The qualification is suitable for a variety of road users, including those operating off-road and heavy vehicles. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has launched the RoSPA Level 2 International Award in Defensive Driving, and has been named as an accredited provider of Defensive Driver Training by the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP)

Developed by the RoSPA Qualifications team, the RoSPA Level 2 International Award in Defensive Driving aims to improve a driver’s ability to drive safely and with confidence in whatever environment and conditions they operate in. The qualification is available to organisations whose employees drive regularly for work, on public roads and company premises.

The international qualification in defensive driving will see qualification centres offer defensive driving techniques such as hazard awareness, speed management, and risk assessment. Suitable for a variety of road users, including those operating off-road and heavy vehicles, the qualification ensures drivers understand the legal, cultural, and environmental requirements of driving in their region. They will also be educated on human factors such as distractions, fatigue and driver behaviour, and journey conditions, including driving on different types of road surface and the use of vehicle safety systems.

Penny Brooks, Driver Qualifications portfolio manager, said,

“We are proud to say that RoSPA has been accredited by the IOGP and now provides the oil and gas sector with a qualification that seeks to improve safety and save lives.”

Accidents involving road vehicles are a leading cause of death and injury in the oil and gas sector. Vehicle-related accidents contributed to more than a quarter of worker deaths in the USA’s oil and gas industry from 2014-2019, according to a report from the USA’s CDC, with around 20% of these involving lone workers.

DoE teams will engage with gas operators, establishments, and individuals to raise awareness. (Image source: Abu Dhabi DoE)

The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has launched a summer safety campaign to enhance the safe use of petroleum products, particularly liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and promote a culture of safety awareness across the commercial, industrial and residential sectors

As part of this initiative, the DoE teams will engage with gas operators, establishments, and individuals over the summer months to raise awareness of safety standards, offer support, and increase awareness about the importance of compliance with the new regulations. This will include visits to restaurants, shopping malls, hotels, palaces, residential apartment buildings, villas, storage facilities, and large plants.

Marking the start of the campaign, the DoE acting director general of regulatory affairs, Dr Saif Saeed Al Qubaisi, visited Al Khalidiya Mall and Al Bateen Park Villas and Buildings in Abu Dhabi to inspect their central gas systems and offer support on complying with safety standards.

Dr Al Qubaisi said, “Safety is our top priority. One of the key objectives of this campaign is to reach as many stakeholders as possible. By engaging our stakeholders in person, we hope to build relationships, provide guidance on the new standards, and ensure that operators are complying with them.”

Eng. Ahmed Alsayed Mohamed Alsheebani, the DoE’s acting executive director of regulatory affairs for the petroleum products director, urged all sector operators and establishments to reach out to the DoE for any clarifications regarding regulations, the permitting system, and safety standards.

The DoE was recently mandated to regulate all aspects of trading petroleum products (for all non-ADNOC private operators) in the Emirate, and is developing a unified permit platform to govern and monitor trading activities of petroleum products and unify standards.

Alsheebani explained, “Effectively, we are consolidating and streamlining the petroleum products sector codes (starting with LPG) and collaborating with relevant Abu Dhabi partners to ensure a safer, sustainable, more environmentally friendly sector.”

The campaign kicked off today. (Image source: Sharjah24)

Sharjah city is organising safety awareness campaigns for protecting people from the heat. 

Muhammad Al Zarouni, Director of the Representative Office of the Ministry of Health and Prevention in Sharjah, announced the launch of the 13th edition of a campaign to prevent heat exhaustion and related illnesses in Sharjah. Organised in collaboration with the Sharjah Supreme Council for Family Affairs, the campaign is titled “Your Safety is Our Goal” and aims to raise health awareness among all community members about the dangers of high temperatures. The campaign particularly targets workers and will extend to all cities in the Emirate of Sharjah.

Al Zarouni stated that the campaign, which runs throughout the summer, includes field visits to construction sites and educational lectures to disseminate health information to diverse segments of society, regardless of nationality.

He further explained that the campaign emphasises proper behaviours and awareness of the health risks associated with heat exhaustion, as well as ways to ensure a safe working environment. The initiative provides free medical exams, including blood pressure, diabetes, and vision tests, along with free eyeglasses for workers in need and cold beverages to help them stay hydrated.

Homeland security investments are expected to grow as well. (Image source: Intersec)

According to Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the 25th edition of the Intersec, which took place in Dubai earlier this year, resulted in a potential business buying capacity of more than US$16.7bn.

Significant business was done at the event, including a strategic agreement between the Judicial Inspection Authority (JIA) and Moro Hub, a Digital DEWA subsidiary, to create an advanced website for the authority and establish a comprehensive Judicial Performance Management system. Additionally, at Intersec 2024, Moro Hub and the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA) inked a strategic agreement to expand coordination and cooperation in the field of smart city security.

Digital Mobility Services (DMS): Econocom and Streamax have forged a strategic alliance to create intelligent transport systems in Saudi Arabia that leverage cutting-edge artificial intelligence to improve the effectiveness of public transit.

Growing economy

According to Business industry Insights, the homeland security industry in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is expected to reach a valuation of US$15,601.75mn by 2028. With factors like automation and the growth of airports and passenger traffic propelling the industry forward, Intersec is set to continue fostering significant business opportunities and partnerships as it gets ready to return to the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) for its 26th edition from 14-16 January next year. 

Grant Tuchten, portfolio director at Intersec organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said, "This monumental achievement underscores the importance of Intersec as a pivotal platform for fostering business partnerships and driving the industry's growth. The potential buying capacity generated at Intersec highlights the event's influence and its critical role in facilitating groundbreaking deals and collaborations that shape the future of safety, security, and fire protection."