demonstrated its commitment to advancing HSE practices across the region.
The MENA HSE Forum serves as a crucial platform for tackling HSE challenges and unlocking new opportunities. Through ongoing collaboration, investment in technology, and a focus on safety culture, we can drive meaningful progress and ensure a safer, more resilient future for all.
The third session at HSE Oman Forum 2021 on 'E-HSE Next Revolution in Oman' engaged our audience with insights on Petroleum Development Oman's IHTIMAM system. Port of Salalah highlighted the use of digitized capture to enhance HSE systems and Esteshraf Foresight talked about the importance of setting realistic compliance targets.
PDO's Nadiya al-Harthy and Arabian Industries Projects' Porchelvan Nadanam discussed the implications of environmental regulations on projects and contractors, as well as the pressing need for tighter competency management
HSE Oman Forum's session on 'Risk Overview' hosted panellists from Oman Drydock Company (ODC), Oman Electricity Transmission Company and Petroleum Development Oman who discussed safety challenges, initiatives to ensure skilled human resources for lifting operations and the 12 Golden Rules (life saving) of ODC.
HSE Oman Forum's first session featured Yokogawa RAP Ltd's excellent insights on digital control of work presented by Mark Breese followed by an engaging panel discussing integration of HSE with business continuity, effective modes of communicating in training and PDO's best practices to achieve highest process safety standards.
The 6th edition of the HSE UAE Forum held on 6-7 April 2021 at Habtoor Grand Resort, Dubai was the first live HSE event in the region after the pandemic lockdown and it concluded to a great response.
We welcomed attendees over two days providing access to thought-provoking presentations, case studies and interactive panel discussions. It was the ideal live opportunity for knowledge sharing and networking at this strategic forum.
The forum served as a platform to realize the UAE’s efforts to prioritize workforce safety, sustainability and best practices post COVID-19 where attendees gained access to information on safety practices, latest technologies and solutions to optimise HSE function in the country.
Larry Wilson, author and CEO, SafeStart, looks at how neuroscience aligns with critical error reduction techniques
As we continue our series on Paradigm Shifts in safety (if you haven’t yet, catch up at https://ae.safestart.com/paradigm-shifts/), we encourage you to dive into the seventh article of the twelve-part series.
In the last issue, we discussed the concept of self-triggering; the importance of learning how to self-trigger quickly, or at least quickly enough to prevent making a critical error, which means that we must train the sub-conscious mind. Now, to a certain extent, we have already discussed the importance of involving or using the sub-conscious mind to prevent injuries when we talked about developing good habits with eyes on task, so that if or when your mind goes off task, you’ll still, most likely, get the benefit of your reflexes.
Habits and reflexes are not things we are deciding to do in the moment with our conscious mind. They are both sub-conscious. All this is where the neuroscience comes in. Until recently (last 10 years or so) scientists and psychologists could speculate as to what part of the brain was being used. But it wasn’t until FMRI’s that they could prove it. And I think that it’s interesting how the neuroscience and the Critical Error Reduction Techniques (CERTs) are aligned or how the neuroscience supports or validates the CERTs. But my dad, who is an engineer, was unimpressed. When I explained it to him, he said that it was one of the best examples of, “Locking the door after the horse has got out” he’d ever heard.
So, he’s got a point. But it’s still pretty interesting. And it is science which always helps when dealing with sceptics. So, we’re going to get into at least a bit of it as we go through all four CERTs. Two of which we have discussed already: work on habits, or work on improving your safety-related habits and self-triggering on the states (rushing, frustration, fatigue) so you don’t make a critical error. And obviously, this has to happen quickly.
Even if it’s only a split-second too late, it’s still too late. And to get close to reflex speed, we need to use the sub-conscious mind. The conscious mind just isn’t quick enough. Ironically, training the sub-conscious mind—isn’t quick—and when you think about learning arithmetic, it wasn’t always exciting either. To give you an example of speed, repetition, and the power of the sub-conscious mind, just answer the following question as quickly as you can: What is 3 x 4? You probably already have the answer in your head before you read it here. It’s 12. That’s how quick your sub-conscious mind is. But how many repetitions did it take to get that quick—so you didn’t have to process anything? And very reliable: almost impossible to get it wrong… now try quickly 13 x 14.
To find out the answer to the last question (without checking your calculator) and explore how the neuroscience behind Critical Error Reduction Techniques aligns with safety practices, continue reading the full article clicking here. Stay with us as we delve deeper into the power of the subconscious mind and its role in preventing critical errors.
Scan the QR Code below to read the article in its entirety:
CS Combustion Solutions recently enhanced the capacity and efficiency of a sulfuric acid production plant located in Africa’s Copperbelt region, where demand for sulfuric acid is crucial in mining applications such as leaching copper and cobalt
Faced with growing demand, the plant needed to increase production while reducing operational costs and improving reliability. Through targeted improvements, CS increased daily production from 2,200 to 3,000 tons and optimised the plant’s overall performance.
Challenges before optimisation
Prior to the upgrade, the plant faced several challenges, including incomplete combustion, which led to sulfur droplets fouling downstream equipment like the waste heat boiler (WHB) and catalyst beds, increasing system pressure and requiring frequent shutdowns for maintenance. Clogging issues with conventional pressure atomisers resulted in frequent, costly nozzle replacements, while poor droplet atomisation caused hotspots in the refractory lining, increasing wear and reducing reliability.
Key measures implemented
CS Combustion Solutions tackled these issues with the following measures:
1. Ultrasonic atomisation: Replacing pressure atomisers with ultrasonic nozzles reduced droplet size from 400 to 110 µm, which minimised fouling, improved combustion, and protected the refractory lining from localised heat.
2. Swirl bodies: Introducing swirl bodies created rotational motion in the combustion air, enhancing flame formation and leading to more efficient sulfur combustion.
3. VectorWall installation: Replacing the plant’s original baffle walls with a VectorWall improved mixing within the combustion chamber, reduced hotspots, and prevented unreacted sulfur carryover to downstream components.
4. CFD analysis: A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) study simulated and optimized the modifications prior to implementation, ensuring targeted performance improvements.
Results and benefits
With these enhancements, the plant boosted production capacity by 30%, enabling 40 tons of sulfur incineration per hour. The new configuration allows maintenance of sulfur guns without stopping operations, reducing downtime and saving US$160,000 annually by decreasing pressure drop. Additionally, precise ultrasonic atomisation prevented sulfur buildup on the refractory, extending its lifespan.
This case study highlights the importance of innovative combustion technologies and detailed pre-implementation analysis, offering valuable insights for facilities facing similar challenges in optimising sulfuric acid production.
uvex has announced the launch of new safety eyewear and safety gloves, which it will be showcasing at the Health and Safety Event in Birmingham, UK from 30 April-2 May
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) conducted 61 training courses and awareness sessions on occupational health and safety in the first half of 2024.
These sessions saw the participation of 2,110 employees from various departments. This initiative is part of DEWA's ongoing efforts to enhance its employees' knowledge and skills in occupational health and safety.
Trainings throughout the year
“We are dedicated to effectively implementing quality, health, safety, and environmental management systems according to the highest international standards. We strive to cultivate a culture of occupational safety and health among all employees, enabling them to keep pace with the latest developments in this field. This is part of our responsibility towards our employees, customers, and the employees of suppliers and contractors who work on DEWA’s projects. Additionally, we are committed to providing our services according to the highest standards of quality, efficiency, availability, and reliability,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, CEO of DEWA.
“We offer the best training and awareness programmes to enhance the safe work environment and raise health and safety standards across all DEWA’s projects and operations. This contributes to achieving employees’ happiness and enhances productivity and quality,” said Dr. Yousef Al Akraf, executive vice president of business support and human resources at DEWA.
In addition to the training courses, DEWA organises many events and awareness activities throughout the year. These include Public Health and Safety Week, Internal Health and Safety Week, Contractor Health and Safety Awareness Day, and other activities and events aimed at improving the health and safety systems of human resources. Employees who complete the training provided by DEWA staff are awarded certificates in occupational health and safety.