Industrial Insights
Industrial Insights
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Fire Safety
- Topic: Fire Safety
- Date: 2024-11-12 10:04:58
- Year: 2024
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently participated in the 4th International Fire Operations Conference (IFOC), held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 3-7 November.
The conference explored emerging trends and technologies in fire prevention, safety protocols, emergency response, and crisis management.
Bringing together thought leaders, practitioners, and innovators from around the globe, the event provided participants with cutting-edge insights, strategies, and best practices to address current challenges in fire operations.
With 130 years of expertise in fire safety, encompassing wildfire preparedness, electrical safety, hazardous materials management, community risk reduction, and public safety, NFPA played a pivotal role as a technical partner. Collaborating with its IFOC committee members, NFPA helped shape the conference theme, agenda, and speaker lineup.
NFPA representatives, including Dana Kamal, actively contributed to the event through workshops and panel discussions on critical topics such as “NFPA Codes & Standards: How to Use Them Effectively,” “Critical Issue of Fires in Buildings Under Construction,” and “Future of Safety: AR & VR Interactive Workshop.” Attendees also benefited from insights on preparing for the Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) Certification using the new Fire Protection Handbook (FPH).
NFPA’s participation in the 4th IFOC underscored its commitment to advancing fire and life safety standards in the Middle East. By fostering collaboration with regional leaders and innovators, NFPA continues to champion global best practices, paving the way for safer communities and more resilient infrastructure across Saudi Arabia and beyond.
“With over 300 codes and standards, and recognised globally for our innovative research, professional training, public education, outreach, and advocacy, NFPA is honoured to share its expertise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the 4th International Fire Operations Conference. We aspire to collaborate with leaders across the health and safety sectors to uphold the highest standards and create a future where everyone is safe, both at home and in the workplace,” said Dana Kamal, director of international business development, MENA at NFPA.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Industrial
- Topic: Industrial
- Date: 2024-11-11 10:37:16
- Year: 2024
Niftylift has unveiled ClipOn, a retrofittable safety device that offers access platform operators clear visual and audible cues to connect their harnesses before operating machinery.
Designed for Niftylift’s entire HeightRider range, ClipOn activates as soon as the key switch is turned on, alerting operators if they attempt to operate without securing their harness.
Red LED lights above connection points indicate an unfastened harness, and an alarm will sound if the operator tries to move the machine without proper attachment. Once the harness is secured, the LEDs turn green and the alarm ceases, ensuring a clear signal of safety compliance.
Reducing injuries
ClipOn’s visibility extends to ground teams with under-basket LEDs, signalling whether the operator is harnessed correctly, reinforcing safety protocols on-site.
The system integrates seamlessly into both new and existing Niftylift fleets and instals with ease using only three components—the control box, harness sensor, and light array. Its operation is intuitive, similar to seat belt alert systems in vehicles, making adoption straightforward for operators.
Effective safety protocols are essential, especially in high-risk sectors like working at height, where falls are a leading cause of workplace injuries.
Systems like ClipOn, with its simple yet powerful reminders, provide critical assurance for operators, managers, and site owners. ClipOn not only enhances safety but also simplifies inspection and compliance checks, offering a streamlined and unobtrusive safety solution that sets a new standard in access platform safety.
“Working at height inevitably involves risks, with falls being one of the most frequent causes of workplace injuries. That’s why ClipOn is crucial. Safety shouldn’t be complicated, and by ensuring every operator is securely harnessed before operating the machine, we’re making a simple but significant move towards eliminating the risk of falls from height,” said John Keely, managing director at Niftylift.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- ESG
- Topic: ESG
- Date: 2024-11-08 09:44:09
- Year: 2024
Caterpillar Safety Services has introduced "MindShift for Leaders," a five-session training programme aimed at equipping leaders with the principles of human and organisational performance (HOP) to drive safer workplaces.
Designed as a virtual series, the sessions guide participants to rethink and adjust their approaches to leading and managing safety, encouraging a shift in mindset toward more resilient safety cultures.
"MindShift for Leaders" moves beyond traditional safety management methods, which often rely on policies and processes based on managerial assumptions rather than on the realities of how work is actually performed. The programme leverages HOP principles as a foundation to build error-tolerant systems, fostering open discussions around safety and supporting organisations in creating adaptive safety cultures that account for human variability and build resilience.
“Expecting perfection from workers is not realistic, and traditional methods of managing safety do not account for factors that can disrupt a system. A human and organisational performance mindset does not manage the incident itself but assists organisations with building more error-tolerant safety systems that allow people to stay safe, even when they make a mistake," said Zach Knoop, manager at Caterpillar Safety Services.
Five HOP principles
Human and Organisational Performance (HOP) promotes a mindset built on understanding human behaviour, communication, and responses in the workplace. Rather than following a strict process, it encourages organisations to create error-tolerant systems that drive learning and improvement without focusing on blame.
Caterpillar Safety Services’ “MindShift for Leaders” programme comprises five 90-minute virtual sessions, each centred around core HOP principles. The programme teaches that errors are inevitable and that protecting workers means designing systems that can withstand mistakes. Rather than assigning blame, the focus shifts to identifying and addressing organisational weaknesses that contribute to incidents. HOP also highlights that behaviours are driven by context; understanding the environment in which actions occur can reveal the real drivers behind decisions. Leaders are encouraged to create a culture of learning by valuing insights from workers who are closest to the job, promoting a flow of ideas that can prevent incidents and improve practices. Finally, the way leaders respond to mistakes has a profound impact on team morale, and the programme instills the importance of empathy and emotional intelligence in leadership.
“MindShift for Leaders” aligns with Caterpillar Safety Services' vision of a Resilient Safety Culture, underpinned by the principles of Mindset, System, Ownership, and Leadership, providing leaders with tools to foster safer, more resilient workplaces.
- Details
- Robert Daniels
- Fire Safety
- Topic: Fire Safety
- Date: 2024-11-07 09:18:26
- Year: 2024
International, a protective coating brand of AkzoNobel, has introduced the next evolution in epoxy passive fire protection (PFP)
Chartek ONE has been introduced as a single-coat, mesh-free solution that simplifies PFP application for assets in the energy sector by maximising efficiency, streamlining installation processes and enhancing health and safety.
As a 100% solids, boron-free two-pack material, Chartek ONE provides enhanced durability and combined corrosion, cryogenic and hydrocarbon protection. It provides three hours of jet and pool fire protection across a wide operating temperature range, effectively shielding assets from all fire types.
Chartek ONE can accelerate installation of PFP systems both in the workshop and onsite, lowering installed weight, reducing labour and material costs whilst achieving the same fire protection, which is particularly important for industries with strict weight requirements, such as offshore oil and gas. In doing so, Chartek ONE can reduce workshop hours by up to 59%, saving users both time and money throughout projects and over the lifetime of the asset.
Introduced for customers in the Middle East, Chartek ONE availability in other regions is planned for 2025.
Benefitting from technical experience
“Chartek stands at the forefront of the industry, offering a comprehensive range of solutions that reflect our heritage and track record of success,” remarked Robin Wade, global fire protection manager at AkzoNobel. “Our investment in research, development and PFP capabilities enable us to provide our customers with the best possible outcomes.
“Chartek ONE was developed in our Felling facility which is one of the world’s largest UKAS-accredited PFP testing centers for intumescent PFP. Patented polysiloxane modified thio-ether and epoxy technology resolves many of the pain points found in the provision and longevity of epoxy PFP in one simple solution. International is a dedicated partner and through the celebrated history of Chartek, we are committed to excellence in technical support, product specific engineering solutions, and delivering class-leading products.”
Chartek benefits from a presence in the industry spanning more than half a century. As passive fire protection, it excels in the most demanding conditions and the range is one of the world's most complete portfolio of epoxy intumescent PFP coatings available, according to the company.
Formulated and tested against critical industry standards for energy assets including NORSOK M-501:2022 Edition 7 and ISO 22899 (standard and high heat flux jet fires), Chartek ONE is free from boron and has a 100% solids formula to reduce occupational risks and improve HSE performance and footprint.
“We are thrilled to be introducing Chartek ONE for our Middle East customers at ADIPEC 2024,” added Andy Holt, business development manager - Middle East at International. “Crafted to offer our customers superior safety, reliability, and peace of mind, Chartek ONE showcases our continued dedication to sustainability and innovation.
“This single-coat, mesh-free solution will drastically simplify PFP projects for our customers, minimizing downtime and reducing overall project costs. Our commitment to considering the environmental impact of our work is an integral part of the development process. Chartek ONE’s 100% solids, boron-free formula, stands as a testament to this commitment.”
- Details
- Robert Daniels
- HSE
- Date: 2024-11-07 08:53:45
- Year: 2024
Larry Wilson, author and CEO, SafeStart, looks at how neuroscience aligns with critical error reduction techniques
As we continue our series on Paradigm Shifts in safety (if you haven’t yet, catch up at https://ae.safestart.com/paradigm-shifts/), we encourage you to dive into the seventh article of the twelve-part series.
In the last issue, we discussed the concept of self-triggering; the importance of learning how to self-trigger quickly, or at least quickly enough to prevent making a critical error, which means that we must train the sub-conscious mind. Now, to a certain extent, we have already discussed the importance of involving or using the sub-conscious mind to prevent injuries when we talked about developing good habits with eyes on task, so that if or when your mind goes off task, you’ll still, most likely, get the benefit of your reflexes.
Habits and reflexes are not things we are deciding to do in the moment with our conscious mind. They are both sub-conscious. All this is where the neuroscience comes in. Until recently (last 10 years or so) scientists and psychologists could speculate as to what part of the brain was being used. But it wasn’t until FMRI’s that they could prove it. And I think that it’s interesting how the neuroscience and the Critical Error Reduction Techniques (CERTs) are aligned or how the neuroscience supports or validates the CERTs. But my dad, who is an engineer, was unimpressed. When I explained it to him, he said that it was one of the best examples of, “Locking the door after the horse has got out” he’d ever heard.
So, he’s got a point. But it’s still pretty interesting. And it is science which always helps when dealing with sceptics. So, we’re going to get into at least a bit of it as we go through all four CERTs. Two of which we have discussed already: work on habits, or work on improving your safety-related habits and self-triggering on the states (rushing, frustration, fatigue) so you don’t make a critical error. And obviously, this has to happen quickly.
Even if it’s only a split-second too late, it’s still too late. And to get close to reflex speed, we need to use the sub-conscious mind. The conscious mind just isn’t quick enough. Ironically, training the sub-conscious mind—isn’t quick—and when you think about learning arithmetic, it wasn’t always exciting either. To give you an example of speed, repetition, and the power of the sub-conscious mind, just answer the following question as quickly as you can: What is 3 x 4? You probably already have the answer in your head before you read it here. It’s 12. That’s how quick your sub-conscious mind is. But how many repetitions did it take to get that quick—so you didn’t have to process anything? And very reliable: almost impossible to get it wrong… now try quickly 13 x 14.
To find out the answer to the last question (without checking your calculator) and explore how the neuroscience behind Critical Error Reduction Techniques aligns with safety practices, continue reading the full article clicking here. Stay with us as we delve deeper into the power of the subconscious mind and its role in preventing critical errors.
Scan the QR Code below to read the article in its entirety:
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Industrial
- Topic: Industrial
- Date: 2024-10-31 12:35:32
- Year: 2024
CS Combustion Solutions recently enhanced the capacity and efficiency of a sulfuric acid production plant located in Africa’s Copperbelt region, where demand for sulfuric acid is crucial in mining applications such as leaching copper and cobalt
Faced with growing demand, the plant needed to increase production while reducing operational costs and improving reliability. Through targeted improvements, CS increased daily production from 2,200 to 3,000 tons and optimised the plant’s overall performance.
Challenges before optimisation
Prior to the upgrade, the plant faced several challenges, including incomplete combustion, which led to sulfur droplets fouling downstream equipment like the waste heat boiler (WHB) and catalyst beds, increasing system pressure and requiring frequent shutdowns for maintenance. Clogging issues with conventional pressure atomisers resulted in frequent, costly nozzle replacements, while poor droplet atomisation caused hotspots in the refractory lining, increasing wear and reducing reliability.
Key measures implemented
CS Combustion Solutions tackled these issues with the following measures:
1. Ultrasonic atomisation: Replacing pressure atomisers with ultrasonic nozzles reduced droplet size from 400 to 110 µm, which minimised fouling, improved combustion, and protected the refractory lining from localised heat.
2. Swirl bodies: Introducing swirl bodies created rotational motion in the combustion air, enhancing flame formation and leading to more efficient sulfur combustion.
3. VectorWall installation: Replacing the plant’s original baffle walls with a VectorWall improved mixing within the combustion chamber, reduced hotspots, and prevented unreacted sulfur carryover to downstream components.
4. CFD analysis: A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) study simulated and optimized the modifications prior to implementation, ensuring targeted performance improvements.
Results and benefits
With these enhancements, the plant boosted production capacity by 30%, enabling 40 tons of sulfur incineration per hour. The new configuration allows maintenance of sulfur guns without stopping operations, reducing downtime and saving US$160,000 annually by decreasing pressure drop. Additionally, precise ultrasonic atomisation prevented sulfur buildup on the refractory, extending its lifespan.
This case study highlights the importance of innovative combustion technologies and detailed pre-implementation analysis, offering valuable insights for facilities facing similar challenges in optimising sulfuric acid production.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Industrial
- Topic: Industrial
- Date: 2024-10-30 12:32:56
- Year: 2024
Halliburton has launched SandTrap XL consolidation service for sand control, a chemical resin consolidation technology to stop the production of formation sand
SandTrap XL sand control service employs an externally activated, low-viscosity resin system that provides consolidation strength to the formation grains without compromising rock permeability. Unlike internally activated resin systems, there are no restrictions on pumping or activation time to allow treatment of longer intervals.
The SandTrap XL system excels in the treatment of high-clay content minerology up to 25% and adapts to various formation mineralogies. It provides thermal stability above 550°F (287°C). This allows it to control sand in heavy oil reservoirs under enhanced oil recovery methods, such as steam flooding. As part of Halliburton’s portfolio of remedial solutions, SandTrap XL mitigates solids production, including formation sand and fines migration. This approach helps ensure the long-term stability and productivity of oil wells to address the needs of operators in diverse geological environments.
“Excessive sand production remains an issue in our industry,” said Luke Holderman, vice president, Production Solutions and Pipeline & Process Services. “SandTrap XL empowers our customers to maximise asset value through enhanced well performance and extended asset life. Through customised chemical consolidation, SandTrap XL provides a reliable solution for mature fields and unconsolidated reservoirs to ensure long-term productivity and efficiency.”
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Industrial
- Topic: Industrial
- Date: 2024-10-29 12:29:35
- Year: 2024
Eni and BP have resumed their exploration activities in Libya after halting drilling operations in the onshore region in 2014, according to Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC)
This follows the formal revocation of force majeure status by Eni and NOC in August 2023 on exploration areas A&B (onshore) and C (offshore), where Eni is operator with 42.5% along with bp (42.5%) and Libya Investment Authority (15%), as a result of a favourable security assessment. Some of these areas are close to the Wafa gas facilities that export production to Italy.
On October 26, Eni began its exploration activities in the Area B (96/3) of Ghadames Basin, where the first exploratory well, A1-96/3 (Hasheem Prospect), was drilled. This well is the first under the contractual obligations for Area B in Ghadames Basin, according to the Fourth Bid Round Contract of 2007. Mellitah Oil & Gas, which has extensive experience in the region, particularly in developing and managing the Wafa field, is overseeing the drilling operations and all related activities for this well.
Several promising geological formations in the A1-96/3 well are set to be tested, which are expected to contain both oil and gas. The well is projected to reach a final depth of approximately 3,147 m.
The A1-96/3 well is located around 35 km from the Wafa field and approximately 650 km from the capital, Tripoli.
Eni is the leading international gas producer in Libya, where it has been operating since 1959, and currently has a large portfolio of assets in exploration, production and development. Production activities are operated through the joint venture company Mellitah Oil and Gas BV (Eni 50%, NOC 50%).
Repsol and OMV are also set to restart operations sin the Murzuq Basin and Sirte Basin respectively, NOC says.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- HSE
- Date: 2024-10-28 12:03:12
- Year: 2024
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has successfully completed its Safety in Heat campaign, aimed at ensuring compliance with the summer midday work ban for all companies operating in the energy sector.
This regulation, which prohibits outdoor work under direct sunlight from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm, was in effect from 15 June to 15 September 2024, enhancing worker safety during the hottest months.
Throughout the campaign, the DoE’s Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Department conducted numerous inspection visits to sites in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
These inspections focused on educating workers, employers, and supervisors on the importance of adhering to the work ban and implementing best practices to minimise heat stress risks. As part of these efforts, companies were encouraged to provide shaded rest areas, fans, ample water, hydration salts, and essential first-aid equipment.
Engineer Abdul Rahman Al Alawi, Director of the HSE Department, underscored the importance of the campaign, noting that it not only reinforced adherence to safety standards but also highlighted essential measures to protect workers from heat-related illnesses. Al Alawi praised the cooperation from various entities and thanked teams involved in promoting worker safety, recognising the campaign’s role in fostering a safe work environment.
The DoE’s campaign included 2,139 internal workshops and 5,056 awareness sessions, reaching approximately 37,759 workers across the sector. Over 7,276 informational brochures were distributed, while social media platforms, videos, text messages, and emails helped deliver more than 3,800 safety messages, benefiting a total of 40,828 workers. Furthermore, 3,943 inspection visits were carried out, verifying compliance with established safety standards.
- Details
- Louise Waters
- HSE
- Date: 2024-10-25 14:57:30
- Year: 2024
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
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Fire Safety
- Topic: Fire Safety
- Date: 2024-10-23 13:48:54
- Year: 2024
The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, in collaboration with Core42, a G42 company specialising in sovereign cloud, AI infrastructure, and digital services, has unveiled an advanced digital portal aimed at improving fire and life safety standards across the emirate.
The portal allows the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, building owners, and maintenance companies to register, manage, and update safety protocols in real time. Developed as part of the Hassantuk programme by Core42, the new system enhances safety for residents by reducing property damage and accelerating emergency response times.
This innovative solution not only improves safety but also streamlines operational efficiency for maintenance firms and property owners, enabling them to monitor and maintain safety standards more effectively.
Introduced in 2018 by the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, the Hassantuk programme requires the installation of fire detection devices and integration with the civil defence electronic system in residential and public buildings. The new digital portal, developed by Core42, strengthens this initiative by connecting buildings directly to a command centre, ensuring faster verification and response to fire incidents.
Establising a command centre
The command centre offers essential real-time insights into fire and life safety performance, enabling operators to identify non-compliant buildings, monitor maintenance companies' performance, and ensure transparency in the fulfilment of maintenance contracts.
This contributes significantly to enhancing community safety. The platform includes features such as real-time fault reporting, automated updates, and preventive maintenance tracking, creating a clear communication channel between building owners, maintenance companies, and Civil Defence. This ensures prompt action to address and prevent any safety issues.
Colonel Dr. Engineer Faisal Hassan Al-Qahtani, acting director of the Civil Protection Department, added, "The Hassantuk program has registered over 35,000 buildings in Abu Dhabi, significantly mitigating fire and life risks. With the new smart solution, we can now access real-time data, detect false alarms, and proactively monitor property maintenance, further enhancing safety in a controlled manner. This underscores Abu Dhabi’s commitment to leading in digital solutions that improve the well-being of its residents.”
"We are proud to deliver this state-of-the-art digital solution to the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority and help advance fire and life safety standards in the Emirate," said Yousef Al Harmoodi, chief business development officer, Core42 and general manager, Hassantuk. “Core42 is committed to advancing the digital ambitions of the UAE. Through this portal and command center, we aim to empower the Civil Defence team to monitor compliance, ensure service-level agreements are met, and track maintenance activities in real time. This collaboration reflects Core42’s commitment to driving the nation's vision forward, and positioning Abu Dhabi as a global leader in smart city initiatives."
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- HSE
- Date: 2024-10-22 09:58:46
- Year: 2024
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.”