NEBOSH head of qualifications and assessment, David Towlson, spoke to Amitabh Bhattacharya about working in the Middle East waste industry, including the challenge of fostering a positive health and safety culture
Economic expansion and a growing population have led to a significant increase in waste in the Middle East in recent years. According to data from the World Bank Group, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE now rank among the highest solid waste generating countries per capita in the world, with urban waste in the Middle East to double to 370,000 tonnes per day by 2025. As a result, ambitious waste management projects have been developing across the region leading to an ever-expanding waste management industry.
Figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK suggest that accident rates in the waste industry can be around four times higher than other sectors, with the number of fatal incidents being up to ten times higher. This makes fostering a positive health and safety culture within the emerging waste industry in the Middle East particularly important.
Health, safety and environment consultant, Amitabh Bhattacharya, has worked within both the oil and gas and waste industries in the region. He said, “Middle Eastern countries need to ensure that the occupational safety and health capabilities and standards that have been developed within other industries are also brought to waste management.”
Bhattacharya stressed the importance of training at ‘ground zero’ level within the waste industry in order to ensure a positive health and safety culture.
“One of the key aspects is having management realise the benefits and importance of what health and safety bring overall to the organisation, as well as the consequences for failing to do so,” he added.
“In-house training at all levels, which not only focuses on procedural improvement but also helps to demonstrate to all key stakeholders the impact of a shift in cultural safety, is what has led to results where I have worked,” he stated.
He also pointed out an important aspect relevant to Saudi Arabia in particular, which is the implementation of the Royal Commission Environmental Regulations (RCER) for the waste industry.
“It is essential to comply and adhere with the complete regulations as mentioned in RCER as there are often random checks carried out by Royal Commission and Presidency of Meteorology and Environment officials to ensure the same,” he explained.
As well as local compliance issues, he highlighted unique conditions within the Middle East region that need to be taken into account, particularly extreme weather.
“Creating a positive health and safety culture in any industry can be challenging. However, I believe by highlighting the benefits at all levels, not just in terms of keeping people safe from harm, but also including more effective productivity, an increase in business and better industrial relations can inspire everyone to achieve improved standards.
The waste industry is becoming increasingly important in the Middle East. We must do everything we can to keep people who work within it both safe and healthy,” he concluded.
