Industrial Insights
Industrial Insights
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- ESG
- Topic: ESG
- Date: 12 June, 2024
- Year: 2024
In preparation for the upcoming Eid al Adha festival, South Batinah Municipality in Muscat has launched several awareness campaigns to ensure the health and safety of the community.
According to a statement released by the municipality, various departments in the governorate have implemented programmes aimed at raising awareness and preventing potential health hazards.
In Rustaq, the civic body has been distributing informational leaflets to citizens, highlighting the importance of using designated slaughterhouses for sacrificial animals and properly handling sacrificial waste.
Meanwhile, specialists from the municipality in Musannah have conducted inspection visits to restaurants, cafes, and food stores to assess compliance with health regulations.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- HSE
- Topic: HSE
- Date: 11 June, 2024
- Year: 2024
Al Habtoor Group, a leading UAE business conglomerate, has reached a significant safety milestone at its landmark Dubai project, Al Habtoor Tower.
The project has achieved a record two million working hours without any Occupational Safety and Health recordable injuries, a remarkable feat accomplished by China Railway 18th Bureau Group.
This milestone underscores the company's unwavering commitment to safety and excellence in project execution, as highlighted in a company statement.
The project's safety record over the past ten months is being hailed as a significant global achievement. Chairman Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor praised the Chinese group for their accomplishment, noting that achieving two million accident-free man-hours is a testament to the strong safety culture fostered by both Al Habtoor Group and China Railway 18th Bureau Group.
The Al Habtoor Tower project, one of the region's most significant construction endeavours, is setting a new benchmark for safe construction practices. This achievement reaffirms the group's commitment to prioritising safety, health, and well-being while delivering projects that meet the highest international standards.
"This is truly a world-class achievement that speaks volumes about the dedication of every team member involved and reflects the commitment of our partners at China Railway 18th Bureau Group to prioritising safety in every daily task," Al Habtoor added.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Training
- Topic: Training
- Date: 10 June, 2024
- Year: 2024
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and NEBOSH launched a new one-day qualification aimed at managing and controlling stress in the workplace.
Figures from the HSE indicate that stress, depression, or anxiety were the primary causes of work-related ill health in 2021/22, accounting for 17 million lost working days. Work-related stress can be triggered by six main factors: demands, control, support, relationships, role, and change.
Employers have a legal duty to safeguard employees from stress at work by conducting risk assessments and implementing necessary measures. The new NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Managing Stress at Work equips managers with the knowledge to identify and mitigate workplace stressors proactively.
HSE’s Working Minds Campaign
Throughout April, the HSE has been advocating for employers to adopt five straightforward steps to prevent and reduce workplace stress. These steps, encapsulated in the 5 Rs, are: reaching out and having conversations with employees to discuss their stressors and concerns, recognising the signs and causes of stress in the workplace, responding to any risks identified by taking action to address and mitigate them, reflecting on the effectiveness of the measures implemented, and making stress management a routine part of regular workplace practices.
The course is based on the HSE's current methodology for managing and controlling work-related stress. It provides an overview of the fundamental principles of work-related stress and its link to mental health issues. The course targets individuals responsible for employee wellbeing or managing workplace stress, including health and safety professionals, HR professionals, occupational health professionals, line managers, and supervisors.
By offering this qualification, HSE and NEBOSH aim to empower organisations to foster healthier work environments and reduce the prevalence of stress-related illnesses, ensuring better mental health and productivity for employees.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Fire Safety
- Topic: Fire Safety
- Date: 7 June, 2024
- Year: 2024
Last month, the IFSJ Leaders in Fire & Safety Conference, in association with Reacton Fire Suppression, welcomed senior professionals to the Grosvenor House Hotel, Dubai Marina, UAE.
The attendees, comprising influential decision-makers in the field, experienced an immersive event featuring expert presentations and engaging panel sessions.
These sessions addressed the most pressing issues currently faced by leaders in the fire and safety sector, including emerging technology, health and wellbeing, hazardous materials, equality and diversity, leadership strategies, and crisis management.
The conference has garnered widespread acclaim for its commitment to delivering high-quality content, thoroughly exploring the challenges that concern fire and safety leaders.
The event commenced with an engaging networking session in the Windsor Ballroom of this waterfront venue.
A highlight of the morning was a keynote address by Colonel Expert Abdul Rahman Abdul Nour Beshalat, Director of Smart Systems at Dubai Civil Defense.
His presence and insights underscored the conference’s importance and enriched the dialogue on regional fire and safety challenges.
Dubai Civil Defense (DCD), the emergency management organisation in Dubai, UAE, has been an invaluable strategic partner since the first conference in 2023.
With over 35 esteemed delegates in attendance, this organisation has been at the forefront of safeguarding lives, protecting properties, and preserving the environment in Dubai since its establishment in 1976.
In addition to the educational sessions, the conference provided an ideal platform for the industry’s luminaries to converge and interact.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Fire Safety
- Topic: Fire Safety
- Date: 6 June, 2024
- Year: 2024
Liban Cables, a Nexans company and a leading provider of advanced cabling systems, solutions, and innovative services, reaffirmed its commitment to electrical fire safety in buildings during its participation in the Project Lebanon and Made in Lebanon 2024 exhibitions.
At the Project Lebanon exhibition, Liban Cables participated in panel discussions with representatives from public and private organisations, including the Order of Engineers and Architects (OEA), the Lebanese Standards Association (LIBNOR), and the Government Capital Civil Planning Department. Liban Cables provided valuable insights on critical issues related to building safety in the region.
Following recent seismic activity, the second panel focused on reducing electrical fire hazards in earthquake-prone regions. Liban Cables emphasised the importance of proactive measures, such as using Low Fire Hazard (LFH) cables, which are designed to contain fires and minimise smoke and hazardous emissions, thereby enhancing fire safety in high-risk areas.
Counterfeit cables
After their insightful participation at the Project Lebanon exhibition, Liban Cables continued their commitment to electrical fire safety at the Made in Lebanon 2024 exhibition. They showcased their latest innovations and raised awareness about critical issues such as electrical safety and the risks posed by counterfeit cables.
At Made in Lebanon 2024, Liban Cables highlighted the dangers of electrical fires caused by counterfeit cables, raising crucial awareness on this issue. Through live demonstrations, the technical team showed attendees the significant differences between genuine and fake cables. The fake cables burned more readily, dramatically increasing the risk of electrical fires. This demonstration underscored the urgent need for vigilance against counterfeit cables and the importance of verifying product authenticity.
Engaging with visitors, the Liban Cables team provided insights into the market landscape and delivered an informative presentation on electrical safety. The presentation focused on protecting individuals, families, and buildings from the threat of fires.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Fire Safety
- Topic: Fire Safety
- Date: 5 June, 2024
- Year: 2024
The UAE experienced a decrease in the total number of fires last year, although official figures revealed increases in specific categories, particularly residential fires and major incidents.
According to the Ministry of Interior, civil defence teams responded to 2,473 fires last year, down from 3,000 in 2022. The majority of these incidents occurred in residential areas, with homes accounting for 1,636 fires, up from 1,385 the previous year.
The data did not include information on deaths or injuries. Among all recorded fires, 32 were classified as major, compared to 20 in 2022. Additionally, 57 fires were classified as medium, 1,309 as limited, and 12,075 as minor.
Commercial buildings experienced 293 fires, farms had 128, industrial properties 106, and public service buildings 97. Other areas, such as deserts, educational institutions, entertainment venues, government buildings, health centres, and tourist spots, saw an overall drop in incidents.
Breakdown by Emirate
Emergency services responded to 735 fires in Abu Dhabi last year, down from 860 the previous year. In the rest of the emirate, there were 578 incidents in Al Ain and 75 in Al Dhafra. Dubai dealt with 343 incidents, while Sharjah responded to 306 fires. Fujairah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al Quwain managed 165, 114, 111, and 46 blazes, respectively.
- Details
- Louise Waters
- Industrial
- Topic: Industrial
- Date: 4 June, 2024
- Year: 2024
Honeywell has opened its first assembly line dedicated to fire alarm and building management solutions in Saudi Arabia, in line with its strategy to increase localisation in the Kingdom in focus areas
The new facility in Dhahran will provide local and regional markets with Saudi-made products that meet the highest local and international industry standards and will boost the company’s building automation capabilities in the region. It will streamline the delivery process of world-class building automation and critical safety technologies, enabling faster and more efficient distribution of products to customers.
“Around the world, and especially within this region, we are seeing clear alignment between national visions and goals and the need for safer, efficient, smart and sustainable infrastructure,” said Phil Daniell, VP and GM of Honeywell - Business Automation in Middle East, Turkey and Africa. “Urban populations are increasing, and through automation technologies we are able to help cater to this expanded need while helping to tackle carbon emissions and driving efficiency through smarter and safer technology.”
Abdullah Al-Juffali, Honeywell country president of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, added, “This new facility not only enhances our capability to serve our customers with locally manufactured solutions, but also solidifies our commitment to contributing to the Kingdom’s industrial and technological advancements."
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Industrial
- Topic: Industrial
- Date: 3 June, 2024
- Year: 2024
The Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) recently held a meeting with human resources managers and executive directors from various government entities in the emirate.
Chaired by H.E. Abdullah Ali Bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of DGHR, the meeting took place at Al Ittihad Museum to introduce attendees to the department's major ongoing and proposed projects aimed at improving workforce efficiency and integrating best practices into the government’s work system.
During the meeting, the DGHR team highlighted several projects aligned with the department's agenda to upgrade human resources in Dubai and establish methodologies to empower the government workforce. One key project discussed was the initiative for Measuring Workforce Productivity in the Government of Dubai, which offers precise data and indicators on workforce productivity across government entities. This framework aims to evaluate performance and improve government sector efficiency, supporting the objectives of ‘We the UAE 2031’ and sustainable development goals.
Another focal point was the ‘Dubai Government Jobs Engineering’ project, designed to enhance human resource practices, including compensation and wages, learning and career development, and workforce planning. This project addresses current and future workforce needs of government entities. The meeting also covered the ‘Empowering Human Resources Departments in Government Entities’ project, which provides departments with resources to stay updated on workplace changes and improve HR professionals' skills through specialised training and best practice applications.
Future skills
The ‘General Framework for Government Human Resources Training - Future Skills Dubai’ project was discussed for its role in creating a competitive workforce equipped with skills for future changes, supporting digital transformation, and bolstering the UAE’s national economy. This project will connect training, advisory, and academic entities through a smart platform to facilitate knowledge exchange and improve training effectiveness.
The meeting also reviewed the ‘Human Resources Law, Policies, and Regulations’ project, which aims to develop a unified framework for integrated government human resource management. This project focuses on creating flexible policies based on modern best practices. Additionally, the ‘Financial Allocations Decision Review’ project was discussed to evaluate the competitiveness of compensation and allowances to attract and retain top talent.
H.E. Iman Bin Khatam, Director of Policy and Programme Support at DGHR, said, “At DGHR, we recognise the significance of cooperation, coordination, and collaborative efforts between the department and various stakeholders of Dubai government and this meeting comes in line with this belief. The key goal of the meeting is to enhance human resource capabilities in the emirate and swiftly attain the desired outcomes, further shaping a better future for this sector. We seek to adopt innovative approaches and integrate global best practices in our efforts to enhance the Emirati workforce as well as to support them to seamlessly adapt to rapid changes and meet future requirements. These ambitious projects aid us to establish a cohesive and supportive work environment that improves employee productivity, contributes attaining Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’ goals, and reinforces Dubai’s prominent position in the global economy.”
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- HSE
- Topic: HSE
- Date: 31 May, 2024
- Year: 2024
Engineer Majid Al Khumairi, Head of Training Institutes and Individuals Department at the Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority (SPSA), announced the launch of a new service called "Registration of Occupational Safety and Health Officers."
This service includes an online platform that allows applicants to obtain a registration certificate as safety and health officers in the Emirate of Sharjah.
Engineer Majid Al Khumairi stated that the authority aims to raise awareness and improve competency in occupational safety and health across the emirate. The service includes advanced training programs and specialised workshops held regularly to ensure the skills and knowledge of occupational safety and health officers in Sharjah remain current.
He emphasised that safety officers are responsible for overseeing facilities and institutions in the emirate and must comply with specific standards to ensure the highest levels of safety based on the risk and classification of the facility. The authority aims to provide full support to enable government and private entities to efficiently meet these requirements.
In conjunction with the new service, the authority has issued a guidebook for "Occupational Safety and Health Officers" that provides comprehensive information about the required qualification standards for officer registration according to the Sharjah Occupational Safety and Health System. The guide promotes compliance with local laws and guidelines to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.
Engineer Majid Al Khumairi added that government entities and private facilities classified under levels 3, 4, and 5 are required to appoint a registered safety and health officer through the authority. These entities can access the new guidebook and register for the service by visiting the website of the Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority, simplifying the compliance process and reinforcing preventive measures in the emirate.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Training
- Topic: Training
- Date: 30 May, 2024
- Year: 2024
The Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority (SPSA), in partnership with the Municipality of Al Dhaid, has launched an awareness campaign titled "Work Safety at Heights."
The campaign aims to improve safety practices for working at heights through specialised practical training programmes. These programmes include workshops led by expert specialists, focusing on safe practices for working on scaffolding, proper scaffold setup, and the correct use of safety equipment.
This initiative is part of the Prevention and Safety Authority's efforts to ensure worker safety in the Emirate of Sharjah. It targets all workers in the construction sector or those whose jobs require scaffold installation and usage. The campaign encourages all companies in the central region to provide necessary training to their employees and to register in the Sharjah Occupational Safety and Health System via the Authority's website, which is dedicated to ensuring minimum safety requirements at work sites.
His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority, emphasised the importance of such awareness campaigns and their vital role in achieving the Authority's vision of a safe, hazard-free community. He added that the campaign aims to meet the Emirate's future aspirations by raising awareness of fundamental procedures that ensure human protection, thereby enhancing worker safety, reducing workplace accidents and injuries, and preserving property.
This campaign addresses the growing need for a safe work environment and educates workers on the importance of following preventive measures to maintain their safety. The campaign will run for several weeks and will include various awareness activities such as distributing informative brochures, holding educational seminars, and organising field campaigns for inspection and awareness at different work sites. The Authority urges employers at construction sites to review the Scaffolding Guide OSHJ-GL-03 and the Mobile Scaffolding Guide OSHJ-GL-04 to understand the necessary safety requirements for working on scaffolding, ensuring the security and safety of workers.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Training
- Topic: Training
- Date: 29 May, 2024
- Year: 2024
The International SOS Foundation has announced the 2024 Duty of Care Awards & Summit, scheduled for 31 October 2024 in Sydney, Australia.
The event will bring together leading experts to discuss, debate, and share best practices while recognising organisations and individuals worldwide for their commitment to protecting the health, safety, security, and wellbeing of their global workforce. As organisations continue to navigate a changing risk environment, the theme of this year’s Awards is "Leading Change for a Re-Imagined Future."
This year’s Duty of Care Summit will feature industry experts discussing topics such as AI, climate resilience, geopolitical instability, workplace violence, diversity and inclusion, mental health and wellbeing, and travel and mobility trends.
Recognising that employees are the cornerstone of any successful business, organisations globally are prioritising their well-being and safety. The Middle East, emerging as a global business hub, is placing greater emphasis on fulfilling Duty of Care responsibilities. Businesses in the UAE and the broader Middle East are increasingly implementing measures to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of their workforce, which is essential for operational success and resilience.
Since 2016, the Awards have honoured outstanding organisations and individuals, including large technology companies, non-profits, airlines, financial services, and manufacturing firms.
Kai Boschmann, executive director of the International SOS Foundation said, “As a continuously rising risk environment puts pressure on organisations and executives to uphold their Duty of Care responsibilities, the purpose of the Summit & Awards could not be more pertinent. This year’s Duty of Care events look to reimagine the future of organisational resilience to bring positive change. We are pleased to have, again this year, received a high calibre of award entries spanning the globe. This will be our first ever International SOS Foundation Duty of Care Awards & Summit in Australia, a region with strong emphasis on health, safety, and security.”
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Industrial
- Topic: Industrial
- Date: 28 May, 2024
- Year: 2024
NMDC Group reinforced its commitment to the national industrial strategy through its gold sponsorship and active participation in the third edition of the Make It In The Emirates (MIITE) Forum, which took place from 27-28 May in Abu Dhabi.
The company’s dredging and marine (D&M) division showcased the D&M Dredging Academy, which delivers specialised training across various fields including soil mechanics, fluid mechanics, pipelines, survey techniques, land reclamation, nautical knowledge, health and safety, and project management.
Tech for safety
Additionally, NMDC Energy demonstrated a suite of innovations aimed at enhancing operational efficiencies, safety, and sustainability, while advancing digital transformation within the industry. The Connected Workers Solution, an AI-driven system, enables real-time safety monitoring and optimisation of yard operations. This technology is part of a broader initiative, the Yard Modernisation Initiatives Program, which represents a significant investment of AED 100,000,000 aimed at increasing productivity, enhancing efficiency, and reducing operational costs.
The showcase also featured an augmented reality device designed to equip frontline workers with essential information through a voice-enabled, head-mounted display.
This technology significantly enhances safety and efficiency in task completion. Additionally, NMDC Energy exhibited Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) used for underwater tasks in harsh offshore conditions.
These vehicles utilise advanced technology to perform detailed inspections, maintenance, and repairs, eliminating the need for human divers and improving operational safety and efficiency.
Ahmed Al Dhaheri, NMDC Energy CEO, said, "Our participation in the Make It In The Emirates Forum was marked by exciting showcases that demonstrate our leadership in the sector and commitment to technological innovation. Our displays included state-of-the-art equipment designed for complex underwater operations and advanced wearable technology that provides critical information directly to our frontline teams, among others. These advancements reinforce our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in our field, significantly enhancing operational capabilities in line with the UAE’s Operation 300bn strategy to transform the industrial sector.”