HSE

Mining is one of the most dangerous occupations.

Nearly one in five (18%) workers have experienced harm at work globally, with nearly half of this going unreported, according to the latest edition of the Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll

The research comes from global safety charity Lloyd’s Register Foundation’s latest report: Engineering safer workplaces: Global trends in occupational safety and health using World Risk Poll data collected by global analytics firm Gallup, who conducted 147,000 interviews in 142 countries and territories around the world.

According to the report, rates of harm vary greatly from sector to sector, with fishing named as the most dangerous occupation, just ahead of construction and mining. Low- and lower-middle-income countries were also found to have higher workplace harm rates (19% and 22%, respectively). Almost two thirds of the global workforce (62%) have never received occupational safety and health (OSH) training about risks associated with their work.

Those in less stable forms of employment, such as part-time employees, were found to be more likely to suffer from harm than full-time employees (20% versus 15%). This is compounded by the fact that rates of training were found to be lower for part-time employees – less than a quarter (23%) had received workplace safety training in the past two years, compared to 41% of full-time employees.

Only half (51%) of the workers globally who experienced harm at work say they reported it. The report found that the more recently people have had training, the more likely they are to report workplace harm if they experience it. Individuals who had received workplace safety training in the last two years are 3.3 times more likely to report harm, compared to those who had never received any. 

Nancy Hey, director of evidence and insight at Lloyd’s Register Foundation, said, “Low reporting rates, combined with a potential lack of awareness due to low training rates, mean that the true extent of workplace harm is rarely revealed. That’s why safety and health interventions that are both regular and tailored must be a priority for both businesses and policymakers, along with clear reporting tools for all employees – including both part-time and full-time. Special efforts must be made to reach those most at risk and ensure they have a holistic understanding of what safety and health means, as well as an in-depth knowledge of essential procedures in place to keep them safe."

According to International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates, nearly three million people worldwide die of work-related accidents and diseases every year. Another 395 million workers sustain non-fatal injuries, particularly in hazardous industrial sectors such as agriculture and construction.

The report can be downloaded here

The last recorded cases of heat-related illness at EGA were in 2020. (Image source: EGA)

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the UAE's largest industrial company outside the oil and gas sector, has announced achieving zero heat-related illnesses for the third consecutive summer.

Heat-related illnesses pose a significant risk for anyone working outdoors during the UAE's intense summer heat, with the potential to be life-threatening if not addressed promptly. EGA’s industrial operations, which generate additional heat, run continuously throughout the summer, requiring round-the-clock outdoor work.

EGA's 'Beat the Heat' programme, in place for over a decade, is a comprehensive, summer-long initiative designed to combat occupational heat stress. It focuses on raising awareness among employees about the early signs of heat-related illness and empowering them to take proactive measures to prevent its onset.

Stress prevention

EGA’s ‘Beat the Heat’ campaign incorporates several measures to prevent heat-related illnesses, including hydration tests conducted before and during shifts, regular breaks, and cooling showers. The programme also features cooling booths, drinking stations, icemakers, and portable air conditioning units installed throughout the production areas to ensure that both employees and contractors remain cool and comfortable during their work shifts.

Medical personnel from EGA’s on-site centres play an active role in heat stress prevention, working closely with employees and providing immediate treatment to anyone reporting early symptoms of heat stress.

Since 2022, EGA has partnered with US technology firm Kenzen to trial wearable technology that monitors key physiological indicators such as core body temperature and heart rate. This summer, 300 EGA employees used these devices, which provide real-time feedback to both the wearer and EGA’s safety team, allowing for the detection of early heat stress signs before they are physically felt.

The last recorded cases of heat-related illness at EGA were in 2020 when two employees required treatment. Both individuals received intravenous hydration and fully recovered within hours.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of EGA, said, “Our success in completely preventing heat-related illness on our sites for the third year in a row proves that this key hazard for outdoor workers in region can be overcome. Occupational heat stress remains a serious challenge in our region and beyond, and we believe our experience has important lessons for everyone employing people to work outside.”

The construction site at New Murabba. (Image source: New Murabba)

The New Murabba Development Company, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has announced significant progress on the creation of its ambitious urban destination.

Excavation at the iconic Mukaab and its surrounding podium sites is now 86% complete, with over 10 million cubic metres of earth moved. This milestone highlights the fast pace of the project and reaffirms the company’s commitment to delivering the world’s largest, modern downtown.

In addition to the sheer scale of the development, the project prioritises worker safety, having logged over 3 million safe work hours to date.

This focus on safety underscores the company's belief that progress and worker well-being must go hand in hand as it builds Riyadh's new downtown.

^{Around 900 workers work on-site every day.} 

Managing a large number of workers

“These milestones are a testament to the dedication and skill of our team, and our ambition to build a world-class destination that prioritises both innovation and the well-being of our workforce. We are proud of the progress made at New Murabba, and excited to continue shaping the future of Riyadh”, said Michael Dyke, CEO of New Murabba Development Company.

The recent progress that New Murabba made highlights the team’s effort during the excavation process.

One crucial element of the development is the focus on environmentally friendly methods for managing the excavated materials.

The excavation process required the daily use of approximately 250 excavators and over 400 pieces of equipment to effectively manage the extensive excavation work. This serves to underline the considerable scale and magnitude of the operation.

New Murabba is set to build a temporary bridge, a key infrastructure element that will link the construction site by crossing King Khalid Road.

This bridge will play a vital role in enabling continuous development and preparing for the start of Mukaab piling in the coming months. By reducing approximately 800,000 truck movements on public roads during earthworks, the bridge will have a positive effect on the surrounding infrastructure. With around 900 workers on-site daily, the project is progressing swiftly, bringing the landmark destination closer to completion.

Entries will be evaluated through a comprehensive and impartial judging process. (Image source: RoSPA)

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has officially launched its 2025 health and safety awards, with NEBOSH as the headline sponsor.

The awards celebrate organisations and individuals dedicated to improving health, safety, and wellbeing within communities. RoSPA and NEBOSH, both longstanding leaders in safety improvements, are inviting applications from businesses and organisations seeking recognition for their achievements in health and safety.

RoSPA's health and safety awards programme, established in 1956, is the longest-running of its kind in the UK. NEBOSH, founded in 1979, has been a key partner in driving global health and safety advancements alongside RoSPA. Together, they have contributed to saving countless lives and promoting safety best practices across industries.

Judging process

Applications are open to organisations of all sizes, from small enterprises to large corporations. The awards highlight excellence in safety management systems, while the Inspiration Awards recognise outstanding achievements by individuals and teams. RoSPA has partnered with Chas, the UK's leading health and safety accreditation scheme, to simplify the entry process for Chas members.

Entries will be evaluated through a comprehensive and impartial judging process, conducted by experienced occupational health and safety professionals. The main award panel will be chaired by Dee Arp, Chief Quality Officer at NEBOSH.

Rebecca Hickman, CEO at RoSPA, said, “We are delighted to kick off the RoSPA 2025 Awards and honoured to have NEBOSH by our side as headline sponsor. Together, we have a long history of improving the health, safety and wellbeing of our communities and the Awards is the perfect way for us to stand together and make a difference.

“We look forward to reading about the health and safety innovations of organisations and individuals around the world.”

Andy Shenstone, chief executive, NEBOSH said, “Aligned with our new strategy, we’re committed to advancing NEBOSH’s mission through social purpose initiatives that expand our charitable impact in the UK and globally. Collaborating with like-minded organisations is crucial to our success, and as a fellow charity, we’re honoured to support RoSPA’s vital work in preventing harm.”

To enter the 2025 RoSPA Awards, find out more information on the process or to see the extra benefits for RoSPA members see www.rospa.com/awards.