Middle East

• Topic: HSE
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 6 November, 2025
• Year: 2025

Tela, an agentic AI assistant, will be embedded across the SLB software and platform, automating select processes by applying a five-step process

That five-step agentic AI loop is built around five key processes: observation, planning, generation, action, and learning. Tela agents will be able to adapt to new data to improve efficiency outcomes in a vast number of use cases, from well log interpretation to drill issue prediction.

Rakesh Jaggi, SLB's president, digital and integration, introduced the new tool. "Technology like Tela marks a paradigm shift in how AI supports the energy industry, from subsurface to operations. Today, the industry faces a dual challenge: a leaner workforce and increased technical complexity, and Tela can address both.

"Tela doesn’t just automate tasks — it can understand goals, make decisions and take action. It’s the convergence of 100 years of domain science and cutting-edge digital technology, amplifying human ingenuity and redefining how work gets done."

Tela is now deployable across SLB software applications and platforms.

• Topic: HSE
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 5 November, 2025
• Year: 2025

India’s Ken Institute has outlined a range of measures that could be implemented to protect workers and elevate health and safety standards across Saudi Arabia’s NEOM mega project

In a 4 November article published on the training group’s website, entitled ‘Worker Safety Challenges at Saudi’s Neom Mega Project’, it highlighted several issues and challenges facing the scheme “with investigations revealing hazardous conditions, reported incidents of violence, accidents, and systemic abuses, especially for migrant workers.​“

As well as alleged labour abuses, key concerns also include environmental factors, given the project’s location in the Saudi desert with threats such as heat stress, hydration and dust control.

The institute outlined various mitigation measures, which, when combined as part of a comprehensive occupational health and safety plan, would effectively reduce worker exposure to environmental hazards and enhance overall safety and productivity.

Key recommendations

To prevent future worker deaths at Neom, Ken Institute issued the following recommendations, “combining best practices observed globally and Neom’s commitments”:

Strengthen safety culture and enforcement: Embed a culture of safety as a core value at all levels, ensuring workers feel empowered to report unsafe conditions without fear of retaliation; Enforce strict adherence to international health and safety laws and standards; Conduct frequent audits and inspections by independent third parties to verify compliance and effectiveness of safety protocols.

Anti-discrimination and anti-harassment protections:Implement zero-tolerance policies on harassment and discrimination; Establish clear reporting and redress mechanisms; Train all workers and supervisors on respectful workplace conduct; Improve training and awareness; Provide comprehensive safety training to all workers and supervisors using innovative technologies to enhance hazard recognition and emergency response skills; Promote ongoing education on use of personal protective equipment, machinery operation, and accident prevention techniques.​

Enhance working conditions: Limit work hours to provide mandatory breaks and enforce rest periods; Ensure worker accommodations include properly equipped health clinics and well-being facilities for timely medical care and mental health support; Implement smart safety technologies such as IoT-enabled helmets and proximity alert systems to monitor worker health and prevent accidents.​

Timely and full payment of wages: Employers must pay wages on time and in full, with reliable wage protection systems monitoring compliance to prevent wage theft or delayed payments.

Transparent incident reporting and accountability: Establish a robust whistleblower policy allowing workers and subcontractors to report unsafe practices confidentially; Investigate all accidents, injuries, and near-misses thoroughly, publish transparent reports, and take corrective actions promptly.​

Respect worker mobility and contractual rights: Convert temporary contracts beyond 90 days into full employment contracts, allowing workers to change employers and exit the country without prior employer approval, increasing worker agency and security.​

Regulatory and contractual measures: Ensure all contractors comply with Saudi labour laws and international conventions addressing occupational safety and workers’ rights; Prohibit wage theft, forced labor, and restrictions on job mobility, providing workers with legal protections and support.​

Emergency preparedness and response: Continuously update and rehearse emergency response plans tailored to the unique hazards of the site; Equip emergency teams with advanced communication tools and medical supplies to rapidly respond to accidents or health crises.​

“Implementing these recommendations can greatly reduce risks and fatalities at Neom by fostering a safer, healthier, and more accountable work environment,” Ken Institute noted.

• Topic: HSE
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 3 November, 2025
• Year: 2025

The Sustainable City — Yiti has celebrated 17 million safe working hours with no reported lost time injuries (LTIs)

Diamond Developers, the co-developers of the project in partnership with the Oman Tourism Development Company, announced the milestone.

It celebrated its rigid standards of health and safety on-site, recognising the role of partner Sustainable Development and Investment Company (SDIC).

Chief sales and marketing officer, Mahmoud Shehada, celebrated the event. "We believe operational excellence begins with people. Our goal is to deliver The Sustainable City – Yiti with uncompromising standards of quality and safety, ensuring timely progress and excellence in every detail, ensuring that everyone involved is supported with safety, respect, and wellbeing at the core."

SDIC's general manager, Eng. Abdelrahman ELHAG, added, "Safety is embedded into every stage of our on-site operations. Achieving 17 million LTI-free man-hours reflects the discipline, teamwork, and accountability of everyone working on The Sustainable City – Yiti.

"This milestone demonstrates that with the right systems, culture, and collaboration, large-scale construction can be delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest international standards."

The Sustainable City — Yiti is marketed as the world's first net-zero emission community, and is situated 30 kilometres from the Omani capital, Muscat. When it opens, the one million square metre community will host more than 10,000 residents in villas, townhouses, and apartments.

• Topic: HSE
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 31 October 2025
• Year: 2025

At the KSA HSE Conference in Riyadh on 9^th and 10^th September, 2025, Kharsan Al Salem, HSEQ Consultant and Traffic Diversions Project Director at Riyadh Municipality, delivered a compelling session on the importance of embedding a 'Safety First' culture in organisations in Saudi Arabia. His talk emphasised that safety must move beyond compliance and become an ingrained value guiding every decision and action in the workplace

“Safety First is to place health and safety and well-being of people above costs and speed and convenience,” Al Salem began. “It’s not just compliance — it should be a culture and value for each organisation.” He reminded attendees that this commitment is not optional but essential: “Everyone deserves to go home safe.”

Al Salem explained that safety-first cultures drive measurable benefits: reducing incidents, saving lives, and boosting productivity and morale. “Safety first matters because it reduces workplace incidents and saves lives, builds trust and reputation for the organisation, improves morale—workers feel valued and protected, and increases productivity,” he said.

He outlined three foundational pillars of a sustainable safety-first culture: leadership commitment, team empowerment, and open communication. “If one of these pillars is weak, the culture will not be sustainable,” he cautioned.

Leadership Commitment

According to Al Salem, leaders play a defining role in shaping organisational culture. “Leaders set the tone by their actions and priorities,” he said. “When leaders actively demonstrate commitment—wearing the right personal protective equipment, following procedures, participating in safety meetings—it sends a powerful message.” This visible involvement, he added, “builds trust and accountability. Employees see that safety is taken seriously, and they feel motivated to follow suit.”

Team Empowerment

Empowering employees to take ownership of safety responsibilities was Al Salem’s second pillar. “Team empowerment is about giving employees ownership of their safety responsibility,” he explained. Providing proper training, resources, and fostering collaboration enables teams to prevent incidents before they happen. “Empowered teams are engaged and proactive,” he said, emphasising the importance of open dialogue where everyone feels comfortable raising safety concerns.

Open Communication

The third pillar, open communication, ensures a transparent and blame-free environment. “Organisations must create a safe environment where employees can report incidents or near misses without fear of retaliation,” Al Salem said. Sharing lessons learned and maintaining feedback loops, he added, “helps everyone improve, so safety processes evolve based on real experience.”

Al Salem also highlighted progress within Saudi Arabia. “Safety culture is gaining momentum, supported by government regulation and initiatives focused on workplace safety,” he noted. According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, 66% of establishments now comply with the Occupational Safety and Health system. Additionally, nine ministerial decisions and 41 new regulations have been implemented in the field, contributing to a drop in occupational injuries from 416 to 287 per 100,000 workers and a reduction in fatality rates from 3.8 to 1.12 per 100,000 workers.

Closing his session, Al Salem urged attendees to lead by example and commit to continuous improvement. “Leaders should lead by example every day. Teams must feel empowered to speak up and share their concerns. Together, fostering a culture of continuous improvement will make our workplaces safer and more productive,” he concluded.

Through his address, Al Salem underscored that a true “Safety First” culture is not a slogan—it is a shared value, practised daily, and essential for sustainable organisational success in Saudi Arabia’s evolving industries.

• Date: 29 October, 2025
• Year: 2025

SafeStart International, a global leader in human factors training and safety performance improvement, is strengthening its presence in the Middle East with a series of initiatives aimed at transforming workplace safety culture.

Following the success of its recent Riyadh session, the organisation will host a two-day health and safety workshop at Millennium Downtown Abu Dhabi from 25-26 November 2025.

With more than 25 years of experience across 75 countries, SafeStart International has built a reputation for its pioneering work in human error reduction.

Founded by Larry Wilson, a leading voice in behavioural safety, the company helps organisations move beyond compliance and mechanical safeguards by addressing the human side of safety, focusing on the cognitive and behavioural factors that drive most incidents. SafeStart’s human factors training has been adopted by over 4,500 organisations worldwide, improving safety performance in industries such as oil and gas, manufacturing, construction, and utilities.

At the upcoming Abu Dhabi workshop, Larry Wilson will be joined by Sarah Stoker, development director at SafeStart International. Stoker brings more than two decades of operational and safety consulting experience and has played a key role in embedding SafeStart principles across organisations of varying sizes. Together, Wilson and Stoker will lead participants through interactive discussions, case studies, and practical exercises that explore how to identify and prevent critical errors before they occur.

The event will also feature a certification component for participants who complete the training and demonstrate mastery of key safety concepts. Unlike conventional compliance-based programmes, SafeStart’s approach focuses on strengthening situational awareness, improving decision-making, and fostering personal accountability for safety both at work and beyond.

The Abu Dhabi workshop follows a successful event in Riyadh held from 21-22 October, which drew participation from leading industry professionals and reinforced regional interest in proactive safety culture development.

At the workshop in Riyadh, participants explored practical techniques to reduce human error and improve workplace safety through interactive sessions and real-world case studies.

To support its growing footprint in the Middle East, SafeStart has appointed Anmol Tiwari as a dedicated regional resource, responsible for strengthening partnerships and supporting implementation across the Gulf. With over 15 years in sales consulting for wealth management, Anmol possesses a deep understanding of high-performance client relationships.

He uniquely merges this expertise with his role as a Safestart Trainer, specialising in the human factors approach to safety. Having worked in both Canada and the GCC region, Anmol offers a global perspective on enhancing human performance, reducing error, and building foundational strength within organisations. He is dedicated to creating cultures where safety and commercial excellence go hand-in-hand.

^{Anmol Tiwari, territory manager & consultant, Middle East & Africa (MENA), SafeStart International}

With major safety-focused events such as the HSE MENA 2025 in Dubai from 18-19 November highlighting the region’s commitment to human performance and risk reduction, SafeStart’s expanding activities mark a significant step in advancing behavioural safety standards across the Middle East.

The company will be one of the sponsors for the conference, which is a leading regional gathering focused on health, safety and environmental best practices, bringing together practitioners, regulators and industry leaders to share insights and innovations across the Middle East and North Africa. 

Seats for the Abu Dhabi workshop are limited. You can register here. 

• Topic: HSE
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 27 October, 2025
• Year: 2025

The Emirates Petroleum Company has announced a strategic partnership with MegaTrade to continue its global expansion

MegaTrade is an Armenia-based fuel and energy company, and will cooperate with Emarat to launch the energy retail brand in Armenia.

Several Emarat-branded service stations, which hope to embody the Emirati company's forward-thinking and globally benchmarked health, safety and operational standards, will launch across Armenia.

Chairman of SIL Capital (of which MegaTrade is a flagship entity), Eduard Sukiasyan, described the partnership as "a new chapter in Armenia’s fuel and energy sector.

"By combining Emarat’s international expertise with the capabilities of SIL Capital and MegaTrade, we will deliver services that meet the highest global standards. In a rapidly evolving environment, our goal is clear: to offer Armenian consumers nothing but the best.

"This partnership will establish Emarat as a new benchmark for energy services in Armenia."

Sukiasyan was in attendance at the signing ceremony for the new partnership, along with H.E. Tigran Avinyan, Mayor of Yerevan, and H.E. Dr. Nariman Mohd Sharif Abdulla Al Mulla, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Armenia. He co-signed the agreement with H.E. Ali Khalifa Al Shamsi, Emarat's CEO.

Al Shamsi added, "This partnership underscores Emarat’s commitment to delivering value for stakeholders, empowering communities, and strengthening regional cooperation."

Emarat's regional expansion has seen it expand beyond the UAE into Egypt; Armenia is the first expansion point outside of the Middle East and North Africa.

• Date: 22 October, 2025
• Year: 2025

UL Solutions, a global leader in applied safety science, and GCC Technical Services Company (TS Co.), a leading integrated testing, inspection and certification service provider in the Middle East, have announced an enhanced strategic partnership aimed at advancing fire safety across the Gulf region.

As part of this collaboration, TS Co., an affiliate of GCC Labs, has been officially recognised as part of the UL Witness Test Data Program (WTDP) for fire safety. Under this programme, TS Co. will carry out critical fire safety tests at its laboratories in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, under the direct supervision of UL Solutions engineers on-site. UL Solutions will assess the laboratory, review the test data and use the verified results to grant certification and authorise the use of the UL Mark.

This locally based testing approach removes the need to ship product samples abroad, significantly reducing potential time-to-market for manufacturers throughout the region.

“This important step in the evolution of our collaboration with TS Co. will allow UL Solutions to effectively utilise their Dammam facility, strengthening fire safety and conformity services throughout Saudi Arabia and the greater Gulf region,” said Patrick Abgrall, director and regional general manager of the Built Environment group at UL Solutions.

Headquartered in Dammam, TS Co. supports major manufacturing industries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as in neighbouring markets. The company provides testing and certification services for fire safety to help demonstrate the safety, reliability and efficiency of equipment.

The expanded partnership comes at a pivotal moment as Saudi Arabia accelerates its Vision 2030 agenda, a national strategy driving large-scale development. Landmark projects include the futuristic city of NEOM, tourism destinations such as the Red Sea and THE RIG as well as the New Murabba project, which will establish a modern downtown in Riyadh.

Meanwhile, preparations continue for global events with new World Cup stadiums and Expo venues. Together, these giga-projects represent investments exceeding $1.5 trillion and demand adherence to the highest international fire and life safety standards. The collaboration between UL Solutions and TS Co. will be vital in meeting these requirements through advanced, locally delivered fire safety testing and certification.

“By combining UL Solutions' global leadership in safety science with our deep regional expertise, we are creating an unparalleled value proposition for the market,” said Khalaf Masaeed, Chief Executive Officer of TS Co. “This alliance will streamline product evaluation and certification, ensuring that the ambitious construction projects in our region are built with materials and systems that meet the highest international safety standards.”

• Topic: HSE
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 20 October 2025
• Year: 2025

The UAE’s National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) has launched the “Emergency and Crisis Atlas” at GITEX GLOBAL 2025, an integrated digital platform designed to enhance the speed and effectiveness of national response efforts

The initiative is part of NCEMA’s broader efforts to advance sustainable digital transformation in emergency and crisis management, through the adoption of advanced, data-driven geospatial solutions that enhance national resilience and build a more prepared and sustainable society.

The Emergency and Crisis Atlas leverages the latest artificial intelligence technologies, developed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies. It aims to strengthen national capabilities in risk forecasting, enhance preparedness and readiness, and improve the efficiency of response operations across various emergency scenarios. The integrated geospatial platform features over 40 specialised applications that cover different aspects of national risks. It provides advanced analytical tools that support strategic decision-making across all stages of crisis management. The system also offers interactive and analytical maps that visually present comprehensive data on risks, infrastructure, and vital resources across the country, empowering decision-makers to take accurate, data-driven actions.

The platform enables NCEMA personnel and strategic partners to perform advanced predictive analytics, build assumptions and multiple scenarios, forecast risks, and assess their impacts using precise analytical tools. It also assists relevant entities in identifying optimal readiness levels for each scenario and provides practical solutions to mitigate risk consequences 

His Excellency Ali Rashid Al Neyadi, director general of the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, stated, “The Emergency and Crisis Atlas is one of the Authority’s leading technological projects, embodying our direction toward harnessing advanced technology to enhance the national readiness and response system. The platform goes beyond displaying spatial data, it is a sophisticated analytical tool that builds proactive scenarios, tests the readiness of national plans, and supports decision-making based on accurate data and AI technologies."

Al Neyadi added that the Authority continues its efforts to develop the next generation of the Emergency and Crisis Atlas to be more interactive and integrated with national digital systems, thereby supporting intelligent monitoring, analysis, and response capabilities. He also noted that NCEMA is currently working on developing a geospatial simulation application, set to be launched soon, focusing on simulating flood risks in the most vulnerable areas. The goal is to study their impacts and build proactive models that help mitigate their effects and boost early preparedness.

• Topic: HSE
• Region: Middle East
• Date: 14 October 2025
• Year: 2025

EMSTEEL has won the Safety Culture and Leadership Award 2025 by the World Steel Association (worldsteel) in recognition of its Group-wide best-in-class health and safety protocols

EMSTEEL was recognised for its “AMAN 2.0 – Achieving Safety Excellence” project, which introduced a comprehensive framework integrating advanced leadership, operational excellence, and digital safety tools to drive continuous improvement.

Implemented from 2023 to 2024, AMAN 2.0 has enabled EMSTEEL to achieve tangible improvements in safety governance, employee awareness and competence, safety risk management, contractor safety, asset integrity, and process safety. The project achieved a Zero Lost-Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR), a 52% reduction in Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIFR), and marked progress across leading indicators — including a 35% increase in near-miss reporting, a 31% rise in hazard observations (from 17,500 in 2022 to 23,000 in 2024), a 100% increase in safety leadership training participation, and a 100% compliance rate in third-party safety audits and inspections.

Engineer Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group Chief Executive Officer of EMSTEEL, said, “We are honoured to win this outstanding award given by the world’s leading global steel association for the second time. At the heart of our business priorities are the health and safety and well-being of our people. AMAN 2.0 epitomises EMSTEEL’s commitment to workplace safety and continuous performance improvement, setting a new benchmark for the company’s safety excellence journey. Employee engagement, cross-functional collaboration, and senior management sponsorship remain key to its ongoing success. ”

This achievement builds on EMSTEEL's history of safety excellence, which includes receiving the Safety and Health Excellence Recognition award from the World Steel Association in 2021 for outstanding performance in Crane Operations and Rigging Safety.

• Date: 13 October, 2025
• Year: 2025

The International Code Council (ICC) successfully took part in Urban October 2025, held alongside the Home and Building Expo at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre from 6-8 October 2025.

During the event, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MoHUP) launched the National Building Requirements and Standards Guide, a unified framework consolidating safety, quality, and sustainability standards across Oman’s governorates.

Organised by MoHUP, Urban October brings together local, regional, and international experts to promote sustainable urban development and address the challenges and opportunities of urbanisation in the Sultanate.

At the event, ICC engaged with government representatives, industry leaders, and technical experts to advance discussions on implementing building codes, regulations, and sustainable construction practices that contribute to safer, more resilient communities.

The Council’s participation underscores its ongoing collaboration with Oman’s designated authorities to strengthen building safety and construction standards. Throughout 2024 and 2025, ICC conducted a series of workshops and training sessions in Muscat, supporting the Sultanate’s efforts to enhance safety, innovation, and sustainability within the construction sector.

• Date: 10 October, 2025
• Year: 2025

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, has issued a Federal Decree Law establishing the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defence, alongside a Federal Decree appointing His Excellency Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, as its Chairman.

The newly formed Authority, which enjoys legal personality, financial and administrative independence, and the capacity to act in accordance with UAE law, will report directly to the Cabinet. It replaces the Civil Defence Authority and the National Guard Command in matters related to the National Ambulance Company (NA).

The Decree Law clearly defines the Authority’s responsibilities, making it the central body for all ambulance and civil defence affairs. Its remit includes proposing and developing policies, strategies, and legislation related to ambulance and civil defence, in coordination with local authorities and relevant entities, and submitting these proposals to the Cabinet for approval.

The Authority is also tasked with assessing potential incidents, risks, and disasters, and preparing management plans in coordination with the National Emergency, Crisis, and Disasters Management Authority. Risk‑prevention programmes, necessary infrastructure controls, and operational plans for mitigating hazards will be developed in collaboration with competent authorities.

Important tasks

A key function of the Authority is to safeguard buildings and facilities through fire protection systems and security controls. These regulations, developed in coordination with local authorities, relevant entities, the Central Bank of the UAE, and other bodies, will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval.

Among the Authority’s core competences is the establishment of a national alert system to inform the population of potential hazards. It will also develop and supervise evacuation plans, coordinate shelter management, and work with internal security and safety systems (including oil companies, airports, and other critical infrastructure) to organise joint emergency response plans and support mechanisms.

The Authority will further oversee training and awareness programmes, including mock drills and joint exercises, for both qualified personnel and volunteers. It is charged with monitoring radiological, chemical, and biological threats in both peacetime and wartime, providing consultancy services in ambulance and civil defence, and maintaining a comprehensive database of relevant information in coordination with other authorities.

The Decree Law clarifies that while the Federal Authority assumes these responsibilities, it does not limit the powers of local authorities to implement ambulance and civil defence measures under existing legislation.

By centralising ambulance and civil defence functions under a single federal body, the UAE aims to strengthen its national preparedness for emergencies and disasters, enhance coordination across authorities, and ensure the safety of residents and critical infrastructure nationwide.

• Date: 7 October, 2025
• Year: 2025

Jonathan Chipps, managing director at Jincom Arabia, delivered a compelling presentation at the HSE KSA Forum in Riyadh, focusing on transforming health and safety training through visualisation and digital engagement.

His core message centred on making technical safety content more accessible, engaging, and understandable for diverse workforces.

Chipps highlighted a critical challenge in safety training: technical content developed by subject matter experts is often complex and difficult to comprehend, especially for workers from different linguistic and educational backgrounds. He emphasised that migrant workers are 66% more likely to make mistakes due to instruction misunderstandings and four times more likely to experience fatal accidents.

The solution, according to Chipps, lies in visualising and simplifying technical content. He explained that human brains are wired to process visual information rapidly, since we remember 65% of visual content compared to only 10-20% of text or verbal information. By transforming dense technical manuals into graphic-rich, simplified formats, organisations can dramatically improve safety comprehension and engagement.

Chipps showcased various visualisation techniques, including:

- Visual standards
- Short animated videos
- Interactive e-learning modules
- Toolbox talk guides
- Virtual reality training content
- Multilingual safety materials

"It's about making sure that you're taking technical information and making it relevant, engaging, and easily understood," Chipps said. 

Delivering safety information

He also stressed the importance of digital content delivery, enabling organisations to track training engagement, ensure consistent messaging across multiple contractors and languages, and integrate safety content with existing management platforms.

Practical examples from projects with Neom and Red Sea Global demonstrated how Jincom develops comprehensive safety content libraries translated into multiple languages, using minimal text and powerful visuals to communicate critical safety information.

Chipps highlighted his philosophy: "Pictures speak the most universally understood language," echoing Walt Disney's perspective on visual communication.

Chipps concluded by emphasising that effective safety training is not complicated, as it requires simplifying technical content, visualising key messages, translating materials, and digitising delivery mechanisms to ensure maximum comprehension and engagement across diverse workforce populations.

His presentation offered a innovative approach to reimagining safety training, moving beyond traditional text-heavy methods to create more intuitive, memorable, and impactful learning experiences.