Dubai Municipality has inaugurated its Health and Safety Week event today, 29 April, coinciding with the World Workplace Health and Safety Day, observed annually on 28 April. The event sees significant engagement from government and private entities, aiming to promote best practices and facilitate the exchange of experiences in health, safety, and accident prevention, ensuring a secure working environment for all.
Presently, the Municipality leads public safety efforts through initiatives like the Occupational Health and Safety Control Programme and the Environmental Health Control Programme in Dubai. These include a dedicated division for Health and Safety Management in Labour Buildings, addressing climate change's adverse effects, alongside an integrated awareness programme involving multilingual social media campaigns and action plans.
Agenda
Running from April 29 to 2 May, the Health and Safety Week will host sessions discussing climate change's impact on occupational health and safety, offering insights into future trends. It will feature presentations on best practices, workshops on first aid techniques, and discussions on critical workplace safety risks.
An accompanying exhibition will showcase specialised health and safety companies providing medical examinations for employees. Workers' awareness workshops will focus on mandatory safety procedures and rights.
Representatives from key government bodies like the International Labour Organisation (OSH), the Dubai Health Authority, and private entities such as SaveFast Fire and Safety LLC, SERCO, PRIME Hospital, and others will participate in the event, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange in health and safety.
Dr. Naseem Rafie, acting CEO of the Health and Safety Department at Dubai Municipality, stated that the weeklong event will provide a venue to showcase ongoing efforts in developing an integrated preventive system encompassing occupational health and safety frameworks, to ensure compliance for all employees.
She further explained that occupational safety and health management systems are preventive systems, which can facilitate comprehensive mechanisms for proactive actions and its workplace applications. It aims to ensure proactive risk management, and protection of human capital in the face of workplace hazards while bolstering the safety of workers.
She said, “Dubai Municipality utilises advanced occupational health and safety management systems across the UAE. Further, the municipality uses meticulously designed procedures, regulations, and policies to ensure the safety and well-being of all municipal employees and its service recipients. The event reaffirms our long-standing commitment to developing a sustainable health and environmental system, aimed at making Dubai the premier sustainable and well-being-centric destination. Moreover, it furthers our wise leadership’s vision to position Dubai as the best city to live and work in the world.”
