Middle East
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.
- 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."
- 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.
- 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."
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Date: 21 July 2025
- Year: 2025
In a continued effort to embed a strong culture of occupational health and safety across its operations, Orange Jordan held a specialised two-day workshop at the Orange Training Center.
The event gathered representatives from more than 32 local and international partner companies, as well as officials from key ministries and national institutions.
Held under the patronage and attendance of Dr. Ibrahim Harb, Chief Legal, Regulatory, Sourcing & Supply Chain Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer at Orange Jordan, the workshop was led by the Human Resources Department’s Compensation and Benefits Management team. Its main goal was to strengthen safety awareness and promote preventive measures among contractors and business partners, aligned with national and international safety standards.
The agenda covered a broad range of critical topics including occupational safety laws, hazard identification and prevention, personal protective equipment, road safety, first aid, social security protocols, and injury management.
A session on positive thinking in the workplace also underscored the importance of mental wellbeing alongside physical safety. The event further showcased Orange Jordan’s internal achievements in building a robust occupational health and safety system.
Officials from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Social Security Corporation, Public Security Directorate – Civil Defense, and the Jordan Traffic Institute took part, alongside safety experts.
They praised Orange Jordan’s leadership and the broader role of private sector champions in raising health and safety standards and saving lives.
Dr. Harb reaffirmed that employee and partner wellbeing is a core priority for Orange Jordan. He explained that this workshop reflected their ongoing commitment to strengthening safety practices, exchanging knowledge, and ensuring that their operations comply with the highest standards.
The event closed with a strong call to action for all partners and contractors to maintain rigorous health and safety standards. Participants were thanked for their contributions and active engagement in making the initiative a success.
- Topic: HSE
- Date: 16 July 2025
- Year: 2025
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) has inaugurated its annual summer Safety & Health (S&H) campaign ‘Summer is Here! Ring the Safety Bell’
The opening ceremony was attended by the Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Relations at the Ministry of Labour, Aqeel Buhussein, along with several senior officials, representatives of contracting companies operating at Alba, and employees from across the plant.
Alba’s 2025 S&H campaign will focus on critical summer-related topics such as hydration, heat awareness and safe work practices to empower every employee with the knowledge and tools to thrive both on and off the job. It includes various panel discussions that emphasise cross-functional collaboration and safety best practices across departments; a health awareness session by General Practitioner Dr. Abrar Mahdi titled “Health in Summer”; and a ‘Young Albawee’ session, where the children of Alba employees will promote safety through creative presentations and video messages.
The 2025 S&H Campaign is a key part of Alba’s ongoing commitment to cultivating a world-class safety culture for its workforce, which has been recognised by several recent prestigious awards including RoSPA 2025 Health and Safety Achievement Award (President’s Award), British Safety Council 2025 International Safety Award, as well as numerous awards from the National Safety Council, USA.
“Our annual summer Safety & Health (S&H) campaign is more than just a seasonal reminder to stay safe; it is a call to action - Stay Vigilant. Stay Informed. Stay Safe,” stated Alba's chief executive officer Ali Al Baqali at the campaign’s inauguration.
“Summer brings its own set of challenges in our industry, all of which put our resilience to test. We are proud to have achieved eight years without any heat-related injuries and illnesses in 2024, and, most recently, surpassed 37 million safe working hours without LTI; but summer-related risks repeat every year, and we must stay proactive to ensure that every team member stays safe, supported and ready to beat the heat.”
- Date: 14 July 2025
- Year: 2025
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has launched a new awareness campaign under the theme Your Safety is Our Priority, reinforcing its commitment to public safety and the responsible use of energy resources.
The campaign targets both individuals and businesses across the emirate, aiming to increase awareness about the prevention of electricity and gas-related hazards, particularly during the summer season, when rising temperatures lead to greater reliance on electrical systems.
A key component of the initiative is to educate residents on how to safely manage household electrical appliances and gas installations throughout the warmer months.
To ensure the message reaches a broad audience, the campaign will disseminate digital awareness materials through social media platforms and official websites.
It will also feature a series of workshops and site visits, developed in collaboration with partners from both the public and private sectors.
The DoE is encouraging all residents and commercial establishments in Abu Dhabi to actively participate in the campaign’s activities and events.
It emphasised that safety is a shared responsibility, beginning at home and extending into every workplace.
The department also urged the public to follow its social media channels and website for campaign updates and daily safety tips.
Eng Ahmed Alsayed Mohamed Sheebani, executive director of the Regulatory Affairs Petroleum Products Sector at the DoE, said, “Safety in the use of energy sources is one of the fundamental pillars of our regulatory framework. Through this campaign, we aim to enhance community awareness of best practices, and encourage safer, more sustainable behavior in energy use, aligned with Abu Dhabi’s vision to build an efficient and secure energy sector that serves both people and the environment. Collaboration between regulatory entities and the community is key to reducing gas-related incidents and ensuring everyone’s safety.”
Eng Abdul Rahman Al-Alawi, Health, Safety, and Environment Director at the DoE, said, "At the start of summer, the difficulties linked to energy usage grow, be it inside residences or within commercial and service facilities. Our part, at the Department of Energy, is to foster a safe and sustainable environment in the emirate through sustained outreach and education. The Your Safety is Our Priority campaign is a clear manifestation of our duty to enhance a culture of safety, and to affirm that the conscious and responsible utilisation of energy is a joint responsibility between regulatory authorities and society.
“Prevention is rooted in community awareness. Therefore, this campaign was conceived to connect with people through straightforward language and actionable content that aids in reducing accidents and encourages the sustainable consumption of energy."
- Topic: PPE
- Region: Middle East
- Date: 11 July 2025
- Year: 2025
Industrial hand protection manufacturer SHOWA has launched its Sentinel by SHOWA hand protection programme across the EMEA region, to help employers reduce hand injuries, improve protection and identify cost-saving opportunities
Sentinel by SHOWA is a free of charge, two-stage process. It begins with a site-wide survey which identifies risk factors and potential improvements in hand protection, and makes recommendations tailored to the needs of each end user. Where required, this can be followed by a four-week structured trial, which enables end users to evaluate recommended SHOWA gloves against their current products in terms of comfort, dexterity, durability and suitability for specific tasks.
The programme also supports compliance with relevant health and safety legislation such as the EU PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and the Framework Directive 89/391/EEC, whereby employers are required to identify risks and provide appropriate personal protective equipment to their workforce.
High-risk sectors
The programme is specifically designed for large end users in high-risk sectors such as manufacturing, construction, transportation and energy, where at least 150 workers are using hand protection. Sentinel can help employers reduce the number of non-fatal injuries to hands and wrists, which account for 25% of non-fatal workplace injuries. It is already operating successfully in the US market, where customers have already seen measurable benefits. Wabtec Graham-White, for example, a leading manufacturer of pneumatic and electro-pneumatic components, saw a US$18,000 reduction in glove spend, a drop in hand injuries and a more sustainable approach to PPE selection through the introduction of SHOWA’s biodegradable EBT hand protection solutions.
“Sentinel by SHOWA provides a practical framework for engaging with workers and safety teams to ensure the right gloves are used for the right applications,” said Tony Lynch, vice president EMEA & USA from SHOWA. “By understanding user needs on site, testing against actual job demands, and following through with data-backed recommendations, we can improve safety performance and reduce incidents while helping customers optimise their PPE spend; and it’s all for free.”
- Date: 8 July, 2025
- Year: 2025
Qatar’s Ministry of Labour, through its Occupational Safety and Health Department, has partnered with the Workers' Support and Insurance Fund to launch the “Heat Stress Awareness Corner” in the Asian City and Industrial Area.
The initiative is part of a broader national effort to safeguard workers from the health risks posed by high temperatures during the summer season.
With a strong focus on outdoor labour sectors, the initiative reinforces the Ministry’s commitment to on-site education and the prevention of heat-related illnesses.
By delivering clear, multilingual safety guidance and practical tips, the Awareness Corner is designed to help workers recognise the dangers of heat stress and adopt preventive measures.
The Ministry highlighted the importance of direct engagement and collaboration with key partners to reach workers where they live and work.
Communication materials are offered in multiple languages to ensure accessibility and understanding across Qatar’s diverse workforce.
Workers are being urged to stay hydrated, take regular breaks, and seek medical help promptly if symptoms of heat stress appear, actions that are vital to preserving their health and wellbeing throughout the summer.
The Ministry of Labour and WSIF also partnered with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) to launch a nationwide heat awareness campaign and promote preventive measures during Qatar’s peak summer months.
Once again led by the Ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health Department, the campaign is directed at workers across high-risk sectors where prolonged exposure to heat can cause serious health problems. It underscores the government’s continued efforts to strengthen worker protection and promote safer working conditions through multi-agency collaboration.
A key focus of the campaign is educating workers to recognise early symptoms of heat stress such as dizziness, headache, excessive or absent sweating, fatigue, and loss of consciousness, and how to respond appropriately.
Ministry and healthcare experts participating in the campaign stressed the life-saving potential of these simple measures and the importance of prevention over reaction.
Employers are being urged to play a proactive role by delivering annual training on heat stress before summer, providing ample cold drinking water, creating shaded rest areas with ventilation, conducting medical check-ups, and collaborating with workers to assess risks.
This initiative is part of a wider series of safety campaigns spearheaded by the Ministry to foster a culture of occupational health, reduce risk in extreme conditions, and protect worker wellbeing, ensuring both resilience and productivity across sectors.