Sidebar

cc.web.local
cc.web.local

Sign up for our newsletter

Invalid Input

Middle East

Middle East

Riyadh_Metro_rolling_stock

  • Topic: HSE
  • Region: Middle East
  • Date: 1st December 2025
  • Year: 2025
The treatment of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia is again under the spotlight following the publishing of a new report by Amnesty International.
 
The 42-page report focuses on migrant workers on the Riyadh Metro project who, it claims, were forced to pay exorbitant recruitment fees, worked in dangerous heat and earned pitiful wages during a decade of abuse.
 
The report — titled ‘Nobody wants to work in these situations: A decade of exploitation on the Riyadh Metro project’ — documents labour abuses on one of Saudi’s flagship infrastructure projects.
 
Promoted as the ‘backbone’ of Riyadh’s public transport system, the newly opened metro was built by leading international and Saudi firms under government direction and is slated for further expansion.
 
However, many of the workers Amnesty interviewed were charged illegal fees to secure work and then endured long, arduous hours in sometimes unsafe conditions for minimal, discriminatory pay.
 
It claimed it spoke to 38 men from Bangladesh, India and Nepal who were employed by a range of foreign and Saudi companies, including main contractors, subcontractors and labour suppliers, between 2014 and 2025.
 
Many workers reported facing various abuses, such as passport confiscation, overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions, poor-quality food, and discriminatory treatment based on job rank.
 
For nearly all, the abuse started before they left home, but continued upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.
 
“The Riyadh Metro is hailed as the backbone of the capital’s transport system, yet beneath its sleek exterior lies a decade of abuses enabled by a labour system that sacrifices migrant workers’ human rights,” said Marta Schaaf, Amnesty International’s Director for Climate, Economic Social Justice and Corporate Accountability.
 
Schaaf added that it exposes a glaring failure by the government to enforce protections and dismantle a system that leaves workers at high risk of exploitation.
 
The report also flagged inspections that focus more on compliance with Saudization targets and the legality of migrant workers’ employment status than on safeguarding rights.
 
“As Saudi Arabia pushes ahead with high-profile giga-projects, including the 2034 World Cup, the authorities must completely dismantle the kafala sponsorship system and rigorously enforce labour laws in line with global human rights standards,” said Schaaf.
 
“Strengthening safeguards and ensuring accountability for the millions of migrant workers who make these ventures possible is the only way to ensure they are no longer treated as disposable.”
 
For companies operating in Saudi Arabia, the findings should alsoserve as a clear warning.
 
“Without robust processes in place early on and an adequate plan to address any human rights concerns, businesses risk being directly linked or contributing to systematic labour abuses,” Schaaf added.
 
Saudi_man_cheering_football_stadium

  • Topic: HSE
  • Region: Middle East
  • Date: 1st December 2025
  • Year: 2025
The Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) trade union, which has previously criticised FIFA for awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, has signed a new five-year collaboration agreement with the global football federation.
 
The partnership, which runs though to 2030, sets a framework for joint inspections, training, and reporting to promote decent and safe working conditions for all workers involved in the construction and renovation of stadiums and other infrastructure linked to FIFA tournaments.
 
The agreement, signed recently by BWI President Per-Olof Sjöö and FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström, establishes a formal structure for cooperation between both organisations.
 
“This agreement builds on years of experience and critical partnership,” said Ambet Yuson, BWI’s General Secretary. “It provides a clear process not only to monitor but also to prevent and remedy abuses, ensuring that commitments to human rights translate into concrete improvements for workers.”
 
The two organisations also worked together in Qatar, which hosted the 2022 World Cup, to work toward improved labour standards.
 
However, the BWI later criticised FIFA for not seeing through further changes in Qatar, as well as the decision to hand the 2034 tournament to Saudi Arabia.
 
According to international media, Yuson, cited by The Guardian newspaper, accused FIFA of conducting a bidding process “without any robust assessment” and saying the tournament left the risk of a “permanent stain in the world of sport.”
 
Under the latest accord, BWI and FIFA will conduct joint labour inspections of FIFA World Cup and other worksites and undertake training and capacity building for workers’ representatives, grievance handling, and occupational health and safety.
 
BWI said in a statement that the new agreement consolidates previous experiences from past tournaments into a formal platform for dialogue, monitoring, prevention and remedy, ensuring lessons learned are applied and that violations, where identified, are addressed in a transparent and timely way.
 
With upcoming confirmed global tournaments in Canada, Mexico and the United States (2026), Brazil (2027), Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay (2030), North and Central America (2031), and Saudi Arabia (2034), the collaboration will be implemented across diverse political and industrial contexts.
 
Both organisations acknowledge the importance of maintaining transparency, accountability, and constructive engagement to ensure that workers’ rights are respected throughout the relevant supply chains, noted FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström.
 
“Like BWI, FIFA takes workers’ rights very seriously. It is essential that all workers involved in projects connected to FIFA tournaments enjoy good working conditions, a fair income, safety in the workplace, social protection and integration. We want to ensure that everyone benefits when a country hosts a FIFA tournament, and that includes those who build the infrastructure.”
 
 
H.E. Khalfan Abdullah Al Mansoori, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Hazardous Materials Management Centre, and H.E. Dr. Tariq Ahmed Al Ameri, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority signing an MoU at the headquarters of the Hazardous Materials Management Centre.

  • Topic: HSE
  • Region: Middle East
  • Date: December 1, 2025
  • Year: 2025

The memorandum of understanding, signed by H.E. Khalfan Abdullah Al Mansoori, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Hazardous Materials Management Centre, and H.E. Dr. Tariq Ahmed Al Ameri, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), will hope to establish a framework for best practices in hazardous material handling and management

Both organisations will contribute to the comprehensive framework, which will include joint initiatives, streamlined regulation, and technical data and information exchange.

ADAFSA acting general director, H.E. Dr. Tariq Ahmed Al Ameri, said shortly after signing the MoU, "Through this partnership, we will work to develop integrated systems for hazardous materials management, streamline regulatory procedures, and provide a safe environment for farmers, livestock breeders and producers.

"This will contribute to improving operational efficiency, enhancing the quality of agricultural and food production, and strengthening its competitiveness in the markets."

Several strategic initatives are expected to follow the MoU; potential avenues include joint research, digital transformation projects, and environmental schemes. It follows the establishment of the Abu Dhabi Hazardous Materials Management Centre in 2023, and its more recent strategic pivot.

H.E. Khalfan Abdullah Al Mansoori, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Hazardous Materials Management Centre, concluded, "The signing of this MoU represents a strategic step that strengthens Abu Dhabi’s efforts to build an integrated system for hazardous materials management... managing the circulation of these materials in accordance with international standards reduces operational risks and enables investment institutions to operate within a stable and reliable regulatory environment, supporting Abu Dhabi’s competitiveness and attracting more high-quality investments."

  • Date: 26 November, 2025
  • Year: 2025

Penta Global, a UAE-based EPC construction company, has released a new report titled Mind Matters in Construction: The State of Mental Health and Wellbeing in the UAE, highlighting the need for a more coordinated and standardised approach to worker wellbeing across the industry.

The construction sector contributes more than 9% of the UAE’s GDP and employs over 1.8mn workers, most of whom are expatriates. Despite its scale, Penta Global’s report finds that mental health remains an underaddressed area of worker welfare, even as awareness and initiatives continue to grow.

The report notes that untreated mental illness leads to at least 37.5mn lost productive days annually across the GCC, amounting to US$3.5bn in economic losses. It also references research showing that construction workers who work beyond eight-hour shifts are 2.7 times more likely to report symptoms of depression.

Sujay Nair, Executive Director at Penta Global, said: “This report takes an in-depth look at the mental health realities of the construction workforce. There is a clear growing recognition of employee mental wellness as a strategic priority in the UAE and globally. It highlights the progress made but also the need for change, shared accountability, and sustained attention to the wellbeing of the people building the UAE’s future. So, we are calling on the industry to come together and make the change together to foster a culture of care in construction.”

The study highlights uneven access to wellbeing programmes, with major contractors investing significantly in safety and mental health support, while smaller subcontractors often lack formal frameworks or dedicated budgets.

Government-led reforms, including the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031, the 2024 Mental Health Law, and the Dubai Health Authority’s Mental Wealth Framework—are accelerating improvements. Abu Dhabi has reported a 30% rise in mental health treatment uptake since 2022.

Penta Global aims to shift the industry focus from awareness to action, urging the sector to increase wellbeing data and transparency, collaborate on unified standards, and prioritise prevention over reactive responses. By enhancing data, strengthening industry-wide collaboration, and addressing root causes of stress and fatigue, the UAE construction sector can set a global benchmark for sustainable and human-centric development.

swarm_of_drones

  • Topic: HSE
  • Region: Middle East
  • Date: 24 November 2025
  • Year: 2025

ADNOC, Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and ASPIRE, have launched a pilot project to test and deploy coordinated drone fleets for rapid aerial disaster monitoring, in a move toward integrating autonomous systems into live emergency operations

Under the agreement, signed during Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week 2025, TII working in partnership with ADNOC and supported by ASPIRE, will pioneer a system that provides ADNOC’s Crisis Management Center with real-time aerial intelligence during emergency situations. The initiative integrates autonomous, long-range, and swarm-based drone operations into one unified framework.

Drones stationed at ADNOC sites will be able to take off and stream live video directly to headquarters. Wider monitoring and long-range incident response will be handled by long-range autonomous drones launched from ADNOC’s network of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) hubs as well as smaller drones, linked back to ADNOC’s headquarters, enabling coverage across the country. In the event of large-scale incidents, fleets of autonomous drones can also be rapidly deployed via a mothership to scan extensive areas within a matter of minutes searching for stranded people and offering them connectivity and informational support.

By combining these capabilities, the project will allow ADNOC to reduce response times, increase situational awareness and minimise risk to frontline personnel. The collaboration could transform how critical infrastructure operators across the UAE and beyond safeguard their people and assets.

“Emergencies demand speed and clarity, and this collaboration is about delivering both. By combining ADNOC’s operational expertise with ARRC’s advanced robotics, we are showing how coordinated drone systems can provide immediate, actionable insights when they matter most. For Abu Dhabi, this is not just a pilot; it is an example of how applied R&D can turn deep tech into life-saving solutions that redefine resilience in critical industries,” said Andrew Strefford, executive director at ASPIRE.

“What we are building with ADNOC is a coordinated, multi-layered system that integrates autonomous, long-range, and swarm operations into one seamless framework. By plugging directly into ADNOC’s Crisis Management Center, we are validating technologies that could be scaled across the wider energy and utilities sectors,” said Prof. Enrico Natalizio, chief researcher of TII’s Autonomous Robotics Research Center.

“ADNOC continues to leverage advanced technologies including drones and robotics to enhance the safety and efficiency of our people and operations. Through this partnership with TII and ASPIRE, we will explore how coordinated drone fleets can be deployed to provide real-time intelligence across our value chain and better protect our people and assets,” said Khaled Alblooshi- vice president, Digital Projects and innovations, ADNOC.

  • Date: 17 November, 2025
  • Year: 2025

UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has outlined five essential safety requirements that all workers must follow at job sites, stressing that adherence to protective measures is not simply procedural but a critical necessity to safeguard workers and those around them.

MoHRE stated that workers must wear a helmet, safety vest, protective footwear, safety goggles, and ear protection against noise, according to a report by Gulf News. 

These requirements form part of an integrated occupational health and safety framework aligned with Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 regulating labour relations, its executive regulations, and related ministerial decisions. The law also sets out a full range of preventive measures to be implemented at workplaces and labour accommodations.

MoHRE emphasised that the UAE places strong importance on creating a safe and attractive work environment, supported by proactive legislation governing workplace safety and labour accommodation. “Occupational health and safety is a top priority for the ministry, which strictly enforces the law against any violations,” MoHRE said, highlighting initiatives such as the Wage Protection System, which safeguards workers’ rights and ensures timely salary payments. The ministry added that strengthening health and safety practices enhances the UAE’s global competitiveness, boosts productivity, and supports a stable skilled workforce that drives economic growth.

Key safety rules

The report noted that MoHRE has identified four official channels for reporting occupational safety violations: the call centre (600590000), the MoHRE smart application, the official website, and the ministry’s verified social media platforms.

The Occupational Health and Safety Manual requires employers to provide appropriate protective equipment to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and fire hazards, and to comply with all preventive measures issued by the ministry. Companies must display detailed safety instructions in Arabic and other languages where necessary, in visible areas of the workplace, along with warning signs near hazardous locations.

Employers must also appoint qualified first-aid supervisors, maintain fully equipped first-aid kits, and ensure adequate fire prevention and firefighting tools suitable for their operations. They are required to regularly assess workplace conditions to ensure sufficient protection for workers and take practical steps to reduce or eliminate risks.

The guidelines further highlight precautions against falling objects, sharp tools, high temperatures, flammable materials, compressed gases, and electrical hazards.

a_man_standing_behind_a_grey_background

  • Date: 12 November, 2025
  • Year: 2025

Penta Global, a leading player in the energy and construction sectors based in Abu Dhabi, is taking a pioneering stance on the mental health and well-being of blue-collar workers, an area that has long been overlooked in the industry.

Under the stewardship of executive director Sujay Nair, the company has made decisive moves to place people at the heart of its operations, urging the broader sector to move beyond compliance into genuine care for workforce welfare.

Traditionally, the focus within construction has been on health, safety, and environmental compliance, which are essentials for industry accreditation and operational soundness.

However, as Nair notes, there is still a considerable gap when it comes to mental well-being.

Sparked by thought leadership at a British Safety Council event, Nair and his team recognised this imbalance and responded by commissioning a comprehensive report on mental health in the construction sector, particularly concerning blue-collar workers.

The research process was revealing. Penta Global discovered significant data concerning the mental health of workers in the UAE, which were mostly collected via major firms and government-driven initiatives.

Over the past three years, the UAE government has enacted policies specifically focused on mental health, providing a strong foundation, but there remains much to build upon.

To bring attention to their findings and to inspire collaborative industry action, Penta Global hosted a roundtable during ADIPEC this year.

The session brought together stakeholders from leading organisations, government entities, and multinational firms.

Surprisingly, it emerged that while individual companies were implementing well-being programmes, there was little cross-industry communication or centralisation of best practices.

“We haven’t got that communication to have a centralised kind of policy which addresses these issues,” Nair observed, underscoring the need for a coordinated approach.

A collaborative approach

Beyond research and dialogue, Penta Global brought creativity to advocacy through their event booth, which featured a punching bag competition.

For every punch, the company pledged a donation to a local mental health initiative, blending fun physical activity with vital fundraising and awareness.

This approach speaks to the company’s ethos of focusing not only on compliance but also on positive engagement and long-term change.

Physical activity, notes Nair, is well-proven to enhance mental well-being, and this tie-in made the abstract more accessible and actionable.

The challenges are multifaceted. There are deeply rooted stigmas, language barriers, and fears of job security that deter workers from voicing concerns.

Nair stresses the need for education and open conversations, suggesting that integrating mental health into routine “toolbox talks” could be one practical step forward.

“If we can come together as an industry,” Nair asserts, “we can really drive meaningful change. And I think that’s the most important thing that came out [from the roundtable discussion].”

Looking ahead, Penta Global plans to share the outcomes of their roundtable widely and continue engaging with both industry leaders and social enterprises.

The goal is to drive policy toward preventative approaches rather than reactive ones, making mental health a shared responsibility.

By leading these efforts, Penta Global not only enhances its own culture but also sets a precedent for the entire sector to follow.

Arab_men_visiting_medical_facility_with woman_demonstrating_equipment

  • Topic: HSE
  • Region: Middle East
  • Date: 13 November 2025
  • Year: 2025

ENOC Group has opened a new ENOC Medical Fitness and Occupational Health Services Centre (EOHSC) in Jebel Ali, in collaboration with Dubai Health, to support the health and wellbeing of its employees and the local industrial sector

The new centre will deliver advanced medical fitness and occupational health screenings across the Group. The range of occupational health services offered includes pre-employment medical examinations, periodic health assessments, medical surveillance programmes for workplace hazards, vaccinations, health screenings, and wellness initiatives tailored to industrial workforce requirements. The Centre will also serve as a hub for visa-related medical services, facilitating the streamlining of administrative processes for employees across the sector.

Hussain Sultan Lootah, acting CEO at ENOC Group, said, “The launch of the new ENOC Medical Fitness and Occupational Health Services Centre underscores our unwavering commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of all our employees, as we strive for a productive, healthy, safe and secure work environment for all. The collaboration with Dubai Health reinforces our shared vision of creating safer, healthier work environments for both ENOC employees and the wider industrial community in Jebel Ali, aligning with Dubai's commitment to workplace safety.”

Khalifa Baqer, chief operations officer at Dubai Health, added, “The new Medical Fitness and Occupational Health Services Centre represents collaboration across Dubai’s sectors and reflects our vision of fostering healthier communities through preventive and diagnostic care. This partnership supports the well-being of the workforce in vital industries, enhances their quality of life and productivity, and demonstrates our commitment to building an integrated healthcare system that advances health for humanity.

“We look forward to this clinic playing an active role in contributing to a safe and sustainable work environment for the workforce in Jebel Ali.”

SLB headquarters in San Felipe.

  • 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.

The Sustainable City – Yiti, Oman’s flagship sustainable development and the region’s pioneering net-zero emissions community, has achieved a major construction milestone. image courtesy: The Sustainable City – Yiti

  • 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.

Kharsan Alsalem, HSEQ Consultant and Traffic Diversions Project Director at Riyadh Municipality, on stage at HSE KSA 2025.

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

At the KSA HSE Conference in Riyadh on 9th and 10th 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.

Page 2 of 13