Regional Coverage
Regional Coverage
- Details
- Matthew Hayhoe
- North America
- Topic: HSE
- Region: North America
- Date: August 7th
- Year: 2025
A two-day workshop launched the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)'s new 'Dominance by Design' initiative, which unites experts and government representatives to develop future offshore resource strategy.
The workshop was held at the BSEE's Gulf of America regional office, and was described as "a unique opportunity to engage directly with the experts who operate in the field every day... this engagement has provided BSEE with invaluable insights to ensure our oversight is not just robust, but also agile and efficient," by the bureau's assistant director Seong Kim.
Evan Zimmerman, the Offshore Operators Committee's executive director, praised the new initiative.
"This session was highly valuable, providing a constructive platform to identify and address challenges in our offshore energy permitting processes.
"By focusing on the permit-related data, we can take a practical approach to improving efficiency and streamlining pathways for important offshore energy projects, supporting American energy goals."
The BSEE has confirmed plans to hold additional 'Dominance by Design' sessions to ensure a smart and strategic approach to developing the offshore energy sector.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Middle East
- Date: 6 August, 2025
- Year: 2025
From the meeting room to the factory floor – and from the office to the construction site – the uvex 1 x-cite women’s safety footwear range offers the ideal blend of style, comfort, and protection.
Designed for professionals who move between multiple environments without wanting to sacrifice fashion or safety, the new S3L models come in three sleek options: a low-cut shoe, a Chelsea boot, and a lace-up boot. Each is designed to complement business wear while meeting the demands of more hazardous settings.
Engineered for performance, the shoes feature a slip-resistant PU outsole, a lightweight carbon toe cap for a slim silhouette, and a clean design with minimal seams to reduce pressure points.
Hydrophobic leather and breathable textile lining ensure all-day comfort, while the ESD-certified, metal-free build includes a removable, antistatic comfort insole.
Sustainability is also central to the design, with recycled materials incorporated into the penetration-resistant midsole and insole.
Having already won the German Design Award in the “Workshop and Tools” category earlier this year, the footwear line has now been honoured with the prestigious “Red Dot Award: Product Design 2025.”
The award was handed out to uvex in July this year.
A uvex delegation accepted the accolade at the Designers’ Night in Essen, where the jury commended the product for its innovative blend of function and form.
Safe and comfortable
The jury of the internationally renowned Red Dot Design Award praised the product with the following statement: “The uvex 1 x-cite provides an elegant solution for women’s safety shoes, combining adequate protection with a stylish appearance.”
Benjamin Kirsch, product manager footwear, who played a key role in the design of the shoes, is delighted with the award on behalf of his team. He said, "With our uvex 1 x-cite, we make no compromises, neither in terms of safety nor style. Safety shoes are getting closer and closer to looking like modern trainers. However, genuine design statements that combine the latest fashion trends with elegant functionality are still a rarity. This is exactly where we come in - with a look that not only protects, but is also stylish.”
The uvex group brings together four companies under one umbrella: the uvex safety group, the uvex sports group (comprising uvex sports and ALPINA), the Filtral group (Filtral and Primetta), and Protecting People GmbH, which handles the B2C segment. Headquartered in Germany, uvex maintains a strong manufacturing presence in the country, with around 60% of its nearly 3,000 employees (as of FY 2020/21) based there. Across the globe, the group operates through 49 branches in 22 countries.
In the Middle East, uvex has built a solid reputation as a trusted provider of personal protective equipment (PPE) across diverse sectors including oil and gas, construction, manufacturing, and logistics. Its safety eyewear, helmets, gloves, and footwear are widely used on worksites across the GCC. With regional partners and distributors in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other key markets, uvex supports local compliance standards while offering German-engineered safety products designed for high performance in harsh environments. The company regularly participates in regional trade shows and industry events, reaffirming its commitment to workplace safety in the Middle East.
- Details
- Matthew Hayhoe
- Middle East
- Topic: HSE
- Region: Middle East
- Date: August 4th
- Year: 2025
The conference, organised by Oman's Ministry of Labour, unites over 1,000 industry leaders across 12 days to lay out the future of Oman's worker market and skills economy, addressing key workforce challenges—including HSE obstacles
Dhofar's director-general of labour, Nasser bin Salim Al Hadhrami, led the opening remarks. "We are witnessing rapid shifts in labour markets worldwide. Challenges such as skill mismatches cannot be tackled in isolation. Oman recognises this and has taken decisive steps—most notably with the issuance of the new Labour Law and Social Protection Law.
"These reforms are not just reactive, but proactive measures rooted in global best practices and local realities."
Industry leaders, senior officials, global sector experts, academics and government legislators are all expected to attend; Mohamed bin Hassan Al Obaidli, director-general of the Executive Office of the GCC Council of Labour Ministers, is one such representative.
"“It is our shared responsibility—as governments, institutions, and social partners—to rethink employment policies, skills training, and social protection models that are inclusive, forward-looking, and fair."
- Details
- Louise Waters
- Middle East
- Topic: HSE
- Region: Middle East
- Date: 31 July 2025
- Year: 2025
Qatar's Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has conducted a training workshop on heat stress during the summer season, attended by around 250 occupational health and safety officers from companies operating in the country
The two-day workshop forms part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to raise awareness of occupational health and safety in workplace environments and aimed to raise awareness among occupational health and safety officers in companies about the importance of taking necessary preventive measures to avoid heat stress injuries, and to enable them to pass this knowledge on to workers within their companies.
Topics included definitions and types of heat stress, methods of prevention, first aid to be administered at work sites, the impact of sunlight on the eyes, and laws related to working in open spaces during the summer.
Dr Salah Abdulla Alyafei, director of the Health Promotion Department at the Ministry of Public Health, stated, “Heat stress remains one of the most significant risks to workers’ health and safety. Rising temperatures and humidity during the summer pose an increasing challenge. Given the diversity of the workforce, many workers may be unaware of the dangers or unfamiliar with proper protective measures.”
“Each year, the Ministry of Public Health, through its Occupational Health Section, runs a dedicated heat stress programme targeted at company health and safety managers and supervisors. This initiative is aimed at improving awareness of heat stress symptoms and preventive actions. As part of the programme, multilingual educational materials are distributed across workplaces, highlighting ways to prevent heat-related issues during the summer. We greatly value the strong collaboration between the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Labour in organising these joint awareness campaigns.”
In common with its Gulf neighbours, Qatar enforces a midday work ban in the summer months, which in the case of Qatar prohibits outdoor work, or work in unshaded or unventilated areas, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM between 1 June and 15 September each year, in a bid to protect workers from the dangers of summer heat stress. This has significantly contributed to reducing heat-related injuries.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Middle East
- Date: 30 July 2025
- Year: 2025
The Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority is strengthening its efforts to promote a culture of safety across the emirate through its “Safety Officers” programme, an initiative designed to improve occupational safety and instil best practices in workplaces.
The programme aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify hazards, implement preventive measures, and respond effectively to potential risks, thereby reducing incidents and creating safer environments.
Since its launch, the initiative has seen strong uptake, with 325 individuals enrolled to date. Participants are trained in various safety protocols relevant to different sectors, positioning them as key figures in advancing safety awareness within their organisations. The programme forms part of the Authority’s broader strategy to build a more informed and safety-conscious workforce.
Engineer Mohammed Al Zarouni, who leads the Occupational Safety and Health Department at the Authority, underscored the importance of investing in human capital, noting that the programme is continuously being refined to stay aligned with evolving industry needs. He added that the Authority is committed to expanding the reach of the initiative to include additional sectors in its long-term plans.
The Authority is also working closely with relevant government and private sector entities to ensure the programme’s benefits are sustained over time. This collaborative approach is aimed at improving workplace safety standards across Sharjah and contributing to the emirate’s overall well-being and development.
Al Zarouni said, "We are very proud of the positive results from the Safety Officers programme. It has successfully improved participants' understanding of safety and created a group of skilled individuals who can help promote awareness and oversee safety efforts at workplaces. Remarkably, 85% of participants passed their written and practical exams. We've also seen a noticeable increase in their ability to recognise and respond to safety risks."
- Details
- Louise Waters
- Middle East
- Topic: HSE
- Region: Middle East
- Date: 29 July 2025
- Year: 2025
Saudi Arabia has showcased its health, safety and sustainability advancements at Expo 2025 Osaka
The Kingdom’s pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka has received the WELL Health-Safety Rating, a globally recognised standard which recognises the measures taken by building owners and operators to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of their staff, visitors and stakeholders, in areas ranging from air and water quality to health and safety communications, access to health services, emergency planning, and sanitisation.
The Saudi pavilion is the first temporary structure to receive this certification.
Designed by Foster + Partners and inspired by traditional Saudi villages, the pavilion incorporates sustainability elements, including roof-top solar panels, low-carbon and light-weight materials, in line with the Saudi Green Initiative.
The Kingdom took part in the Global Initiative for Safety, Health and Well-being Conference held from 16-19 July at Expo 2025, where, for the first time in the history of the expo, Safety, Health and Well-being Days formed part of the official EXPO2025 programme, with a series of events dedicated to safety, health and well-being at work.
The Kingdom’s National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (NCOSH), under the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and led by Secretary-General Majed Al-Fawiz, took part in the conference, where the delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Saudi companies.
This participation is a part of the Kingdom’s broader efforts to highlight its advancements in occupational safety, health, and employee well-being under Vision 2030.
Saudi Arabia’s NCOSH, along with the Ministry of Energy and several Saudi companies, also participated in the accompanying exhibition, which focused on cutting-edge solutions that enhance protection against occupational risks and promote health and well-being at work.
A key objective is to drive the digital transformation of workplace safety and prevention, leveraging AI to support all aspects of OSH management, risk prevention, and health promotion. The Kingdom highlighted key programmes and initiatives, as well as the latest technologies used to enhance work environments, and activities related to awareness, training, and incident reporting.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Middle East
- Date: 29 July 2025
- Year: 2025
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), in collaboration with Majalis Abu Dhabi at the Presidential Court, has held a series of community awareness sessions during the first half of 2025 focused on gas safety in buildings.
The initiative is part of the DoE’s broader efforts to promote public safety and strengthen social awareness across the Emirate.
Aimed at improving safe gas usage practices in homes and businesses, the sessions were designed to enhance community preparedness and reduce the risk of accidents.
By offering guidance on emergency response and safe handling procedures, the campaign supports the protection of lives, property, and infrastructure across Abu Dhabi.
The sessions were hosted at community Majalis in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra, including venues in Mohammed bin Zayed City, Khalifa City, Al Falah, Al Rahbah, Al Sila, Remaah, and Al Alia.
Attendees were encouraged to ask questions, share feedback, and contribute their experiences, fostering two-way dialogue between residents and DoE representatives.
Eng. Ahmed Alsheebani, Executive Director of the Petroleum Products Sector at the DoE, emphasised the role of Majalis as key platforms for public engagement and consultation.
He stressed the importance of incorporating community input into service development and affirmed the DoE’s commitment to working with gas providers to update systems and adopt best practices to mitigate safety risks.
The initiative also falls under the broader "Year of Community" framework, underscoring the DoE’s drive to build stronger public connections and promote a culture of safety through inclusive communication.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- North America
- Date: 28 July 2025
- Year: 2025
Honeywell has been selected to upgrade the fire alarm system at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s Terminal 4, the busiest terminal at the airport with over 80 gates across eight concourses.
The project will replace the original 2003 Honeywell system with advanced fire safety technology that meets the latest UL standards.
As part of the upgrade, new automated devices and enhanced system modules will improve emergency response and operational efficiency.
A digital dashboard will provide real-time insights, helping to cut maintenance costs and reduce manpower amid ongoing labour shortages.
Updated maps through Honeywell’s Enterprise Buildings Integrator (EBI) platform will also improve alarm visualisation and guide emergency responders more accurately.
The project is scheduled for completion in 2026 and will ensure full protection for the terminal, which serves nearly 94,000 passengers daily, throughout the process.
The project highlights Honeywell’s role in delivering safety-critical infrastructure upgrades while supporting broader megatrends in automation, aviation, and the energy transition.
“This award to enhance the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport's fire alarm system reflects our commitment to delivering innovative and reliable automation solutions that protect this busy airport while also helping ensure uninterrupted operations for passengers and staff,” Sudhakar Janakiraman, president, Honeywell Building Solutions.
“We are honored to work on this vital safety initiative that builds on a long-standing and valued relationship.”
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Europe
- Date: 25 July 2025
- Year: 2025
A landmark Founding Declaration aimed at promoting safer, healthier, and more sustainable workplaces worldwide was signed as part of Expo 2025 in Osaka-Kansai, Japan this month.
The Declaration marks the launch of the World Assembly of Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellbeing Professionals and Stakeholders, a global network committed to driving collaboration, promoting safety and wellbeing, empowering future leaders, and developing a roadmap of concrete actions leading up to 2030.
The announcement took place during the four-day “Days on safety, health and wellbeing” programme, organised by the Global Initiative for Safety, Health and Wellbeing at the EXPO2025 and Beyond (GISHW).
It is the first time in more than 170 years that workplace safety and health has been spotlighted at a World Expo, underscoring how essential good work is to the Expo’s wider theme: “Designing future society for our lives.” The signing of the Declaration marks the beginning of a five-year collaboration to improve working conditions and protect lives and livelihoods around the globe.
Endorsed by global leaders in the occupational safety and health (OSH) field, the Declaration serves as both a foundation for action and a global call to prioritise health, safety and wellbeing in the world of work. It affirms that these principles are central to building equitable, inclusive, and resilient societies.
The World Assembly provides a unified platform to elevate these priorities, ensuring they remain central to global development conversations.
The signatories have pledged to promote workplace safety and wellbeing by integrating proactive risk management, inclusive design, and ethical technology.
They also aim to enhance international collaboration in response to major challenges such as digital transformation, climate change, and demographic shifts.
Future OSH leaders will be empowered through diverse representation and innovation, while a shared roadmap will guide collective actions through 2030 based on insights from Expo 2025 workshops.
The Declaration sets a clear intention to measure and share progress, with signatories committing to revisit these goals during the GISHW Days in Riyadh in 2030. The World Assembly will remain an active platform for dialogue, learning, and leadership, supporting a sustained global movement to place safety, health, and wellbeing at the heart of working life.
Founding signatories include companies and organisations such as ACWA Power, Siemens AG, GalaxyEDGE Safety Inc, Global Solutions Inc., IOSH, NEBOSH, RoSPA, Lloyd’s Register Foundation and others.
Marijana Zivkovic Mtegha, member of IOSH and chair of the World Assembly Working Group and vice-chair, GISHW Executive Committee, said, “In a rapidly changing world, driven by geopolitical and economic volatility, digital transformation, climate change and shifting demographics, the need for safe and healthy workplaces is more urgent than ever. This Declaration acknowledges that safety, health, and wellbeing are not only critical to the workplace but are fundamental to the broader societal agenda, including the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and beyond.”
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- North America
- Date: 24 July 2025
- Year: 2025
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has announced that it will offer free and confidential black lung screenings for coal miners throughout July and August 2025.
This mobile screening initiative is designed to help detect coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, commonly known as black lung disease, at an early stage.
The disease is a serious but preventable occupational condition caused by prolonged exposure to coal mine dust.
To ensure easy access, NIOSH will deploy a mobile testing unit across various communities and mine sites in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maryland.
The programme is open to all coal miners, including current and former workers from underground, surface, and contract mining operations.
Participants will receive a private lung health report at no cost. All results will remain confidential and are protected under federal law.
The screening process takes approximately 30 minutes and includes a work and respiratory history, chest x-ray, blood pressure check, and a breathing test (spirometry).
While walk-ins are welcome, miners are encouraged to schedule an appointment. Test results are generally sent to participants within 8-10 weeks.
In West Virginia, screenings will take place at the NMRA Post 5 Mine Rescue Contest at Mylan Park, Morgantown, from 29-31 July, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Another session will be held at Price Cutter in Mannington on Tuesday, 5 August, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
In Maryland, screenings are scheduled for Wednesday, 27 August, at the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
NIOSH completed its screenings in Pennsylvania at Greene County Fairgrounds in Waynesburg on 16 and 17 July.
- Details
- Louise Waters
- North America
- Topic: HSE
- Region: North America
- Date: 23 July 2025
- Year: 2025
The U.S. Department of Labor has updated its policy on penalty and debt collection procedures with the aim of minimising the burden on small businesses and encouraging prompt action to address hazards
The new policy, outlined in the Penalties and Debt Collection section of OSHA’s Field Operations Manual, increases penalty reductions for small employers, making it easier for small businesses to invest resources in compliance and hazard abatement. For example, a penalty reduction level of 70%, which was previously only applicable for businesses with 10 or fewer employees, will now be extended to include businesses who employ up to 25 employees. The revisions also include new guidelines for a 15% penalty reduction for employers who immediately take steps to address or correct a hazard.
Additionally, the updated policy expands the penalty reduction for employers without a history of serious, willful, repeat, or failure-to-abate OSHA violations. Under OSHA’s revised policy, employers who have never been inspected by federal OSHA or an OSHA State Plan, as well as employers who have been inspected in the previous five years and had no serious, willful, or failure-to-abate violations, are eligible for a 20% penalty reduction.
The new policies are effective immediately, and investigations in which penalties have not yet been issued are covered by the new guidance.
OSHA retains the right to withhold penalty reductions where they do not advance the goals of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
"All employers should be offered the opportunity to comply with regulations that help maintain a safe working environment,” said deputy secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “Small employers who are working in good faith to comply with complex federal laws should not face the same penalties as large employers with abundant resources. By lowering penalties on small employers, we are supporting the entrepreneurs that drive our economy and giving them the tools they need to keep our workers safe and healthy on the job while keeping them accountable."
- Details
- Louise Waters
- Middle East
- Topic: HSE
- Region: Middle East
- Date: 22 July 2025
- Year: 2025
The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), in collaboration with the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA) in Sharjah along with government and private sector partners, is implementing the 14th Heat Exhaustion and Disease Prevention Campaign
Taking place from July to August under the theme “Your Safety is Our Priority,” the campaign coincides with the midday work ban, which prohibits work under direct sunlight and in open-air spaces between 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm, from 15 June to 15 September to protect workers from injuries and illnesses caused by working in high temperatures during the summer months. The campaign aims to raise health awareness among outdoor workers and field personnel on the dangers of heat stress during the summer.
The campaign aims to reach 10,000 workers and has so far targeted more than 4,000 individuals across various sites in the emirate, with activities including lectures on heat stress, as well as free medical screenings and the distribution of preventive supplies to workers.
Field visits have also taken place, focusing on raising awareness among construction workers as well as employers about proper health practices during the summer and heat stress prevention.
The campaign also extends to workers at fuel stations, and public places as well as community members, including housewives and university students.
These activities aim to highlight the importance of health protection during the summer, promote a culture of healthy living that encourages positive behaviours, and encourage participants to share the knowledge and preventive measures with domestic helpers.
Mohammed Abdullah Al Zarooni, director of MoHAP’s Representative Office in Sharjah, stressed that the campaign is a humanitarian initiative that embodies the values of social responsibility and contributes significantly to promoting health awareness across all segments of society, particularly among outdoor labourers.
He emphasised that the campaign supports government efforts to safeguard labour rights and ensure a healthy work environment, in accordance with WHO standards and the human-focused objectives of the Year of Community.
Partners supporting the campaign include the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Sharjah Government Media Bureau, Sharjah Police, Emirates Health Services, Sharjah Sports Council, Labour Standards Development Authority, Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Prevention and Safety Authority, Sharjah Volunteering Centre, Sharjah Coop, Sharjah Charity International, the Friends of Kidney Patients Association, Emirates Red Crescent, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Fast Building Contracting, Al Jaber Optical, Medcare Group, Aster DM Healthcare, Burjeel Specialty Hospital, NMC Hospital, Zulekha Hospital, Life Pharmacy Group and Gaia Healthcare.