Industry insights

Details: Sania Aziz; Industrial Insights

Topic: Training
Region: Europe
Date: 29th April 2026
Year: 2026

NEBOSH has refreshed its Health and Safety at Work Award, introducing updates aimed at strengthening its position as an accessible entry point into occupational safety training.

Designed as a short, introductory qualification, the course can be completed in around three days and equips learners with the practical skills needed to identify common workplace hazards, assess risks and support safer working environments across a range of industries. The programme also aims to build confidence in applying core safety principles in real-world settings.

The revised 2026 version includes a more structured syllabus, offering clearer guidance on learning outcomes. It also introduces content on mental ill-health, reflecting a broader understanding of workplace risks, and aligns more closely with NEBOSH’s higher-level qualifications to support progression.

Feedback from previous participants has been strong, with the qualification achieving a 93% recommendation rate. Many learners reported that the course helped them better manage everyday risks, prevent incidents and improve overall safety practices within their organisations.

Janet Dawson, who led the redevelopment, said the qualification remains a practical starting point for those entering the field. “The Health and Safety at Work Award provides learners with essential knowledge to make immediate improvements in their workplaces and reduce the likelihood of incidents,” she said. “Because the assessment is based on the learner’s own working environment, it allows them to deliver real value to their organisation while studying.”

Learners have also highlighted the qualification’s role in supporting career development. Akram Ali Khan, who completed the award before progressing to more advanced certifications, said: “It gave me a solid grounding in key areas such as risk assessment, hazard control and the importance of building a strong safety culture.”

The qualification is available in both English and Arabic through NEBOSH’s global network of learning partners, making it accessible to a wide audience seeking to build foundational knowledge in health and safety.

Industrial Insights

Details: Sania Aziz; Industrial Insights

Topic: HSE
Region: Europe
Date: 28th April 2026
Year: 2026

British Safety Council has strengthened its leadership with the appointment of three new trustees to its board: Sachit Rajan, Sarah Adamson and Richard Daniels.

Chairman Peter McGettrick welcomed the additions, noting that each brings specialist expertise across areas including investment, governance, risk management and occupational safety. He highlighted that their combined experience will support the organisation’s ongoing development as it approaches seven decades of promoting workplace health, safety and wellbeing.

Richard Daniels joins the board following a long career with the Health and Safety Executive, where he held senior roles over more than three decades. Most recently, he served as Director of the Chemicals Regulation Division, overseeing the safe management and use of chemicals across the UK. His previous positions include serving as Chief Inspector of Explosives, and he has been recognised as an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Explosive Engineers.

Sarah Adamson, Managing Director of SC Limited, brings extensive experience in risk advisory and fire resilience. Her work has included leading major programmes for the UK government and contributing to the development of fire and rescue capabilities internationally. She also holds leadership roles within industry bodies, including the Fire Industry Association Export Council and the Fire and Rescue Suppliers Association, and is known for her focus on strengthening professional standards and sector collaboration.

Sachit Rajan adds a strong background in strategy, governance and investment. His experience spans multiple sectors and regions, with a focus on supporting organisations through growth, transformation and ESG integration. He has advised leadership teams and boards on aligning operational performance with long-term strategic objectives, as well as implementing robust governance frameworks.

The appointments reflect the British Safety Council’s continued focus on strengthening its governance and expanding its expertise base to address evolving challenges in workplace safety, sustainability and organisational resilience.

Industrial Insights

Details: Sania Aziz; Industrial Insights

Topic: HSE
Region: Middle East
Date: 27th April 2026
Year: 2026

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has called for urgent global action to address psychosocial risks in the workplace, warning that more than 840,000 deaths each year are linked to such factors.

Marking World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2026, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo highlighted the growing importance of mental health, job design and workplace culture in shaping workers’ overall wellbeing.

According to the ILO, rapid changes in the global labour landscape – driven by digitalisation, evolving employment models, demographic shifts and climate pressures – are transforming how work is organised. These changes, while offering new opportunities, are also intensifying psychosocial risks that can significantly affect workers’ safety, health and dignity.

The organisation stressed that work plays a central role in people’s lives, offering purpose, security and opportunity. However, poorly designed or managed work environments can have the opposite effect, contributing to stress, mental health disorders and even physical illness. Psychosocial risk factors have been strongly associated with cardiovascular diseases and mental health conditions, underscoring the scale of the challenge.

Beyond the human toll, the ILO noted that these risks impose substantial economic and social costs, affecting productivity, increasing healthcare burdens and undermining organisational resilience. As such, creating safe and healthy working environments is not only a moral imperative but also a key driver of sustainable economic performance.

The ILO reiterated that safe and healthy workplaces are a fundamental principle and right at work, but achieving this requires deliberate action. Effective job design, manageable workloads, supportive leadership and inclusive workplace cultures are all critical components in reducing psychosocial risks.

"For workers in every sector, psychosocial factors at work can make the difference between a job that supports well-being and one that undermines it," Houngbo said.

The agency emphasised that responsibility must be shared across all stakeholders. Governments are urged to establish robust policies, legal frameworks and occupational safety and health systems that prioritise prevention. Employers, meanwhile, play a crucial role in shaping day-to-day working conditions through responsible management practices and leadership. Workers and their representatives also contribute valuable insights into workplace realities, enabling more effective interventions.

The ILO called for stronger collaboration through social dialogue to address these issues comprehensively. By working together, stakeholders can ensure that the organisation and management of work promote healthier employees, more resilient businesses and societies that are closer to achieving social justice.

The appeal aligns with the ILO’s broader vision of decent work, which places human dignity, safety and wellbeing at the centre of economic development.

Industrial Insights

Details: Louise Waters; Industrial Insights

Topic: HSE
Region: Middle East
Date: 24th April 2026
Year: 2026

At a lively and thought-provoking SafeStart webinar, Larry Wilson, CEO and founder of SafeStart, explained the neuroscience behind complacency, how often it is a contributing factor to incidents, and what techniques and strategies can be employed both at a personal and a company level to combat it

In high-risk environments, incidents rarely happen due to lack of skill; they happen when attention drops and complacency sets in. It is the combination of complacency with serious human factors that causes that causes the majority of serious incidents and fatalities.

The dangers posed by complacency have been recognised throughout history, as illustrated by an old Africa proverb “You only encounter the wild beast on the familiar trail.”

Delving into the two stages of the complacency continuum, Larry Wilson explained how neurological factors mean that it is inevitable that complacency sets in around the time that competence is achieved. And while competence is essential (who would trust an incompetent train driver or incompetent forklift truck driver?), with competence comes complacency, and that complacency can lead to mind not on task, or mind not on risk.

“You might be thinking about driving, but you’re thinking, is it the next right or the second right hand turn? You’re not necessarily thinking about that transport truck that is right beside you,” said Wilson.

At the second stage of complacency, it can start to affect decision making, as illustrated by statements such as “I’ve been doing this job for 20 years and never been hurt yet.”

“Once you get to the first stage of complacency your mind can wander. As soon as you get past the first stage of complacency, you become very susceptible to the active states, the active human factors such as rushing, frustration and fatigue. These can contribute to eyes not on task, mind not on task, line-of- fire, and balance/traction/grip issues, which increase the risk of injury.”

Critical error reduction techniques

Wilson then introduced the critical error reduction techniques to combat complacency which include:

• Self-triggering – It is important to recognise the active states and to self-trigger at this stage. “As soon as you realise you’re rushing, using too many things at one, or feeling frustrated, or feeling tired, you have to quickly think eyes; mind; line of fire; balance/traction/ grip. These are the four critical errors that can hurt you, and normally if you think about those errors, you will be much less likely to make one.” However it is not enough to self-trigger – reinforcement is needed. “It takes 66 repetitions to change those neural pathways,” Wilson noted.

• Good safety habits – These include strategies such as looking out for things that could cause you to lose your balance, traction or grip; looking for line of fire potential; moving your eyes before moving hands, feet, body or car; testing your footing or grip before you commit your weight, etc. Working on these helps to compensate for complacency. Wilson emphasised th e importance of working on one habit at a time, and gradually improving all five habits.

• Analyse close calls and small errors – “Every time you bump and scrape into something ask yourself, why, and think about how it could have been worse. When you contemplate the worse case scenario, it adds a bit more voltage in terms of creating those neural pathways.”

• Look at others for the patterns that increase the risk of injury.

Wilson went on to discuss how critical decisions are influenced or compromised by the four states - rushing, frustration, fatigue and complacency - or a combination of those states, and how they can lead to not following rules, procedures and PPE standards. For example not checking critical pieces of equipment, not using PPE or a device you would normally use or following a safe procedure you would normally do, being overly complacent with other people so you don’t anticipate potential problems, or being complacent enough to do something you know increases the likelihood of mind or eyes not on task, such as driving while on the phone.

He shared the example of a maintenance technician fabricator with 40 years experience, who was cutting off bolts with a grinder, a task he had done many times before. However a colleague had put the bolts on back to front, a source of frustration. The technician was not wearing a face visor, as he normally would, and took a deliberate risk by conducting an unsafe procedure. The grinder kicked back and cut him in the face.

“So for complacency, we need to focus on the critical error reduction techniques for complacency. For the people that are making the exception, we need to get them to self trigger on the states that are causing the exception. And by pointing out the traps that almost everyone falls into, and getting them to think about the states and the critical error reduction techniques, we will get safe behaviour on a voluntary basis. We want to create a culture of voluntary compliance.”

Wilson gave the example of a site in Nigeria which had gone five years without a lost time incident. Particularly impressive had been the staff parking lot, where every single car was voluntarily backed in without any sign instructing this, following sessions with SafeStart.

He went on to recommend tools and techniques companies could take to combat the second stage of complacency, such as ‘rate your state’ activities, toolbox talks, refresher training, near-miss reports etc.

These can be combined with actions people can take on a personal basis, such as using the critical reduction techniques, working on the safety habits, and using tools such as ‘rate your state’ to assess the likelihood of making a critical error.

“For example when you get into the car, ask yourself, ‘How am I doing: am I rushing, feeling frustration, fatigue, complacency?’ And halfway through the drive, ask yourself again.”

“You can’t beat complacency – it’s the way your brain is hardwired,” Wilson concluded. “The key thing is to recognise that you don’t have to let complacency beat you.”

Access the webinar

Keen to learn more? The webinar can be accessed here

Industrial Insights

Details: Sania Aziz; Industrial Insights

Topic: HSE
Region: North America
Date: 23rd April 2026
Year: 2026

A new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) has revealed the significant and growing impact of psychosocial risks in the workplace, linking them to more than 840,000 deaths each year worldwide.

The findings, released to mark the World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April 2026, highlight the urgent need for stronger policies and workplace interventions to address these risks.

According to the report, psychosocial risk factors—such as long working hours, workplace stress, and exposure to harassment—are major contributors to cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders. These risks are also responsible for nearly 45 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost annually, underscoring their widespread impact on both individuals and economies. The ILO estimates that the resulting loss in productivity equates to approximately 1.37% of global GDP each year.

One of the most pressing concerns identified is the prevalence of long working hours. Globally, around 35% of workers exceed 48 hours per week, a threshold associated with a heightened risk of stroke and heart disease. In parallel, workplace harassment remains a persistent issue, with 23% of workers reporting that they have experienced some form of violence or harassment during their careers. Psychological violence is the most common, affecting 18% of workers.

The report defines the psychosocial working environment as encompassing job design, organisational practices, and workplace interactions, all of which influence employee wellbeing and organisational performance. It notes that evolving work trends—including digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and the rise of remote and platform-based work—are reshaping how work is organised and managed. While these developments offer opportunities for flexibility and efficiency, they may also intensify psychosocial risks if not properly managed.

Despite growing awareness, the integration of psychosocial considerations into occupational safety and health (OSH) frameworks remains limited. Only 18% of cross-border labour agreements between 2000 and 2025 explicitly address mental health or psychosocial risks. However, momentum is building, with 37% of surveyed institutions indicating plans to strengthen data collection and monitoring of these risks within the next five years.

The ILO emphasises that effective prevention requires a comprehensive approach addressing three key areas: the nature of the job itself, how work is organised and managed, and broader organisational policies and systems. Risk assessment is identified as a critical tool, involving the identification of hazards, evaluation of exposure, and implementation of preventive measures.

Importantly, the report stresses that prevention should prioritise organisational changes rather than relying solely on individual coping strategies. Measures such as improving workload management, enhancing role clarity, fostering supportive leadership, and strengthening worker participation are seen as essential to reducing risks at their source.

Looking ahead, the ILO calls for stronger research, more coherent regulatory frameworks, and greater workplace-level action. It highlights the need for harmonised data, clearer legislation, and improved collaboration between governments, employers, and workers.

As the nature of work continues to evolve, the report concludes that addressing psychosocial risks will be critical not only for safeguarding worker health but also for sustaining productivity and economic resilience.

Industrial Insights

Details: Sania Aziz; Industrial Insights

Topic: Technology
Region: North America
Date: 22nd April 2026
Year: 2026

A new study by Berg Insight highlights continued expansion in the market for connected lone worker safety solutions across Europe, North America, and Australia & New Zealand, with steady gains expected through the end of the decade.

In 2025, the market reached an estimated value of €171mn in Europe and €95mn in North America, while Australia & New Zealand accounted for €42mn. These figures are forecast to rise to €251mn and €146mn respectively by 2030, with the Australia & New Zealand segment projected to climb to €59mn.

User adoption is also on the rise. The total number of lone worker safety solution users across the three regions reached approximately 2.5mn by the end of 2025. Europe leads in scale, with its user base expected to expand from 1.4mn to more than 2.2mn by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 9.2%. North America is set to grow at a slightly faster pace of 10%, increasing from 685,000 users to around 1.1mn over the same period. Meanwhile, Australia & New Zealand is forecast to reach 520,000 users by 2030, up from 350,000.

The market is characterised by a diverse supplier landscape, encompassing hardware manufacturers, software developers, and service providers offering monitoring and emergency response. However, only a limited number of vendors deliver fully integrated, end-to-end solutions. Many of the most established companies are headquartered in the UK, Canada and Australia, which also represent the largest regional markets.

Among leading providers, Peoplesafe holds a strong position in Europe, with a subscriber base of around 375,000. In Australia, Duress dominates the market, while Canadian firms such as Aware360, Blackline Safety and Tsunami Solutions are key players. In the United States, companies including AlertMedia and Becklar are prominent.

Growth is being driven by several factors, including stricter workplace safety regulations, rising costs linked to employee injury and absenteeism, and greater awareness of the risks faced by lone workers. Organisations are also increasingly recognising the operational efficiencies that such systems can deliver, particularly through improved monitoring and response capabilities.

While mobile app-based solutions continue to gain traction, adoption has moderated slightly in recent years. Employers operating in high-risk sectors still tend to favour dedicated safety devices, which are often perceived as more reliable in critical situations.

Despite intensifying competition and pricing pressures, the sector is evolving. Vendors are exploring new ways to differentiate their offerings, particularly through the integration of data analytics and artificial intelligence. These innovations are expected to enhance predictive safety measures, allowing organisations to identify and mitigate risks before incidents occur.

As awareness and regulatory demands continue to increase, the lone worker safety market is expected to maintain a strong growth trajectory, underpinned by both technological advancement and a heightened focus on workforce protection.

Industrial Insights

Details: Industrial Insights

Topic: HSE
Region: Middle East
Date: 20th April 2026
Year: 2026

Bahrain has taken a fresh step towards improving workplace safety as its Occupational Safety and Health Council convened its first meeting following a recent restructuring.

The session was led by Yousif bin Abdulhussain Khalaf, who holds the roles of Minister of Labour and Minister of Legal Affairs, setting a clear tone for stronger direction and commitment.

Opening the meeting, the chairman welcomed members and shared confidence in the council’s ability to raise safety standards across the country. Discussions focused on reviewing its responsibilities and reinforcing ongoing national efforts to create safer and healthier working environments for all sectors.

One of the key points raised was the study of the midday work ban during the summer. This measure is especially important in Bahrain’s climate, where high temperatures can pose serious risks to outdoor workers. Members carefully looked at the findings and recommendations, highlighting the country’s continued focus on protecting workers from harsh conditions. The council also discussed plans to work closely with the Ministry of Labour to organise the Sixth National Occupational Safety and Health Conference and Exhibition.

The council brings together voices from across society, including government authorities, trade unions, private companies, and civil groups. This wide representation reflects a shared responsibility in building stronger safety practices and ensuring that standards are applied across different industries.

Beyond reviewing current efforts, the council plays an important role in shaping future policies. It contributes to the development of regulations, updates legislation, and works to align Bahrain’s safety standards with global practices. This approach ensures that the country remains in step with international expectations.

Raising awareness is another major focus. The council is working to improve workplace monitoring while also developing training programmes to build local expertise. By setting clear professional standards, it aims to create lasting improvements in how safety is managed.

Overall, this meeting signals a renewed and practical commitment by Bahrain to protect its workforce and strengthen its occupational health system for the years ahead.

Industrial Insights

Details: Sania Aziz; Industrial Insights

Topic: HSE
Region: Middle East
Date: 15th April 2026
Year: 2026

Tadweer Group has recorded more than 200 consecutive days without a lost time injury across all its operations in Abu Dhabi.

The impressive safety record covers over 13 million man-hours worked by around 8,500 people, including the company’s own staff, subsidiary teams and external service providers.

Activities stretch across Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra and Al Ain, making the achievement particularly noteworthy in a large, dispersed waste and environmental services network.

This milestone reflects the effectiveness of the group’s ongoing safety strategy, led by its TadweerSafe 3.0 programme.

The initiative has introduced digital tools that strengthen hazard detection and allow instant reporting of concerns, enabling faster and more consistent action across every site.

A behaviour-based safety scheme has further supported the effort by building stronger awareness and encouraging safe practices at all levels of the workforce.

The foundation of these measures lies in Tadweer Group’s ten Life Saving Rules, which focus on the most critical risks and are included in mandatory training for every employee and contractor during onboarding and refresher sessions.

Hussain Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of Tadweer Environmental Services and Solutions and Executive Director of Crisis Management at Tadweer Group, said: “This milestone is the result of every team member treating safety as a shared priority in their daily work. The systems and standards we have developed provide a solid platform, and safety has truly become our standard way of operating. We stay committed to our goal of an injury-free workplace.”

The company’s health, safety and environment management system is certified to ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 standards, and complies with the Abu Dhabi Occupational Safety and Health System Framework.This sustained performance highlights a proactive, well-structured approach to protecting people in a demanding industry.

Industrial Insights

Details: Sania Aziz; Industrial Insights

Date: 14th April 2026
Year: 2026

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Industrial

Details: shivani dhruv; Industrial

Topic: Industrial
Region: Middle East
Date: 13th April 2026
Year: 2026

In the rapidly evolving telecommunications sector, where infrastructure, technology, and people are deeply interconnected, a strong health and safety (H&S) culture is essential. Vodafone Qatar places significant emphasis on building a resilient, proactive approach to safety, positioning it as a key driver of operational excellence and employee well-being.

Across its corporate offices and retail outlets, Vodafone Qatar has developed a structured H&S framework that extends beyond basic compliance. The company fosters a culture where safety is embedded into everyday operations and business practices. Its leadership actively drives safety initiatives, supported by strict risk management systems and ongoing employee training and wellbeing programmes, positioning the organisation as a benchmark for occupational safety in the industry.

Vodafone Qatar continues to advance its health and safety agenda through focused programmes centred on regulatory compliance, risk management, employee and contractor engagement, and overall health and wellbeing. Its structured approach ensures a safe working environment for employees, contractors, and visitors alike.

The company regularly conducts Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA) to proactively address potential risks, alongside internal safety audits to ensure continuous compliance with established protocols.

Vodafone Qatar adheres to both international and local regulations, as well as Vodafone Group’s global safety standards.

Employees and partners are guided by Vodafone’s internal '8 Absolute Safety Rules,' which cover critical areas such as safe driving, electrical safety, working near underground and overhead utilities, working at heights, and handling hazardous substances, ensuring a strict, zero-compromise approach to safety.

Vodafone Qatar has also recently recieved the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO 45001:2018) Occupational Health and Safety Management Certification. This recognition reflects its strong performance in leadership, planning, operational control, and continuous improvement, supported by a deeply rooted safety culture.

Employee involvement remains central to the company’s safety strategy. Vodafone Qatar promotes active participation through learning and development initiatives and ongoing cultural engagement. A comprehensive training programme includes mandatory 'Doing What’s Right' (DWR) sessions, onboarding inductions, and emergency preparedness training such as fire marshal duties, basic life support, and first aid. The company conducted 18 health and safety activities involving around 1,000 employees.

Wellbeing is also a key focus area, with initiatives addressing both mental and physical health. Regular health seminars cover topics such as stress management and nutrition, while CSR initiatives include flu vaccination drives and blood donation campaigns. Internal sports activities such as padel, football, and cricket further encourage physical fitness.

Vodafone Qatar also integrates digital safety technologies for real-time monitoring and reporting, alongside ongoing workplace assessments to reduce risks and prevent long-term injuries, reinforcing its commitment to a safe and healthy work environment.

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Industrial Insights

Industrial Insights

NEBOSH updates entry-level health and safety award

British Safety Council appoints three new trustees

ILO urges action on workplace psychosocial risks

The neuroscience behind competence, complacency and human factors

Critical error reduction techniques

Access the webinar

Psychosocial risks linked to 840,000 annual deaths, says ILO

Lone worker safety tech market set for steady growth

Bahrain strengthens workplace safety with revamped Council

Tadweer Group marks 200 days without lost time injury

Straighter lines in less time, from Brady solutions

Vodafone Qatar strengthens workplace health and safety culture

Doka delivers safe formwork systems for Azizi Venice project

Bahrain limits public sector office attendance to half of staff

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