Regional Coverage
Regional Coverage
- Details
- Louise Waters
- North America
- Topic: Fire Safety
- Region: North America
- Date: 12 May 2025
- Year: 2025
Two Texas-based companies are joining forces in a move set to enhance the provision of fire safety solutions for the oil and gas industry
Total Safety’s Industrial Fire and Safety Division and Dooley Tackaberry, a specialist in fire and safety equipment for the oil and gas industry, are partnering to create a global market leader in industrial fire safety solutions.
Total Safety is a leading global provider of integrated industrial safety services, equipment and compliance solutions, covering sectors including oil and gas, petrochemical and refining, utilities, manufacturing, and transportation.
While Dooley Tackaberry (DT) has an extensive history in the distribution of fire and safety equipment to the oil and gas industry and municipal fire service market. It specialises in designing and fabricating fire detection and suppression systems as well as supplying fire protection and personal protective equipment for the upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas industry worldwide.
The combined business will build on the respective strengths of the two companies, uniting common cultures and values and enabling rapid growth. Combining Total Safety’s in-plant fire systems inspection, testing and repair capabilities with Dooley’s engineering and fabrication capabilities will provide customers with unparalleled support in the upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas industry.
“We are very excited to be joining forces with Dooley. Their strength in engineering and fabrication of industrial fire suppression systems compliments our team of in-plant fire technicians that perform inspection, testing and repair of critical fire systems,” said Brad Clark, CEO, Total Safety. “Our passion is to provide the best customer experience by serving our customers with the complete value chain of industrial fire protection.”
“Total Safety is the right strategic partner for Dooley, having similar core values and objectives in serving our customers. We are particularly excited about gaining access to Total Safety’s broad set of refining and petrochemical customers. Furthermore, Total Safety’s field installation capabilities will greatly enhance our ability to provide a trusted, one-stop solution to all our customers,” said Chris Dooley, CEO, Dooley Tackaberry.
Industrial fire protection is especially critical in the oil and gas industry given the presence of flammable and explosive substances. 16% of all fatalities in the industry are due to fires or explosions, according to Impact Fire’s Guide to Fire Safety in the Oil and Gas Industry, which highlights a multitude of common fire hazards, including equipment failure, leaks, oil spills, flash fires and confined space fires.
- Details
- Matthew Hayhoe
- North America
- Region: North America
- Date: May 8
- Year: 2025
After reporting a 39.5% reduction against baseline (2019) greenhouse gas emissions for 2024, Baker Hughes' chief sustainability officer Allyson Anderson Book said the company's approach "continues to be a key competitive advantage for Baker Hughes, helping us deliver long-term value to all of our stakeholders."
Delivering a 39.5% reduction in scope one and two emissions translated to a 29.3% absolute reduction against the 2019 baseline.
Amidst the more efficient backdrop, 206 perfect HSE days were delivered, with an 11% drop in total recordable incident (TRI) rate. Those figures, reported in Baker Hughes' reflection on 2024, mark the first time the company has ever externally assured such data.
Baker Hughes chairman and CEO Lorenzo Simonelli announced the news. "Our ability to drive economic growth and achieve significant emissions reductions underscores our commitment to sustainable energy development... by focusing on increasing efficiencies and integrating sustainability into our corporate strategy, we also enable our customers to meet their emissions targets."
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Middle East
- Region: Middle East
- Date: 7 May, 2025
- Year: 2025
The International Code Council (ICC) has launched the 45th edition of its annual Building Safety Month campaign this May, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of safe and sustainable construction practices worldwide.
The campaign underscores the critical role of modern, consistently updated building codes in ensuring structural safety and resilience.
Running throughout the month, the initiative seeks to enhance understanding of the key elements and professionals that contribute to safe building practices.
This year’s theme, “Game On!”, is a call to action, urging individuals, businesses, and communities to engage in strengthening building safety through education and active participation.
From schools and worksites to city halls and job sites, the campaign promotes local involvement—especially in fast-developing regions such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, where urban growth heightens the need for robust regulatory frameworks.
The ICC’s growing presence in the GCC region reflects the organisation’s belief in the necessity of enforceable, evolving building codes that keep pace with technological advancements, climate concerns, and population pressures.
This year’s programme also includes the second annual International Building Safety Day (IBSD) on 22 May 2025.
Introduced last year with backing from 28 international organisations, IBSD spotlights the link between building safety and public health, wellbeing, and economic resilience.
It serves as a global reminder to governments, policymakers and industry leaders to keep safety at the forefront of construction practices.
In celebration of Building Safety Month 2025, the International Code Council (ICC) and its global partners will mark the month of May with a series of themed weeks, highlighting the many facets of building safety through official recognitions, public education and community outreach.
Key themes
Building Safety Month 2025 will be marked throughout May with a series of themed weeks aimed at raising awareness about the critical role of building safety in everyday life.
The following weeks explore strategies for strengthening safety frameworks, from advocating for policy improvements to preparing for natural disasters. Professionals who uphold safety standards will be celebrated during the fourth week, while the final week, themed “Going into Overtime”, will examine emerging trends and innovations shaping global resilience. Through these activities, ICC’s campaign aims to foster a broader understanding of modern building practices and inspire ongoing commitment to safety across the built environment.
Mohamed Amer, managing director of ICC MENA, stated, “ICC MENA’s mission has always been to strengthen the safety and integrity of buildings while supporting the region’s extraordinary pace of development. As cities across the GCC continue to grow vertically and technologically, the importance of compliance with unified, robust building codes becomes even more essential, not only to protect lives and property but to drive sustainable and inclusive growth.”
He further added, “Building safety is not a one-time action; it’s a continuous commitment that involves government leaders, private-sector innovators and community stakeholders. Through our advocacy and partnerships, we aim to create a culture of safety that lasts for generations. We are proud to be participating in multiple regional events across the full ecosystem of building safety, and we’re pleased to see growing momentum around both Building Safety Month and IBSD — a timely reminder of the shared responsibility and collective action needed to elevate safety standards across the built environment."
- Details
- Louise Waters
- Middle East
- Topic: Industrial
- Region: Middle East
- Date: 6 May 2025
- Year: 2025
Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE) held a week of awareness and engagement activities around World Day for Safety and Health at Work, which took place on 28 April
With the theme of shared responsibility and proactive prevention, the programme featured a range of initiatives aimed at strengthening occupational health and safety practices across all levels of the organisation.
A series of awareness sessions were organised in collaboration with the Civil Defence, involving staff involved in field operations and site supervision.
Other sessions, led by internal teams, addressed everyday risks and highlighted the importance of observing safe work practices.
Training and drills
The week also included interactive competitions, quizzes, and knowledge-sharing initiatives that encouraged greater involvement from employees across departments.
EtihadWE's Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Department plays a central role in cultivating a safe and healthy work environment, implementing awareness programmes, including onsite guidance, first aid training, fire safety workshops, and targeted safety e-messages.
In 2024 alone, EtihadWE conducted 142 training sessions and 64 evacuation drills across various sites.
Additionally, regular inspections are carried out to monitor compliance with safety standards and assess work areas, helping to identify and mitigate potential risks.
The company also maintains a robust emergency response and evacuation framework, with clear protocols for scenarios such as fires, chemical spills, injuries, and natural disasters.
Eng. Yousif Ahmed Al Ali, CEO of Etihad Water and Electricity, said, “At EtihadWE, safety is a shared responsibility and a core value — not just a protocol. Our people are at the heart of every plan we execute and every service we provide, and it is our duty to ensure they return home safely every day. Through continuous awareness, active participation, and clear procedures, we aim to build a workplace where everyone feels empowered and protected.”
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Europe
- Region: Europe
- Year: 2025
A groundbreaking report from the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) has, for the first time, put a price tag on the economic toll of work-related stress across the European Union, estimating it at over €100bn (US$105bn) annually.
The study, titled 'Work-related stress and cardiovascular diseases', highlights the staggering financial and human costs of workplace stress, linking it to cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders like depression.
The ETUI report reveals that work-related stress contributes significantly to cardiovascular diseases, which account for a substantial portion of the €100 billion cost. These expenses stem from healthcare costs, lost productivity, and absenteeism due to stress-induced illnesses. The study also underscores the mental health impact, with depression caused by workplace stress adding to the economic strain.
In 2015 alone, the report estimates that more than 10,000 workers died, and over 400,000 years of life were lost due to cardiovascular diseases and depression caused by work-related psychosocial risks. “These are preventable deaths,” said Dimitra Theodori, Head of Health and Safety at ETUI. “We urgently need to redesign work environments to protect both mental and physical health.”
The report identifies significant variations in stress levels across EU member states, with countries like Poland reporting higher rates of workplace stress compared to nations such as the Netherlands and Switzerland. France, Belgium, Finland, Ireland and the Netherlands rank among the five countries most affected in terms of cost per 100,000 workers. The cost of depression attributable to all five PWEs is for instance 2.2 times higher in the Netherlands than in Poland per 100,000 workers, or 2.3 times higher in France than in Portugal.
Women workers are disproportionately affected by psychosocial risks such as excessive working hours, job uncertainty, and workplace bullying.
A Call for Action
The ETUI urges employers and EU institutions to treat work-related stress as an organisational issue requiring collective action. The report advocates for stronger workplace policies, including better stress management programmes, improved working conditions, and greater support for mental health. It also calls for regulatory measures to hold employers accountable for mitigating stress-related risks.
“While workplace fatalities have decreased over the years, the toll of psychosocial risks continues to rise—often invisible, yet devastating. It's time to treat mental well-being as a fundamental workplace right,” said Theodori.
The sentiment is echoed in the ETUI’s recommendations, which emphasize collaboration between employers, unions, and policymakers to reduce the burden of stress.
Broader Implications
The report’s release comes amid growing concern over workplace wellbeing in the EU, with 51% of workers reporting that stress is common in their workplaces and 40% believing it is poorly managed, according to EU-OSHA data. The ETUI’s findings align with these concerns, warning that unaddressed stress could undermine efforts to build resilient and sustainable economies.
Social media discussions on platforms like X have amplified the report’s impact, with users highlighting the €100 billion figure as evidence of systemic workplace issues. Posts describe the cost as a reflection of “conditions that make people stressed or unhappy at work,” urging political action to address deteriorating work environments.
- Details
- Louise Waters
- Middle East
- Region: Middle East
- Date: 28 April, 2025
- Year: 2025
A new report from the International Labour Organization (ILO) explores how AI, digitalisation, robotics and automation are improving worker health and wellbeing in workplaces worldwide, while underlining the need for proactive policies to ensure these technologies are implemented safely and equitably
The report, titled Revolutionizing Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalization at Work, highlights how robots help reduce risks and improve efficiency by taking on hazardous tasks, assisting in surgeries, and optimising logistics. AI-powered systems enhance safety and health monitoring, and streamline tasks and operations, easing workloads and driving innovation – even in traditionally low-tech sectors.
“Digitalisation offers immense opportunities to enhance workplace safety. Robots can replace workers in hazardous ‘3D jobs’, which can be dirty, dangerous, and demeaning. Automation can reduce repetitive tasks, such as in factory production lines or in administrative work, allowing workers to take on more challenging tasks,” said Manal Azzi, team lead on OSH Policy at the ILO. “But for us to fully benefit from these technologies, we must ensure they are implemented without incurring new risks.”
Technology’s impact on safety and health
The report highlights that advanced robotics and automation, the use of virtual and extended reality, as well as new tools such as smart wearable devices that provide real-time risk detection or environmental sensors that track air quality, are transforming safety and health by preventing accidents and reducing hazardous exposures. Furthermore, digitalisation is leading to the rise of hybrid and remote work arrangements that are creating flexibility and improving mental health.
VR is transforming training by providing immersive, interactive experiences for high-risk environments that are difficult to simulate theoretically, such as emergency response, fire training and working at heights. The report highlights an example from Qatar, where The Qatar Ministry of Labour, in cooperation with the ILO, launched a VR-based training programme for labour inspectors, which enhances OSH enforcement by allowing inspectors to explore virtual construction sites, identify workplace risks and correct safety violations without entering hazardous environments. The programme also improves guidance for employers and workers, strengthening compliance with OSH standards.
However, these advancements may also bring in new risks. While robots effectively take on hazardous tasks, workers who maintain, repair, or collaborate with these machines may face new dangers. Unpredictable robotic behaviours, system failures, or cyber threats can compromise safety. Ergonomic risks may arise from human-robot interaction, as well as from the use of wearables and exoskeletons that lack proper fit, usability, or comfort.
The study highlights that over-reliance on AI and automation may reduce human oversight, which would, in turn, increase OSH risks, while algorithm-driven workloads and being continuously connected can contribute to stress, burnout, and mental health issues.
The report also exposes safety and health risks faced by workers across the digital supply chain, from those in extraction processes to those powering AI, as well as workers handling electronic waste.
Global policy response and the role of the ILO
The report highlights regulatory gaps in managing OSH risks linked to digitalisation and calls for stronger global, regional, and national policies. The ILO’s OSH conventions (Nos. 155 and 187) provide a foundation for ensuring the right to a safe and healthy workplace in the digital era.
Policies and regulations worldwide increasingly include new measures covering robotic safety and human-robot interaction, the right to disconnect, improved algorithmic management of work, and safe telework and platform work.
Worker involvement is essential at every stage of technology adoption, the report argues. Training and awareness raising initiatives are key to ensuring safe use of new technologies. Further research will be needed to fully understand the long-term occupational safety and health impacts of digital transformation.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Middle East
- Region: Middle East
- Date: 24 April, 2025
- Year: 2025
With World Day for Safety and Health at Work approaching, it is an ideal time for businesses to reflect on the importance of maintaining health and safety in every workplace.
Gavin Scarr Hall, director of Health & Safety at Peninsula, says, “Health & safety is not just the responsibility of select few – it’s something that affects all of us, every day. Whether you’re in the office, at home or working remotely, we all play a vital role in creating and maintaining a safe environment. While great advances have been made, there are still far too many mistakes being made by businesses across the country many of which are easily avoidable and quick to fix. I’ve put together a list of the top 5 most common mistakes my team has found over the last year.”
Failing to display the Health & Safety Law poster
A surprisingly common oversight among businesses is not displaying the mandatory Health & Safety Law poster. The poster outlines the legal responsibilities of both employers and employees regarding workplace safety. Businesses employing staff are legally obliged to either display the poster where it is easily visible or distribute the official leaflet to each employee. “So, take it out of the drawer and get it on the wall,” urges Scarr Hall.
Not sharing risk assessments with staff
Completing a risk assessment is only part of the process; failing to involve employees is a mistake seen all too often. Staff typically have detailed knowledge of the practical risks associated with their work, and involving them helps create more effective safety controls. Sharing the outcomes also promotes greater compliance and fosters a culture of collective responsibility.
Neglecting health & safety training
Employers are required by law to provide appropriate information, instruction, and training to employees, contractors, and site visitors to ensure safe working practices. Training must be accessible, taking into account the varying language skills, educational backgrounds, and learning abilities of workers. Selecting the right method—whether classroom training, on-the-job instruction, or toolbox talks—ensures employees receive the knowledge they need to work safely.
Poor housekeeping practices
Workplaces must be kept clean and well-maintained, as required by safety and welfare regulations. Good housekeeping is essential not only for hygiene but also for accident prevention. Employers should implement formal maintenance and cleaning routines, while employees should also be responsible for keeping their workspaces tidy and hazard-free. Policies must clearly outline these expectations.
Overlooking mental health and work-related stress
Mental health issues are now the leading cause of workplace absence, with over half a million workers suffering from work-related stress in the UK alone. “The earlier an employee’s symptoms of stress at work are recognised the easier it is to control and manage,” says Scarr Hall. To address this, employers should implement a work-related stress policy that details the company's commitment to prevention and the measures in place to support affected employees.
- Details
- Louise Waters
- North America
- Region: North America
- Date: 23 April, 2025
- Year: 2025
An AI-driven gaming platform being developed by the Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center (MKO) at Texas A&M University and EnerSys Corporation allows pipeline operators to be exposed to pipeline incidents in a controlled environment and gain experience in responding to real-world scenarios.
Pipeline leaks or failures can have a catastrophic impact on assets, people and the environment as well as causing untold financial and reputational damage. In early April this year, for example, a leaking gas pipeline sparked a huge fire on the outskirts of Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur, injuring more than 100 people.
The project aims to develop a realistic training system for teams to practice handling hazardous condition response and emergency response in a collaborative learning environment. It simulates various pipeline failure scenarios, using AI to visualise how such situations can evolve, and provides measurable outcomes of the response, so that when incidents do occur, people working with pipelines can be prepared and respond more quickly and effectively.
According to an article on the Texas A&M website, MKO will provide knowledge and understanding of the pipeline and its safety issues and create mathematical models for the project, while EnerSys Corporation will facilitate research and data collection from industry.
Trial scenarios with a research and development team are planned by the end of this year, with results being incorporated into the platform.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to learn, particularly from the industrial experiences, and develop tools that enable fusion of knowledge and experience to improve safety,” said Faisal Khan, director of the Mary Kay O-Connor Process Safety Center.
A new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) on ‘Revolutionizing health and safety: the role of AI and digitalization at work’ highlights the effectiveness of immersive virtual training environments, allowing workers to acquire new skills quickly and retain knowledge more efficiently, thereby providing a better trained and more competent workforce.
“The technology presents an important opportunity to improve the effectiveness of safety and safety-relevant training due to its abilities both to allow trainees to fail safely and to present scenarios that are difficult to replicate in the real world, either due to financial constraints or safety concerns,” it says.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Middle East
- Region: Middle East
- Date: 21 April, 2025
- Year: 2025
Wolters Kluwer, a global provider of professional information, software solutions, and services, has released new survey findings revealing significant trends around Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption in Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) management.
According to the survey, 49% of EHS functions plan to invest in AI within the next 12 months, and 77% prioritise AI skills when recruiting.
Richard Pulliam, SVP and General Manager of Wolters Kluwer EHS & ESG, commented, “AI promises to revolutionise EHS by enabling leaders to collect data, and then interpret, plan, predict and act with unprecedented speed, accuracy, and efficiency. With nearly half of EHS teams planning to invest in AI in the coming year, the ability to collect high-quality data from across the enterprise will be crucial to optimising this potential. We are deeply committed to driving innovation and providing game-changing technologies to ensure EHS teams are future-ready.”
EHS teams slow to adopt AI compared to other business functions
While AI is reshaping many industries, EHS teams have been slower to implement the technology. Only 28% of EHS practitioners reported current AI use within their departments. In contrast, 62% said AI adoption in their EHS function lagged behind other areas of their business.
Investment in AI is growing, but budget clarity is needed
Nearly half of the survey respondents reported active plans to invest in AI technologies over the next year. However, 38% were uncertain about their department’s AI investment intentions, suggesting a need for clearer communication about available budgets and strategies. Only 13% of respondents stated there were no plans to invest in AI.
Developing AI skills a rising priority for EHS teams
Building AI capabilities is becoming increasingly important. According to the survey, 25% of EHS practitioners currently have no AI skills or experience, and 61% classify themselves as beginners. Encouragingly, half of EHS functions have either already provided AI training or plan to offer it soon.
When it comes to recruitment, AI skills are highly valued. A significant 77% of respondents noted that AI expertise is an important consideration when hiring, reflecting a dual strategy of upskilling existing teams and attracting new talent with relevant capabilities.
The survey, conducted with 162 EHS professionals at the Wolters Kluwer Sustainable Performance Forum (SPF) 2025, underscores a clear shift: while EHS has been slower to adopt AI compared to other fields, investment and skills development are becoming key priorities. As businesses continue to focus on improving efficiency, safety, and compliance, AI is poised to play a critical role in transforming EHS practices.
- Details
- Louise Waters
- Middle East
- Region: Middle East
- Date: 18 April, 2025
- Year: 2025
The UK's Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has announced a significant training contract with Bahrain-based Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill (Garmco)
Under the agreement, Garmco is licensed to deliver IOSH’s Working Safely, Managing Safely and Fire Safety Awareness courses. IOSH has also approved the company’s three tailored half-day courses on CoSSH, confined spaces, and permit to work.
The contract demonstrates Garmco’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the safety of its human capital as well as representing another positive step that IOSH is taking to improve workers’ health and safety in the Gulf States.
Mohamed Rafea, CEO of Garmco, said, “Becoming an IOSH-approved training provider marks a significant milestone in our efforts to foster a proactive safety culture and support our employees’ professional growth.”
He added that the partnership would enable Garmco to provide international safety training that strengthens its team’s competence and knowledge, ensuring they are better equipped to implement advanced safety practices and comply with internationally recognised safety standards.
Iain Mcintosh, senior business development manager at IOSH, said, “We are thrilled to have teamed up with Garmco. It’s another demonstration of what we can offer through our IOSH for Business initiative. We look forward to helping the company to create an internal training function that will strengthen its critical safety initiatives and enhance the expertise of its staff.”
GARMCO works proactively to ensure the health and safety of all employees, contractors and visitors through stringent measures that are governed by GARMCO’s occupational health and safety policies aligned with ISO 45001:2018 and other relevant international and national standards.
The company has a fully-equipped health centre that conducts regular medical check-ups for staff, as well as a fire station that organises fire drills and emergency evacuation exercises. Health and safety rules and guidelines are continuously communicated to all staff, and related key performance indicators are monitored on a monthly basis, together with a review of employee feedback. Job safe practice training and preventive campaigns are conducted on a regular basis, fostering a culture of occupational health and safety.
As an example, in December 2024, GARMCO organised a Safety Week campaign to raise awareness of the importance of safety in the workplace and equip employees with the necessary information and skills to protect themselves and their colleagues through interactive activities that enhance effective participation among employees.
In February, GARMCO employees participated in the fourth edition of the Bahrain Firefighter Challenge, which brought together firefighters from various government and private sectors, along with amateur participants, to in challenges simulating the field tasks of firefighters. The event contributes to enhancing professionalism among firefighters and fosters community partnership in promoting a culture of safety.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- North America
- Region: North America
- Date: 17 April, 2025
- Year: 2025
News publications from across the USA have reported impending closures of occupational health and safety agencies in the county, in wake of the Trump administration's decisions to cut government spending. This could be disastrous for American workers, who may now have little recourse against workplace violations.
Louisiana workers may be more affected than others. The state is already known as one of the most dangerous places in America, from an occupational health and safety standpoint. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Louisiana is ranked the sixth most dangerous state for workers in the U.S. This is thanks to the more than 200 chemical facilities and refineries which line an 85-mile stretch of the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to the state's capital New Orleans. It has been repeatedly called "Cancer Alley", due to the high cancer rates associated with petrochemicals.
US-based publication Capital & Main has recorded a few instances. In recent years, the news publication said, there have been several chemical plant exposures or explosions in the state. In December, a suspected explosion occurred at a Westlake Corp. chemical plant near the Nutrien plant. Four workers were hospitalised in October after being exposed to ammonia at a Formosa Plastics plant.
Two individuals were injured in September when a hydrogen gas explosion occurred at the neighbouring Chevron Renewable Energy Group factory. Last month, Mathew Roberts was working at a chemical facility on the outskirts of Baton Rouge when he was involved in a forklift accident. The father of two, who was unresponsive and in severe condition, was transported from the Nutrien nitrogen facility to a local hospital and died of his injuries.
Spending cuts
His death came weeks after the Elon Musk-run Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced the closure of 11 OSHA field offices. This includes one in Baton Rouge that is investigating Robert's death. It is the agency's only office in Louisiana, and its impending closure is causing anxiety among workplace safety professionals. The closures are still "under review," according to the US Department of Labor, which oversees OSHA.
In addition to the Baton Rouge office, which conducted 386 workplace inspections last year and imposed over $750,000 in penalties for major infractions, DOGE intends to eliminate field offices in Houston and Mobile, Alabama.
“Those enormous oil and petrochemical facilities with significant safety and health hazards will be inspected even less frequently than they are now,” former OSHA Director David Michaels told Capital & Main. “These closures will result in more injuries, illnesses and deaths,” Michaels added.
According to Michaels, OSHA employees in the office will have to choose between quitting the agency entirely or relocating to another region hundreds of miles away. Staff at the Baton Rouge office claimed they were not aware of any layoffs, despite rumours that have circulated since the DOGE announcement in mid-March.
- Details
- Matthew Hayhoe
- Middle East
- Region: Middle East
- Date: 16 April, 2025
- Year: 2025
The world’s busiest international airport has been awarded the Airports Council International (ACI) Safety Recognition Award 2025, recognising Dubai International’s proactive and innovative approach to aerodrome safety, positioning the airport as a leading example of safety leadership in global aviation
Presented during the 2nd ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East Regional Assembly and Conference in New Delhi, India, the award was accepted by Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, and Buti Qurwash, Senior Vice President of Safety & Security. ACI’s recognition is given to airport operators demonstrating a commitment to safety that extends beyond regulatory compliance, with a focus on operational resilience and risk management.
The airport has implemented several internal initiatives aimed at fostering a culture of safety. These include the Safety Superstar Award, highlighting exemplary individual safety practices, as well as a confidential reporting system to encourage early identification of safety concerns by employees at all levels.
Interactive educational tools, such as safety videos and targeted surveys, along with joint campaigns between departments and partners, further reinforce safety awareness and shared responsibility. Through the use of data, smart technologies, and real-time insights, DXB is enhancing its capacity to manage operational risks and anticipate future challenges.
Griffiths noted that safety at DXB is seen not only as a regulatory obligation but as a foundational element of airport operations. This recognition from ACI reflects the efforts of teams and partners working collaboratively to ensure a safe, smooth experience for passengers and stakeholders alike.