HSE KSA takes place in September this year. (Image source: SafeStart)

This month, we are taking a break from the Paradigm Shifts to let you know that the visionary author behind this series will be speaking at three events in the Middle East this fall.

With a rare blend of unique insight and engaging storytelling, Larry Wilson has captured the attention of HSE practitioners worldwide, by delving into the human factors that lead to over 95% of accidental injuries. These events promise to be a unique opportunity to experience firsthand the insights of an intellectual pioneer whose ideas are at the forefront of Human Factors Safety discourse.

Larry has been a leader in human factors management for over 25 years. The state-to-error pattern he uncovered is involved in over 95% of accidental injuries. His Critical Error Reduction Techniques have been proven by neuroscience to reduce injuries on and off the job. These techniques have been taught to over 4.5 million people in over 75 countries.

Larry is one of the most active keynote speakers at HSE conferences around the globe, speaking in over 80 cities a year. Known for his ability to distill complex concepts into accessible and thought-provoking narratives, Larry’s sessions are a testament to his thought leadership and expert insight. His new keynote session, “New Perspectives on the Hierarchy of Controls and the Bowtie Model,” offers a unique viewpoint on the role of Human Factors in incident causation and outcomes.

This fall, attendees in the Middle East will have the opportunity to witness Larry’s expertise live at three key events.

These gatherings are more than just lectures; they are interactive experiences designed to provoke thought, inspire dialogue, and foster a deeper understanding of the human factors that impact our safety every day. Whether you are a professional seeking to stay ahead of industry trends, a student eager to expand your horizons, or simply someone with a passion for safety, these events are guaranteed to provide value.

Don’t miss your opportunity to see Larry Wilson, author of the Paradigm Shifts series, live at these events:

HSE 2024 KSA – Riyadh, September 17 - 18

Health, Safety and Environment Forum – Dubai, November 12 – 13

HSE Learning Summit – MENA – Abu Dhabi, November 19 - 20

If you have questions, just send us a note at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We hope to see you in one of these events!

The SafeStart Team

USA looks to develop HSE practices in Egypt. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency has signed a feasibility study grant to help the Alexandria Petroleum Company (APC) improve the health, safety, and environmental protocols of its El Max refinery in Alexandria, Egypt

The grant will fund a series of studies to identify and address the facility’s priority safety and fire protection needs, advancing APC’s priority to upgrade and expand its safety programmes and equipment, improving forecasting and emergency response capabilities, and updating protocols and trainings. By adopting cutting-edge technologies and best practices, the El Max refinery, founded in 1962, will increase safety for workers and limit greenhouse gas emissions and environmental damage in the event of a fire or other emergency. The feasibility study will also serve as a model for other refineries in Egypt.

“Egypt’s commitment to bolstering the safety and health of its workers creates new opportunities for collaboration between organisations like USTDA and APC,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s director. “This grant will help create opportunities for U.S. companies to supply the technologies and services that Egypt’s refineries will require.”

Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, H.E. Tarek El Molla said, “Health, Safety, and Environment have been key elements of the sector’s modernisation since 2016. Today, they remain strong among the sector’s core principals, along with upgrading our refineries to enhance safety and operational excellence.”

APC chairman Alaa Amin added, “Partnering with USTDA on this feasibility study marks an important step forward for APC. This study demonstrates our unwavering commitment to excellence in process safety, ensuring the highest safety standards for our operations in line with the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources strategy.”

APC is a subsidiary of the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC), under the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.

Dubai Municipality conducted 52,233 inspections in the realms of environment, health, and food during the first half of 2024. (Image source: Dubai Municipality)

Dubai Municipality conducted 52,233 inspections in the realms of environment, health, and food during the first half of 2024.

These inspections aimed to ensure that various activities and establishments in the city complied with standards related to consumer products, food safety, health and safety, and environmental regulations.

Dr. Naseem Mohammad Rafee, Acting CEO of the Environment, Health & Safety Agency at Dubai Municipality, emphasised the Municipality’s dedication to performing regular inspections and campaigns year-round. This is to foster a strong food and health ecosystem and to create a sustainable environment that supports flexible food supply chains and secures food safety in Dubai. Dr. Rafee also mentioned the Municipality's goal to sustain the environment and conserve natural resources, thus enhancing Dubai’s reputation as a sustainable and desirable city with a high quality of life.

Dr. Rafee said, “Dubai Municipality places a major emphasis on the food, environment, and safety sectors. We constantly strive to develop these sectors and enhance their safety through monitoring to guarantee the highest standards of safety and quality of life in the Emirate. Additionally, we seek to offer a cutting-edge infrastructure that supports the growth of businesses and initiatives while ensuring strict compliance with all the laws, regulations, and guidelines enacted in Dubai and the UAE.”

Health and safety

Dubai Municipality’s health and safety team, consisting of 95 supervisors, conducted 26,566 inspections across six campaigns targeting hotel facilities, shisha cafes, hair salons, beauty centres, worker accommodations, and community markets. They also ensured the safety of public spaces, playgrounds, event venues, industrial and professional enterprises, infrastructure projects, and temporary activities.

The Municipality also conducted campaigns at ports, assessing over 17,000 shipments of consumer products, equivalent to 145,000 tons, to ensure compliance with approved consumer specifications and safety standards.

Environmental sustainability

Dubai Municipality’s environmental team completed a total of 4,331 inspections. This included 3,378 inspections of projects, industrial, and service facilities, using a smart inspection system to efficiently plan and execute environmental monitoring tasks. Additionally, the Municipality organised a virtual awareness campaign to ensure businesses adhere to approved environmental laws and regulations.

Furthermore, the Municipality conducted 783 inspections to monitor the marine environment, coastal regions, and collect sea samples, ensuring compliance with environmental laws and regulations. Campaigns also included 170 inspections as part of the monitoring program for natural reserves in Dubai.

Matt Overcasher and Steve Manypenny, field technicians with Columbia Gas of Ohio, received the Community Hero award. (Image source: Blackline Safety)

Blackline Safety has launched the Blackline Safety Impact Awards, an international safety awards programme to recognise individuals and organisations that go above and beyond to keep their employees, communities and the environment safe

“Blackline’s No. 1 priority is ensuring that every worker returns home at the end of the day in the same form they arrived, and that communities and the environment are protected from life-threatening situations,” said Christine Gillies, chief product & marketing officer of Blackline Safety, whose suite of safety devices are used by hundreds of fire and hazmat, oil and gas, petrochemical, food production, biotech, transportation, utilities, and water and wastewater organisations globally.

“Our goal is to recognise Blackline technology users who are aligned with our mission and have helped save lives by avoiding serious incidents or causalities in their pursuit of safety,” Gillies explained.

Blackline’s gas detectors and gas monitors are supported by a cloud-connected monitoring and analytics platform, enabling organisations to view in real time all their workers’ locations and gas readings in the field, and configure their devices, from any Internet-connected smartphone, tablet or computer, no matter how remote the location.

Blackline Safety Impact Awards will be presented annually in a variety of award categories, including customer, channel partner and environmental heroes, in addition to community heroes. For more information and to nominate an organization, group or individual for the award, visit https://www.blacklinesafety.com/blackline-safety-impact-awards.