In The Spotlight
Dubai-based AG Engineering and Power and AG Metal Industries, have been awarded the prestigious Sword of Honour by the British Safety Council, underlining their efforts and commitment to ensuring the wellbeing and safety of their workforce
AG Engineering and Power and AG Metal Industries, part of Al Ghurair, one of the largest diversified family businesses in the Middle East, were among 71 successful applicants that have received the honour, following a stringent Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit conducted by an independent adjudication panel. It is the second year in a row that an Al Ghurair company has received the award, with AG PCS Switchgear being honoured with this achievement in 2023.
Jacob John, chief executive officer - Construction and Services Sector, Engineering Cluster at Al Ghurair, said, “Winning the Sword of Honour for two of our business units is a major achievement for Al Ghurair. We dared to benchmark our Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) standards against the best practices of the world's most esteemed organisations, and found ourselves at par. In this endeavour, the globally renowned British Safety Council has served as our partner, advisor and assessor. This collaboration has been instrumental in our diligent and rewarding journey towards safeguarding our people, related stakeholders and strengthening Al Ghurair’s position as a leader in the industry.”
To compete for the Sword of Honour, the companies first had to achieve the maximum Five Stars in British Safety Council’s audit scheme, which verified the divisions’ HSE Managements Systems and their approach to identifying and mitigating risks at the workplace. The companies were also required to demonstrate a proven track record and culture of best practice for excellence in health and safety management throughout the business, from the shop floor to the boardroom.
The British Safety Council's Swoard, Globe and Sheidl of Honour awards ceelbrate and reward those organisations that have reached the pinnacle of health, safety, wellbeing and environmental management.
The Middle East was well represented in the list of award winners in 2024, illustrating the growing focus on raising health and safety standards in the region. Other recipients of the award in the Middle East included Al Ain City Municipality, Al Hamra Industrial Zone, Bapco Refining, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (which also received the Globe of Honour for environmental management), NFZ Ral Al-Khaimah, Qatar Gas Transport, Company Ltd (Nakilat), and Qatar Shipyard Technology Solutions.
Applications for the 2025 awards are now open. See https://www.britsafe.org/p/international-safety-awards-application
A comparative study between two automotive companies in Belgium and Italy explores the digital impact of digital technologies and artificial intelligence-based worker management (AIWM) systems on occupational safety and health (OSH)
AIWM system integration has become increasingly prevalent in industrial sectors to enhance productivity and streamline processes. However, they can significantly impact worker autonomy, job quality and OSH. Findings of the study indicate that the adoption of the system mainly depend on the level of worker involvement and the managerial strategies employed.
While the Italian firm involves employees in decision-making processes and reports superior OSH outcomes and overall wellbeing, the Belgian firm follows a hierarchical, top-down management model. The choice of the management model adopted may largely be influenced by the size of the companies and their positions in the global value chain.
Given their active engagement with technology adoption and development, workers in the Italian firm were found to experience lower levels of stress, increased job satisfaction and reduced exposure to OSH risks in comparison with workers in the Belgian firm who exhibited an absence in worker participation, resulting in adverse health effects including burnout and anxiety.
Italian case reports also showed zero turnover along with the presence of a stable workforce, while the Belgian case on the other hand showed a slightly higher turnover indicating potential challenges in maintaining a consistent organisational culture and overall instability.
Moreover, the study takes into account the dual role that AIWM systems play in OSH management. For instance, while these systems enable real-time hazard monitoring, provide ergonomic support and facilitate the delivery of safety training programmes, they can however lead to adverse outcomes if operated without adequate human oversight.
Overall, the findings of the study highlight that a successful integration of AIWM systems require active engagement and participation of workers in the adoption, development and implementation of digital tools. In addition, structured training programmes, job role rotations, and proactive health and safety measures are mandatory requisites to ensure worker wellbeing and optimisation of production processes.
The global health, safety, and environment (HSE) landscape is experiencing significant growth.
On one side, unprecedented efforts are being channelled into tackling the climate crisis, with the international community steadfastly pursuing net-zero ambitions.
On the other, the focus on worker health and safety has intensified, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite substantial progress in occupational health and safety, work-related injuries and fatalities remain alarmingly high.
According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), work-related fatalities accounted for 6.71% of global deaths, while an estimated 374 million workers suffered non-fatal occupational accidents.
In a landmark move, the ILO has incorporated “a safe and healthy working environment” into its Fundamental Principles and Rights framework, underscoring its commitment to preventing workplace injuries and diseases.
Adding to the discourse, Environmental Resources Management (ERM) published its ERM 2024 Global Health and Safety Survey, which highlighted increasing investments in health and safety, stronger leadership engagement, and greater utilisation of technology and data analytics.
Notable findings include 94% of health and safety leaders reporting heightened stakeholder expectations over the past three years, with 80% anticipating further increases across all sectors and regions in the next three years.
Additionally, 77% expect rising health and safety expectations among prospective employees.
While 81% of participants acknowledged improved leadership engagement in health and safety over the past three years, only 7% felt that sufficient time was being dedicated to the topic.
To bridge this gap, 85% of respondents plan to invest in safety leadership initiatives within the next three years, signalling a clear shift towards prioritising health and safety at the leadership level.
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.
Farnek, a prominent smart and green facilities management (FM) company based in the UAE, was recently awarded at the "Better Together Awards," where it was given the headline prize for its outstanding health and safety initiatives.
The Expo City Dubai-organised awards honour exceptional individual and group accomplishments in worker welfare (WW) and health and safety (H&S), honouring its employees and contractors who help create a safer and healthier work environment at Expo City Dubai.
Farnek received the flagship honour, the "Better Together Award," which is granted to an organisation that has the finest initiative to promote cooperation and engagement with Expo City Dubai in 2024, demonstrating real-world implementation and measurable outcomes.
“This award recognises Farnek’s longstanding commitment, dedication and consistency, advancing the company’s H&S and WW strategy, which aligns closely with Expo City Dubai’s core values of care, integrity and excellence,” said Ryan Mitchell, Farnek’s head of quality, health, safety, excellence and wellbeing (QHSEW).
In order to increase the calibre and effectiveness of HSE reporting, Mitchell oversaw the Expo City HSE teams and used SAFETEK, a digital safety management technology. In order to create a safer atmosphere for renters and guests, he was able to reduce safety incidents by 21% and increase reporting observations by 38%.
At the awards ceremony, Farnek's Worker Welfare Officer, Mary Grace Besabella, was also acknowledged. She was given the Worker Welfare Impact Award for raising employment, housing, and transportation standards at Expo City Dubai in order to improve worker welfare.
Besabella supported a safe, friendly, and healthy workplace by attending to the needs and expectations of every employee. In order to initiate the reform of the operational structure, she also organised events and promoted health programmes.
In an effort to spur expansion throughout the continent, Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection (Teledyne GFD) has appointed a new vice president of sales and marketing for the Americas.
Gerald V. Sims will assist Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection in further growing its market share in this significant geographic market thanks to his extensive experience in gas utilities and his proven track record of sales leadership.
Over many years, Teledyne GFD has been expanding throughout the Americas. Teledyne Detcon, the company's US manufacturing facility in Cypress, Texas, has been offering industrial-grade gas detectors, control systems, analysers, and wireless technologies to the gas detection market for more than 40 years.
“Gerald will use his expertise and deep industry knowledge to play a pivotal role in maximising our growth potential and enhancing the presence of our product brands across the Americas,” said Thibault Fourlegnie, vice president and general manager, Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection. “We’re excited to see the gains that Gerald can provide, not just for Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection, but also for our customers. After all, an even stronger Teledyne Gas and Flame Detection is beneficial for stakeholders up and down the supply chain, including distributors and end users.”
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.
Oil and gas companies in the region are leveraging advanced technologies to prioritise health and safety while boosting operational efficiency.
ADNOC, for instance, has ramped up its use of innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI), advanced analytics, and robotic automation. By employing AI-powered modelling and analysis, the company effectively monitors business continuity strategies and encourages critical health, safety, and environmental (HSE) practices.
Key initiatives include VR-based fire-fighting training and the use of robotic fire-fighting equipment to reduce risks for personnel, as well as in-vehicle monitoring systems that promote safer driving habits—achieving a remarkable 99% reduction in driving violations since 2021. ADNOC has also equipped its rigs with smart glasses to provide real-time video sharing and easy access to technical documents, alongside an electronic work management system with over 100 integrated safety features.
At Aramco’s Yanbu Refinery, drones and robotics are transforming confined space inspections. By deploying specialised caged drones, the refinery has eliminated the need for human entry and scaffolding, significantly enhancing safety and minimising downtime. Across its facilities, Aramco operates over 100 drones to inspect assets and monitor for potential methane leaks, aligning with its emission reduction goals.
Better training
In the maritime industry, Drydocks World has redefined employee education on HSE by adopting technologies such as virtual reality (VR) training, artificial intelligence, and mobile learning. These innovative methods, recognised by the Shiptek ‘Best HSE Initiative’ award, have enhanced training engagement and improved workplace safety outcomes.
Similarly, P&O Maritime Logistics (P&OML) has developed an AI-powered Safety Assistant (AISA) using ChatGPT to guide employees on incident response, compliance requirements, risk assessment, and safety protocols. This tool provides instant access to critical HSE information and resources, fostering a safer and more informed workforce.
Technology providers are finding strong demand in the region’s oil and gas sector. Salunda, for example, recently secured a contract to install its Crew Hawk Red Zone monitoring solution on a jack-up rig.
This system offers real-time monitoring of hazardous zones, tracking personnel and equipment to ensure safety and minimise risks. Meanwhile, WakeCap’s IoT-based safety and productivity solutions helped achieve a 91% reduction in safety incidents at a major gas facility in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province by using advanced real-time analytics.
Additionally, 3t has partnered with the Saudi Arabian Drilling Academy (SADA) to integrate its 3t Drilling Systems simulators into training programmes, aiming to enhance the learning experience for drilling professionals.
President Trump’s first term had a significant impact on HSE: deregulation and policy shifts hoped to reduce the regulatory burden on businesses, often at the expense of stricter HSE oversight.
Beyond mere strategic priorities, Trump made tangible impacts with the rollback of several regulations from preceding administrations; rollbacks that continue to impact how operators approach legislation and standards. Throughout their first term, Trump & co. reduced the extent of OSHA inspections and potentially delayed the implementation of new safety standards in construction and oil and gas.
While these shifts undoubtedly played a starring role in President Trump's broader mission to streamline operations, reduce project lead-in times (especially in the energy sector) and minimise business costs, many still feel that worker protections were eroded to a degree that they have yet to recover fully from, four years on from the successive administration's inauguration.
In the case of over 100 environmental protections that the New York Times found were rolled back or restricted in breadth, many will argue that, beyond worker protections, the planet paid the price, too.
As Donald Trump is inaugurated for his second term in office, industries should anticipate further deregulation and policies favoring economic growth over stringent oversight.
In the face of such rollbacks, the industry may see current CSR and ESG strategies pushed to the wayside in favour of the lower operating costs and project efficiencies granted by a less-regulated environment. Federal policy changes, and businesses' reaction to them, will become even more critical to project success: those reacting quickest to them will likely be the most efficient, profitable and, in the eyes of many organisations, successful.
Whether short-term cost savings (courtesy of deregulation) cannibalise long-term HSE, ESG and CSR strategies, or businesses hold strong on their ambitious commitments, the sustainability and safety spheres are undoubtedly in for a transformative second Trump term.
The EU's stringent regulatory framework and varying standards outside of the bloc have inevitably led HSE practices and strategies to differ greatly among parties operating inside and outside of the Union: cooperation is growing all the more critical to establish and adhere to best practices that go above and beyond the standards set by EU regulation.
The European Union's influence on HSE standards is self-evident; companies must adhere to stringent and extensive regulations, ranging from frameworks dictating risk assessment processes to those relating to preventive measures and employee safety.
Companies outside of the Union, however, may operate under vastly different frameworks or regulations; in some regions, HSE requirements may be less comprehensive, while others may exceed the standards and demands laid out by the EU.
This creates discrepancies between different companies and internally within those operating internationally or interregionally, posing a risk to both market competition (where companies may opt to divest from projects subject to more stringent regulations) and worker safety for those falling behind modern HSE standards.
Inevitably, as these discrepancies grow more dramatic, they also complicate international cooperation between teams and projects inside and outside of the European Union, potentially rendering such projects more expensive, less safe, and of greater risk to their surrounding environments.
Looking towards a future that undoubtedly requires international and, indeed, global cooperation to solve matters of emergency or crisis (with recent wildfires and pandemics serving as notable reminders of the fragility of the Earth's environment), it is critical that industry convenes and cooperates to ensure a largely seamless transition between regions and countries. Such cooperation will protect and enhance the stringent (but necessary) HSE regulations that have sparked a massive decline in workplace incidents in the EU, while also enabling companies to expand and operate internationally without regulatory barriers or a compromise of workplace safety.
A continuous and consistent approach can level the currently skewed playing field, reducing competitive disadvantages for businesses adhering to stricter regulations. It also ensures consistency in addressing global challenges like climate change, pollution, and occupational hazards.
Essentially, aligning HSE approaches between EU and non-EU businesses is essential for fostering global safety, sustainability, and equity. Divergent standards will create growing health and environmental risks over the coming decades, particularly in global supply chains, where lower standards outside the EU may undermine broader efforts to protect workers and the environment.