In The Spotlight
International SOS has advised UAE companies to prioritise workforce safety as global heat waves are predicted to intensify.
Workers face significant dangers in extreme heat conditions, such as heatstroke, dehydration, and heat exhaustion. These risks can reduce productivity, increase accidents, and result in fatalities. Each year, excessive heat contributes to 22.85 million occupational injuries and 18,970 work-related deaths.
In the UAE, heat stress is a persistent issue for outdoor workers, especially during summer when temperatures can soar up to 50°C. To address this, the Ministry of Labour has enforced a nationwide ban on outdoor work from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM during summer months.
The Ministry also requires employers to clearly display working hours and provide rest areas with drinking water, first aid kits, and sun protection measures. In 2023, nearly 95.5% of employers complied with this ban, thanks to stringent inspections.
Various sectors are affected by extreme weather, with certain jobs being at higher risk due to physical demands and outdoor conditions. Indoor industrial workers are also vulnerable if factory and workshop temperatures are not properly regulated.
Warmer temperatures expected
High heat levels can make even basic office tasks challenging, leading to mental fatigue and reduced cognitive abilities. Excessive heat exposure poses serious health risks, including heatstroke and potentially death. Organisations must take proactive measures to mitigate these risks and ensure the well-being and productivity of their workforce.
Dr Ehab Chalabie, medical director, medical services, Middle East, International SOS, said, “...Organisations must go beyond basic heat stress prevention and integrate heat stress risk assessments into their health and safety policies. Furthermore, training employees to recognise early signs of heat illness is critical. Early intervention can prevent a medical emergency and long-term health consequences. By fostering a culture of heat awareness and encouraging frequent hydration and breaks during peak temperatures, organisations can empower their workforce to stay healthy and safe.
“It is also important for organisations to be able to distinguish the different stages of heat-related illness. Heatstroke, the most severe heat illness, is a medical emergency and can cause long term impact if prompt medical attention is not given. Symptoms include a core body temperature exceeding 40°C, nausea and/or vomiting, confusion and seizures. Recognising the early signs of heat stress, such as sweating, dizziness, headache and cramps, allows swift intervention to prevent escalation to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.”
International SOS has provided guidelines for organisations to mitigate health risks from extreme heat events. These include conducting regular heat-specific risk assessments to identify high-risk areas and vulnerable employees. Organisations should integrate heat safety into their health and safety policies by providing shaded areas, hydration stations, and appropriate workwear. Training employees on heat stress awareness, proper hydration, sun protection, and recognising symptoms is crucial. Developing and communicating robust response protocols for heat-related illnesses is also recommended.
Additionally, organisations should continuously review and update their heat response plans to ensure they reflect the latest best practices. These measures aim to protect the workforce from the dangers of extreme heat, maintaining productivity and ensuring employee well-being.
Larry Wilson, author and CEO, SafeStart, explains the contributing factors to critical errors. Read on:
Welcome back to the Paradigm Shifts series! In the last article we looked at serious injuries, the contributing factors and just how often mind not on task and eyes not on task were involved, or at least how often they were both involved in the serious injuries that have happened to us (almost every one). And if it’s of any comfort, the same questions have been asked to over a million people in 66 countries, so you’re not alone. The same two critical errors that contributed to your serious injuries also contributed to theirs (and mine).
In this article, like in the first four of this series, you will find a couple of new ideas or paradigm shifts that are somewhat counter-intuitive or almost the opposite of what most people think, that we will explore in more depth. We will also look at some practical, extremely cost effective (free) ways to reduce serious injuries 50% or more. But for now, let’s go back to the last article and the importance of those first two critical errors, eyes and mind not on task.
What we found was that for almost all of us, if we exclude sports, eyes not on task and mind not on task were involved in a very high percentage of our serious injuries, whether they were at work, at home, in the community or on the road. But it doesn’t seem quite right (almost misleading) to say that these two critical errors were just “involved”, because we are never trying to get seriously hurt anywhere or anytime! It’s more like these two errors had to happen or that they have to happen at the same time. Otherwise, if we see it coming, we will almost always get the benefit of our reflexes—which, in most cases, will be enough to prevent a direct hit, blind fall or a head-on collision.
This is not to say that these two critical errors by themselves cause all the serious injuries and fatalities. There are always at least two (or more) contributing factors. But quite often those other factors like the type of hazardous energy: electrical, mechanical, thermal and amount or kind of protection vary considerably as you go from burn to fall to motor vehicle accident. Whereas the first two critical errors, eyes and mind not on task—happening at the same time—are involved in almost every one. And since mind not on task is bound to happen if you know how to do something well, there is much more “leverage” or efficiency in getting people to put some additional effort or more effort than they are currently making (none) into improving their safety-related habits: like moving their eyes first, before they move, looking for line-of-fire potential before moving, looking for things that would cause them to lose their balance, traction or grip, etc.
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) has received the esteemed Silver Award from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), a British charity focused on saving lives and preventing life-altering injuries from accidents. This international accolade underscores RAKEZ's dedication to upholding and improving safety standards across its operations.
RoSPA's awards programme honours organisations worldwide that lead in promoting and maintaining top occupational health and safety standards.
HSE a priority
RAKEZ prioritises the health and safety of all individuals within its jurisdiction through various initiatives and standards. The economic zone has implemented comprehensive Health, Safety, and Environment (HS&E) regulations for all businesses operating under its authority. These regulations encompass occupational safety for industrial operations and health and safety protocols for construction processes, ensuring a secure working environment.
To aid businesses in adhering to these regulations, RAKEZ offers detailed guides with practical advice and information, and organises regular awareness seminars and training programmes. These sessions, led by pre-qualified experts, cover a wide range of topics, from basic safety awareness to specialised training for high-risk roles. Additionally, RAKEZ conducts regular inspections and audits to ensure compliance with its HS&E standards, promptly addressing any potential issues.
RAKEZ's commitment to health and safety is further evidenced by initiatives like the RAKEZ HSE Appreciation Awards, which recognise businesses that demonstrate exceptional commitment to HS&E, motivating others to achieve similar standards. The recent Nujoom Al Salama programme also rates businesses based on their HS&E performance, assessing compliance with regulations, incident rates, and proactive safety measures.
RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad said, “We are thrilled to receive the RoSPA Silver Award for our proactive approach to health and safety management. We believe a safe workplace is not just a regulatory requirement but a fundamental right for every employee. This recognition reflects our continuous effort to create a secure and accident-free environment for all those who work within our jurisdiction.”
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
Manaseer Ready-Mix, a subsidiary of Manaseer Group and one of the leading companies in Jordan in sectors including energy and mobility, building materials, industrial minerals and natural fertilisers, has achieved the Social Security Excellence Award for Occupational Safety and Health for 2022/2023
This prestigious award, presented annually by the Social Security Corporation is awarded for the implementation of occupational safety and health policies along with their practices, with criteria including applying the best international practices in the field of occupational health and safety, providing specialised training programmes for workers, and spreading a culture of safety in the work environment.
The winners received their awards at a special awards ceremony organised by the Social Security Corporation, under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Labor.
Commitment to creating a safe and positive workplace
This award reflects Manaseer Ready-Mix’s commitment to creating a safe and positive workplace, sustaining its success, and maintaining its commitment in safety and health requirements according to the best international standards. This has resulted in reinforcing the culture of workplace safety in line with Manaseer’s social and economic role. Manaseer Ready-Mix is encouraged by the award to continuously apply the latest programmes and technologies to achieve occupational safety and health.
As the largest private company in Jordan, Manseer Group provides employment opportunities for Jordanians and residents while delivering high-quality products across various industries. It contributes to creating a dynamic environment for innovation and sustainability, as well as playing a significant role in social responsibility through numerous community initiatives and environmentally friendly practices. Manaseer Industrial Complex - Chemical Factory received the Green Factory Award from Jordan Chamber of Industry for the 2022-2023 cycle. The Group has also been listed in Forbes "Top 100 Arab Family Companies" 2023 for the second consecutive year, as well as receiving the Arab Quality Award in 2023, making it the first Jordanian company to receive this certificate in recognition of its outstanding performance.
The 2024 edition of The Future of Maritime Safety Report from Inmarsat Maritime calls for the maritime industry to embrace data sharing and collaborative problem-solving as the industry navigates significant changes, such as the transition to greener propulsion technologies
The report recommends that the shipping industry establishes a list of standard data points to monitor and report, including casualties and incidents, injuries or deaths at sea, and near misses. It also endorses trend analysis to support the development of safety measures, with a particular emphasis on developing risk treatments for well-known and recurring issues.
The report reveals that Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) distress calls decreased by 7.6% in 2023 over the previous year. Despite this decline, the service was still triggered on 788 occasions, underlining the ongoing challenges in maritime safety and the need for improvements. It highlights the emergence of potential new safety risks associated with future fuels, and escalating geopolitical tensions.
Identifying trends
Peter Broadhurst, senior vice president, Safety and Regulatory, Inmarsat Maritime, said, “By harnessing the power of anonymised safety data, we can identify trends, develop specific mitigation measures, and enhance the overall safety of our ships and crews."
He noted that modern technology offers unprecedented opportunities to improve safety through better data analysis and sharing.
“We collect vast amounts of safety data, yet the current siloed-working model hinders our ability to fully leverage the actionable insights available to us. By pooling data, we can create a more holistic and objective view of maritime safety to inform performance improvements and ultimately reduce the occurrence of preventable safety incidents to save lives at sea.”
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
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and NEBOSH launched a new one-day qualification aimed at managing and controlling stress in the workplace.
Figures from the HSE indicate that stress, depression, or anxiety were the primary causes of work-related ill health in 2021/22, accounting for 17 million lost working days. Work-related stress can be triggered by six main factors: demands, control, support, relationships, role, and change.
Employers have a legal duty to safeguard employees from stress at work by conducting risk assessments and implementing necessary measures. The new NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Managing Stress at Work equips managers with the knowledge to identify and mitigate workplace stressors proactively.
HSE’s Working Minds Campaign
Throughout April, the HSE has been advocating for employers to adopt five straightforward steps to prevent and reduce workplace stress. These steps, encapsulated in the 5 Rs, are: reaching out and having conversations with employees to discuss their stressors and concerns, recognising the signs and causes of stress in the workplace, responding to any risks identified by taking action to address and mitigate them, reflecting on the effectiveness of the measures implemented, and making stress management a routine part of regular workplace practices.
The course is based on the HSE's current methodology for managing and controlling work-related stress. It provides an overview of the fundamental principles of work-related stress and its link to mental health issues. The course targets individuals responsible for employee wellbeing or managing workplace stress, including health and safety professionals, HR professionals, occupational health professionals, line managers, and supervisors.
By offering this qualification, HSE and NEBOSH aim to empower organisations to foster healthier work environments and reduce the prevalence of stress-related illnesses, ensuring better mental health and productivity for employees.