Middle East

• Date: 22 January, 2025
• Year: 2025

As Saudi Arabia continues its unprecedented infrastructure boom, with ambition fuelled firmly by Vision 2030, the Kingdom continues to accelerate its already significant strides in HSE standards amidst its growing workforce, project volume, and infrastructure complexity.

The speed at which Saudi operators have adopted, and continue to integrate, cutting-edge technology into their HSE frameworks can not be understated in developing rigorous monitoring and enforcement processes around workplace safety.

Wearable devices tracking safety and health metrics and AI-driven systems predicting hazards or safety weakpoints are two such examples that may have been dismissed as the stuff of science fiction as little as a decade ago. They are now the benchmark for project safety protocols across Saudi Arabia.

Operators' ability to train, share best practices and raise awareness is key, too; comprehensive training programmes, industry gatherings and widespread multi-lingual resources have been key to raising standards amidst a rapidly growing, multi-national workforce.

Government bodies like the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the National Center for Industrial Development have also had a role to play in legislating such standards and enforcing them in law.

As the calendar approaches 2030 much quicker than many would like, Saudi Arabia's commitment to setting, enforcing and raising HSE standards positions it as a transformative beacon for the global construction sector.

• Region: Middle East
• Date: 17 January, 2025
• Year: 2025

Oil and gas companies in the region are leveraging advanced technologies to prioritise health and safety while boosting operational efficiency.

ADNOC, for instance, has ramped up its use of innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI), advanced analytics, and robotic automation. By employing AI-powered modelling and analysis, the company effectively monitors business continuity strategies and encourages critical health, safety, and environmental (HSE) practices.

Key initiatives include VR-based fire-fighting training and the use of robotic fire-fighting equipment to reduce risks for personnel, as well as in-vehicle monitoring systems that promote safer driving habits—achieving a remarkable 99% reduction in driving violations since 2021. ADNOC has also equipped its rigs with smart glasses to provide real-time video sharing and easy access to technical documents, alongside an electronic work management system with over 100 integrated safety features.

At Aramco’s Yanbu Refinery, drones and robotics are transforming confined space inspections. By deploying specialised caged drones, the refinery has eliminated the need for human entry and scaffolding, significantly enhancing safety and minimising downtime. Across its facilities, Aramco operates over 100 drones to inspect assets and monitor for potential methane leaks, aligning with its emission reduction goals.

Better training

In the maritime industry, Drydocks World has redefined employee education on HSE by adopting technologies such as virtual reality (VR) training, artificial intelligence, and mobile learning. These innovative methods, recognised by the Shiptek ‘Best HSE Initiative’ award, have enhanced training engagement and improved workplace safety outcomes.

Similarly, P&O Maritime Logistics (P&OML) has developed an AI-powered Safety Assistant (AISA) using ChatGPT to guide employees on incident response, compliance requirements, risk assessment, and safety protocols. This tool provides instant access to critical HSE information and resources, fostering a safer and more informed workforce.

Technology providers are finding strong demand in the region’s oil and gas sector. Salunda, for example, recently secured a contract to install its Crew Hawk Red Zone monitoring solution on a jack-up rig.

This system offers real-time monitoring of hazardous zones, tracking personnel and equipment to ensure safety and minimise risks. Meanwhile, WakeCap’s IoT-based safety and productivity solutions helped achieve a 91% reduction in safety incidents at a major gas facility in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province by using advanced real-time analytics.

Additionally, 3t has partnered with the Saudi Arabian Drilling Academy (SADA) to integrate its 3t Drilling Systems simulators into training programmes, aiming to enhance the learning experience for drilling professionals.

• Region: Middle East
• Date: 13 January, 2025
• Year: 2025

Safety in construction and industrial sectors remains a top priority for the UAE, with numerous government bodies and private companies launching initiatives to safeguard workers and maintain high safety standards.

From municipal campaigns to industry-specific programs, the emphasis is on creating safer environments, improving compliance with regulations, and fostering a culture of safety across all sectors.

Dubai Municipality’s safety drive

Dubai Municipality recently launched a comprehensive safety campaign focused on ensuring a secure working environment at construction sites across the Emirates. The initiative highlights structural safety and the well-being of workers while aiming to improve contractor awareness. In 2023 alone, Dubai Municipality conducted over 35,000 inspections across 134,858 construction sites to enforce safety standards. Similarly, Abu Dhabi Municipality has rolled out campaigns and workshops targeting safety at construction and demolition sites.

Abu Dhabi DoE's focus on LPG safety

The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has also prioritised safety through its annual summer campaign, which promotes the safe use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. This initiative involves engaging directly with restaurants, shopping malls, hotels, and large industrial plants to enhance compliance with safety regulations and raise awareness of proper LPG handling.

Oil and gas industry leading the way

The UAE’s oil and gas sector remains at the forefront of health and safety standards, adhering to internationally benchmarked management systems and embedding a zero-harm culture. National oil companies in the region have introduced numerous initiatives to improve safety outcomes.

Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) reported its best personal and process safety records in 2023, driven by targeted initiatives like the “Boots-On-The-Ground” programme, which provides expert frontline support, intensive training, and additional resources to close safety gaps.

Meanwhile, Saudi Aramco achieved a 16% reduction in total recordable cases per 200,000 hours since 2022. This improvement is attributed to its training investments and a comprehensive Lessons Learned Program, which addresses recurring incidents. To further improve contractor safety, Aramco introduced the ‘Line of Fire’ campaign, targeting construction site workers and focusing on identifying hazards and improving safety behaviours.

Through these concerted efforts by municipalities, government agencies, and industry leaders, the UAE is setting a benchmark for workplace safety in construction and industrial sectors. The campaigns and programs not only aim to minimise risks but also foster a culture of proactive safety, ensuring the well-being of workers and the integrity of operations across the region.

• Region: Middle East
• Date: 10 January, 2025
• Year: 2025

A new year brings new opportunities, and there’s no better time to start rethinking your personal safety – both on and off the job, says Larry Wilson, Author and CEO, SafeStart

This month, we’re pausing our Paradigm Shifts series to bring you an exciting invitation: join us for the SafeStart Trainer Certification Level 1 CourseSafeStart Trainer Certification Level 1 Course in Dubai, UAE! This immersive two-day programme is designed to elevate workplace safety, minimise incidents, and cultivate a culture of safety excellence. You’ll gain valuable insights and practical tools to effectively implement the SafeStart process and become a certified trainer.

Event Details

Date: 18–19 February 2025
Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM 

Location: Media Rotana, Hessa Street, Dubai, UAE

What is SafeStart?

SafeStart is a globally renowned safety program that helps organisations reduce workplace incidents by addressing human factors, critical errors, and decision-making risks. This Level 1 certification will guide you through

SafeStart’s six-step process, enabling you to drive long-term cultural change and boost performance.

Explore the agenda highlights here.

Don’t miss this opportunity – spaces are limited, so secure your place today!

Looking forward to seeing you in Dubai!
Warm regards,
Larry Wilson
SafeStart Author and CEO

• Region: Middle East
• Date: 9 January, 2025
• Year: 2025

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) will host the second day of the Fire and Rescue Conference at Intersec, taking place from 14-16 January at the Dubai World Trade Center

The programme will features presentations and panel discussions led by global and local fire and life safety experts, bringing together a wide array of stakeholders, including prominent government representatives and private sector leaders from throughout the GCC region. They will address crucial topics such as life safety in residential buildings, fire safety in healthcare environments, emergency preparedness and response, and the role of IoT in smart buildings. In addition, attendees will have the chance to engage in interactive workshops, demonstrating the pioneering VR/AR technologies that are transforming fire safety training.

Organisations taking part in the event include Dubai Civil Defense, who will present a session on the role of AI in enhancing fire safety; Abu Dhabi Civil Defense, who will highlight the critical importance of code compliance; Saudi Aramco, who will offer valuable insights into the integration of automated emergency response systems within the oil and gas sector; and Dubai Holding Group, along with industry leaders from Oman Security and Safety Services Corporation, Siena, King Saud University Medical City, QHSEE, and SIBCA.

Grenfell Tower Fire

Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s Vice President of Outreach & Advocacy will give a presentation exploring lessons learned from the Grenfell Tower fire, which saw more than 70 residents lose their lives, and how fire and life safety experts can apply these insights to improve safety practices, especially in high-rise buildings.

“The lessons from Grenfell continue to resonate globally, underscoring the critical need for vigilance, preparedness, and leadership in fire, life, and electrical safety,” said Carli. “My keynote will explore how we transform tragedy into actionable solutions, driving a culture of safety that protects lives and property. I look forward to engaging with attendees to share insights and strategies that can make a meaningful difference in our rapidly evolving world.”

“NFPA is honoured to be a part of Intersec Dubai 2025, a platform that will bring together global experts and innovators in the fire and safety industry. With the rapid development of infrastructure across the region, we are committed to highlighting the impact of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, IoT, automation, AR, and VR, in enhancing fire safety practices. Our goal is to work alongside our regional partners to drive progress through knowledge-sharing and innovation, ultimately enhancing safety and saving lives,” said NFPA’s director of International Development for MENA.

• Region: Middle East
• Date: 8 January, 2025
• Year: 2025

Governments in the MENA region have made concerted efforts to drive up standards and embed a positive safety culture in the workplace, enacting new regulations, proactively enforcing adherence and conducting safety awareness campaigns, in collaboration with businesses.

Speaking ahead of the Intersec 2024 Safety & Health Conference in January, Dr Waddah S. Ghanem Al Hashmi, Hon Chairman of the Energy Institute Middle East and Chairman, Federal Occupational Health and Safety Committee, highlighted that the UAE, along with the broader Middle East, has made substantial strides in developing frameworks and practices for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS).

In December 2022, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology issued a standard aligning with ISO 45001:2019, which aims to strengthen leadership engagement in OHS within organisations.

Dr Al Hashmi said, “These updated standards are expected to drive a shift from mere compliance to a culture of value creation and sustainability. Greater leadership involvement will elevate OHS performance and employee engagement and foster a reduction in incidents across industries…I see positive thinking developing in the region.”

In recent developments, the Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) has launched a guide creating a unified reference for the health, occupational safety and environment of all Dubai Government employees, and cultivating a culture for effectively managing such risks. 

“We are confident that implementing this handbook will result in the establishment of a strong culture of prevention and risk management, making our institutions more equipped and prepared to handle future challenges and advance sustainable growth,” said Abdullah Ali Bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director-General of the DGHR Department.

Other GCC countries

In Saudi Arabia, initiatives of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health have included the creation of a national platform for reporting and investigating work-related accidents, injuries, and occupational diseases to identify root causes of accidents, establish appropriate rules to reduce them and prevent their recurrence. It is also developing a system to verify OSH practitioners, improving their knowledge and capabilities to implement mandatory health and safety regulations, and running programmes to enhance companies’ compliance with OSH requirements.

According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the Kingdom's work-related injury rate has declined from 416 to 288 injuries per 100,000 workers, marking a 30.7% decrease over recent years, as a result of policies and initiatives to advance worker safety.

All the GCC countries have implemented a midday work ban, prohibiting outdoor activities during the peak heat of summer days. This is designed to protect workers from heat stress, with migrant workers, who make up a large proportion of the construction workforce, being particularly at risk. Noncompliance can lead to penalties ranging from fines to shutting down the violating businesses.

In Qatar, for example, new legislation has been introduced to enhance protections for workers against heat stress during the summer months, including the expansion of the hours during which outdoor work is prohibited. Specific thresholds for suspending outdoor work, whatever the time of day or year, have also been established.

• Region: Middle East
• Date: 3 January, 2025
• Year: 2025

In its latest Sustainability Report, Aramco highlights its focus on safety as a core value throughout its global operations, where its “total workforce concept” is built on a robust safety culture and safe environment across its employees, contractors, and suppliers

This is complemented by innovative digital solutions that drive safety performance, elevate emergency readiness, and enhance safety governance.

A key factor in maintaining high safety standards is Aramco's monthly Executive Management Safety Review program, which it has run for over 40 years. This involves a management team visiting one of the company’s major operational areas to review HSE performance and engage directly with employees and contractors to discuss safety matters.

Aramco reports that its Total Recordable Case (TRC) rate has decreased by 22% since 2021, which it attributes to its investment in training initiatives and implementing a comprehensive lessons learned programme to prevent incidents re-occuring. All incidents are evaluated to identify root causes, following which corrective actions are introduced and lessons learned shared with all relevant departments and stakeholders.

The NOC has expanded its corporate safety assessment programmes, which assess all Aramco organisations against its robust Safety Management System (SMS) guidelines, to include in-kingdom and international affiliates, with more than 50 SMS assessments performed in 2023. supporting the reinforcement of their safety management system and providing the necessary resources,training, and guidance to improve and continually enhance their safety performance.

Ensuring contractor safety

One of the enduring challenges for major companies in Saudi Arabia is ensuring high and consistent standards across multicultural contractor workforces, where there may be variations in safety culture and behaviour as well as disparities in levels of competence. Ensuring contractor safety is a strong focus for Aramco, which partners with its contractors to build a strong safety culture across the value chain, with bespoke tools used to monitor contractor safety performance and compliance to corporate safety requirements. Along with its contractor safety index and turnaround safety index Aramco has introduced the Rig Safety Index, which monitors onshore and offshore drilling rig contractor safety performance. Another recent initiative has been the introduction of the ‘Line of Fire’ campaign to address risks associated with danger zones at construction sites. This aimed to raise the safety awareness of the contractor site workforce, improving their capabilities to identify work site hazards and enhancing safe behaviour.

In terms of emergency preparedness, Aramco’s Corporate Emergency Management Taskforce ensures resilience and readiness pre-planning, as well as risk based, and site-specific emergency response plans. A quarterly forum for emergency preparedness coordinators is held to continually improve emergency readiness, and the company has recently enhanced its digital safety system – SafeLife – to enable a company-wide tracking of emergency exercise schedules, as well as drill critique items until closure in a unified system.

The energy giant has also expanded safety training programmes, working closely with five National Training Centers (NTCs) to evaluate and enhance existing Safety Diploma Programs and to establish new ones.

With its focus on safety as a core value and the introduction of new methodologies, initiatives and technologies, Aramco ensures that it drives a culture of continuous improvement in health and safety across its global operations.

• Region: Middle East
• Date: 31 December, 2024
• Year: 2024

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) stands as a global leader in energy production, with its vast oil reserves fueling industries worldwide. As one of the largest producers of petroleum, the country’s industrial and economic activities span oil and gas, petrochemicals, mining, and infrastructure development.

These sectors bring unique Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) challenges shaped by the Kingdom’s climate, geography, workforce composition, and economic priorities. Addressing these challenges requires innovative solutions and adherence to international best practices to ensure worker safety, environmental preservation, and operational efficiency.

Extreme Climate and Geography

Saudi Arabia’s harsh environmental conditions pose one of the most significant HSE challenges. The Kingdom experiences extreme heat, with summer temperatures often exceeding 50°C (122°F). Prolonged exposure to such high temperatures can lead to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and dehydration, putting workers in construction, oil fields, and industrial sites at significant risk. Managing these conditions requires robust safety protocols, such as hydration programmes, shaded workspaces, and modified work schedules during peak heat hours.

Furthermore, vast desert landscapes and remote locations add logistical challenges for emergency response and worker safety. Oil fields, refineries, and mining operations are often situated in isolated areas, making it essential to have well-equipped emergency medical facilities and efficient evacuation plans in place.

Diverse and Multinational Workforce

Saudi Arabia’s workforce in key industries is highly diverse, comprising Saudi nationals and a large number of expatriates from various countries. This diversity presents challenges in communication, safety training, and cultural alignment. HSE policies and safety procedures must be communicated across language barriers to ensure all workers understand and comply with regulations. Employers often utilise multilingual training programs and visual safety aids to bridge these gaps.

Additionally, fostering a unified safety culture can be difficult when workers come from regions with differing safety standards. To address this, organisations are increasingly implementing global HSE frameworks, such as ISO 45001 for occupational safety and ISO 14001 for environmental management, ensuring consistency and best practices regardless of workforce composition.

High-Risk Industrial Operations

Saudi Arabia’s economic backbone relies heavily on industries like oil and gas, petrochemicals, and construction—sectors inherently fraught with risks. In oil and gas, hazards include flammable materials, gas leaks, explosions, and operational failures. The Kingdom’s petrochemical plants operate under extreme pressure and temperature conditions, necessitating strict safety measures to prevent catastrophic accidents.

The construction sector, driven by Saudi Vision 2030 megaprojects such as NEOM and the Red Sea Development, presents additional safety risks. High-rise construction, heavy machinery usage, and working in confined spaces require thorough risk assessments and advanced safety equipment to protect workers. Ensuring compliance with stringent safety protocols becomes critical to mitigate accidents and maintain productivity.

Environmental Preservation and Sustainability

Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainable development introduces unique environmental challenges. Industrial operations, particularly in oil and gas, carry risks of emissions, oil spills, and water contamination. The Kingdom’s fragile ecosystems, such as the Red Sea coastline and desert environments, must be protected from industrial byproducts. Companies are increasingly adopting technologies to minimise environmental impact, including carbon capture, emission reduction systems, and zero-flaring initiatives.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 emphasises environmental sustainability through projects like the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to reduce carbon emissions, increase renewable energy usage, and plant billions of trees to combat desertification. Companies operating in the Kingdom must align their HSE strategies with these national priorities to ensure compliance and support long-term sustainability goals.

Regulatory Landscape and Compliance

Saudi Arabia has established robust regulatory frameworks to address HSE challenges. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) oversees labour laws, while the Saudi Aramco HSE standards serve as benchmarks for safety in the oil and gas industry. Organisations are required to comply with national and international regulations, and enforcement mechanisms ensure accountability. Regular audits, inspections, and training programs play a crucial role in maintaining compliance.

Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that incorporates advanced technology, comprehensive safety training, and alignment with global standards. By fostering a culture of safety, environmental stewardship, and regulatory compliance, Saudi Arabia continues to demonstrate its commitment to protecting workers and preserving its natural resources while advancing its economic ambitions under Vision 2030.

• Region: Middle East
• Date: 26 December, 2024
• Year: 2024

Dubai-based AG Engineering and Power and AG Metal Industries, have been awarded the prestigious Sword of Honour by the British Safety Council, underlining their efforts and commitment to ensuring the wellbeing and safety of their workforce

AG Engineering and Power and AG Metal Industries, part of Al Ghurair, one of the largest diversified family businesses in the Middle East, were among 71 successful applicants that have received the honour, following a stringent Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit conducted by an independent adjudication panel. It is the second year in a row that an Al Ghurair company has received the award, with AG PCS Switchgear being honoured with this achievement in 2023.

Jacob John, chief executive officer - Construction and Services Sector, Engineering Cluster at Al Ghurair, said, “Winning the Sword of Honour for two of our business units is a major achievement for Al Ghurair. We dared to benchmark our Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) standards against the best practices of the world's most esteemed organisations, and found ourselves at par. In this endeavour, the globally renowned British Safety Council has served as our partner, advisor and assessor. This collaboration has been instrumental in our diligent and rewarding journey towards safeguarding our people, related stakeholders and strengthening Al Ghurair’s position as a leader in the industry.”

To compete for the Sword of Honour, the companies first had to achieve the maximum Five Stars in British Safety Council’s audit scheme, which verified the divisions’ HSE Managements Systems and their approach to identifying and mitigating risks at the workplace. The companies were also required to demonstrate a proven track record and culture of best practice for excellence in health and safety management throughout the business, from the shop floor to the boardroom.

The British Safety Council's Swoard, Globe and Sheidl of Honour awards ceelbrate and reward those organisations that have reached the pinnacle of health, safety, wellbeing and environmental management.

The Middle East was well represented in the list of award winners in 2024, illustrating the growing focus on raising health and safety standards in the region. Other recipients of the award in the Middle East included Al Ain City Municipality, Al Hamra Industrial Zone, Bapco Refining, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (which also received the Globe of Honour for environmental management), NFZ Ral Al-Khaimah, Qatar Gas Transport, Company Ltd (Nakilat), and Qatar Shipyard Technology Solutions.

Applications for the 2025 awards are now open. See https://www.britsafe.org/p/international-safety-awards-application

• Region: Middle East
• Date: 24 December, 2024
• Year: 2024

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is going through a far-reaching social and economic transformation, driven by Saudi Vision 2030, its blueprint aimed at creating a vibrant society, building a diverse economy and championing environmental sustainability. This includes health and safety, with Vision 2030 objectives aiming to minimise workplace injuries, diseases, and fatalities across all sectors.

The last decade has seen a steady decline in work injuries recorded by GOSI (the General Organization for Social Insurance), with figures down by two thirds since 2012 (from 73,896 to 27,133 in 2023).

For the trend to continue in line with the ambition of Vision 2030, however, cooperation between all layers of the HSE ecosystem, from corporate entities to contractors, must continue.

Many challenges and concerns remain among members of that ecosystem, some of which relate to the sheer scale and pace of the developments underway in the Kingdom. At the heart of the Kingdom’s diversification efforts are several massive transformative gigaprojects, backed by the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), designed to widen employment opportunities, open up new sectors such as tourism, leisure and culture, enhance Saudi Arabia’s position regionally and internationally and set new standards of sustainability and innovation.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is transforming every aspect of life in Saudi Arabia, and the HSE sector is no exception, with a positive drive from the government to improve standards and promote safe and healthy workplaces in line with international best practices. The scale and pace of developments pose both challenges and opportunities, with scope for partnerships and collaborations in areas ranging from training and consultancy to technology and equipment supply.

There is also a thirst for sharing knowledge and expertise more widely and building more valuable business connections.

This extract is from a 2024 outlook on the Saudi Arabia HSE landscape published by Offshore Network: the full report and others can be downloaded here.

• Region: Middle East
• Date: 20 December, 2024
• Year: 2024

The health, safety, and environment (HSE) market in the MENA region is experiencing significant growth, driven by developing economies, advancements in technology, increasingly stringent standards and new HSE approaches, frameworks and practices.

Industries are undergoing a transformation, driven by a focus on safety, compliance, and sustainability. In the oil and gas sector, advancements in technology and artificial intelligence are proving instrumental in strengthening safety protocols and improving operational efficiency.

These innovations enable companies to predict and mitigate risks more effectively, fostering safer and more sustainable practices.

The construction sector is similarly embracing technological progress to enhance safety measures and address the challenges posed by climate change.

Governments across the region are actively raising standards by fostering a positive safety culture in workplaces. Through the introduction of new regulations, strict enforcement, and collaborative safety awareness campaigns with businesses, they are driving significant improvements.

Ahead of the Intersec 2024 Safety & Health Conference in January, Dr Waddah S. Ghanem Al Hashmi, Honorary Chairman of the Energy Institute Middle East and Chairman of the Federal Occupational Health and Safety Committee, emphasised the substantial progress the UAE and the wider Middle East have made in establishing robust frameworks and practices for occupational health and safety (OHS).

In December 2022, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology issued a standard aligning with ISO 45001:2019, which aims to strengthen leadership engagement in OHS within organisations. Dr Al Hashmi said, “These updated standards are expected to drive a shift from mere compliance to a culture of value creation and sustainability. Greater leadership involvement will elevate OHS performance and employee engagement and foster a reduction in incidents across industries…I see positive thinking developing in the region.”

This extract is from a 2024 outlook on the MENA HSE landscape published by Offshore Network: the full report and others can be downloaded here.

• Date: 18 December, 2024
• Year: 2024

At the heart of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 diversification efforts are several massive transformative gigaprojects such as NEOM, a 26,500 sq km futuristic urban area comprising various cities and resorts, powered entirely by renewable energy; and Red Sea Global, a 28,000 sq. km sustainability-focused luxury tourism project on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast

As a result of these major developments, the Kingdom’s construction and infrastructure sector is booming. Saudi Arabia’s construction market size is estimated at US$70.33bn in 2024, and is expected to reach US$91.36bn by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 5.37% from 2024-2029, according to a report by Mordor Intelligence.

Meeting expectations of stakeholders while maintaining safe standards of operation and prioritising worker welfare on fast-moving and demanding projects can be a challenge. Dealing with variations in safety culture and behaviour as well as disparities in levels of competence of multicultural workforces, along with potential communications difficulties as a result of different languages spoken, is an issue throughout the Gulf, but is exacerbated in the case of some of these gigaprojects, which have seen large influxes of migrant workers. Localisation requirements and quotas mean that training to bridge knowledge gaps of local contractors and suppliers and bring them up to international standards is required. Managing and monitoring workers over large and sometimes remote areas and protecting large sites is another issue.

Other challenges reported by health and safety practitioners include shortages of qualified HSE personnel, resources and equipment, with equipment that is not up to standard.

An article in the American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture, April 2024, on the impact of occupational health and safety on productivity in Saudi Arabia’s construction industry, finds that factors such as heat stress, lack of PPE and an uncomfortable work environment are among the most critical issues affecting worker productivity. Recommended measures include comprehensive and mandatory safety training programmes for all employees; the adoption of advanced safety monitoring technologies; strengthening existing regulations and introducing more stringent standards; promoting a safety-first culture, with safety integrated into every aspect of the workplace; and the enhancement of worker welfare and support systems.

Compliance in the construction supply chain is becoming more challenging as the kingdom accelerates its development projects under Vision 2030, according to an article on ‘Compliance Issues in the Construction Supply Chain in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’ by Alvarez and Marshall. While significant reforms in the regulatory framework governing the construction industry have been enacted, the regulatory environment remains complex, with companies needing to comply with local building codes, labour laws and international standards.

“From regulatory and health and safety compliance, to environmental and labour rights concerns, construction firms must adopt proactive strategies to mitigate risks and ensure that projects are delivered successfully,” the authors say.

“By implementing comprehensive compliance programmes, conducting regular audits, integrating technology, and prioritising sustainability and worker welfare, construction firms can reduce the likelihood of non-compliance. As KSA continues to position itself as a hub for mega-projects, staying ahead of compliance challenges will be critical to maintaining a competitive edge and delivering projects that meet both local and international standards.”

See also https://hsereview.com/hse/saudi-arabia-s-new-murabba-project-clocks-three-million-safe-work-hours