Middle East
Middle East
- Topic: HSE
- Region: Middle East
- Date: 31 July 2025
- Year: 2025
Qatar's Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has conducted a training workshop on heat stress during the summer season, attended by around 250 occupational health and safety officers from companies operating in the country
The two-day workshop forms part of the Ministry's ongoing efforts to raise awareness of occupational health and safety in workplace environments and aimed to raise awareness among occupational health and safety officers in companies about the importance of taking necessary preventive measures to avoid heat stress injuries, and to enable them to pass this knowledge on to workers within their companies.
Topics included definitions and types of heat stress, methods of prevention, first aid to be administered at work sites, the impact of sunlight on the eyes, and laws related to working in open spaces during the summer.
Dr Salah Abdulla Alyafei, director of the Health Promotion Department at the Ministry of Public Health, stated, “Heat stress remains one of the most significant risks to workers’ health and safety. Rising temperatures and humidity during the summer pose an increasing challenge. Given the diversity of the workforce, many workers may be unaware of the dangers or unfamiliar with proper protective measures.”
“Each year, the Ministry of Public Health, through its Occupational Health Section, runs a dedicated heat stress programme targeted at company health and safety managers and supervisors. This initiative is aimed at improving awareness of heat stress symptoms and preventive actions. As part of the programme, multilingual educational materials are distributed across workplaces, highlighting ways to prevent heat-related issues during the summer. We greatly value the strong collaboration between the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Labour in organising these joint awareness campaigns.”
In common with its Gulf neighbours, Qatar enforces a midday work ban in the summer months, which in the case of Qatar prohibits outdoor work, or work in unshaded or unventilated areas, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM between 1 June and 15 September each year, in a bid to protect workers from the dangers of summer heat stress. This has significantly contributed to reducing heat-related injuries.
- Date: 30 July 2025
- Year: 2025
The Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority is strengthening its efforts to promote a culture of safety across the emirate through its “Safety Officers” programme, an initiative designed to improve occupational safety and instil best practices in workplaces.
The programme aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify hazards, implement preventive measures, and respond effectively to potential risks, thereby reducing incidents and creating safer environments.
Since its launch, the initiative has seen strong uptake, with 325 individuals enrolled to date. Participants are trained in various safety protocols relevant to different sectors, positioning them as key figures in advancing safety awareness within their organisations. The programme forms part of the Authority’s broader strategy to build a more informed and safety-conscious workforce.
Engineer Mohammed Al Zarouni, who leads the Occupational Safety and Health Department at the Authority, underscored the importance of investing in human capital, noting that the programme is continuously being refined to stay aligned with evolving industry needs. He added that the Authority is committed to expanding the reach of the initiative to include additional sectors in its long-term plans.
The Authority is also working closely with relevant government and private sector entities to ensure the programme’s benefits are sustained over time. This collaborative approach is aimed at improving workplace safety standards across Sharjah and contributing to the emirate’s overall well-being and development.
Al Zarouni said, "We are very proud of the positive results from the Safety Officers programme. It has successfully improved participants' understanding of safety and created a group of skilled individuals who can help promote awareness and oversee safety efforts at workplaces. Remarkably, 85% of participants passed their written and practical exams. We've also seen a noticeable increase in their ability to recognise and respond to safety risks."
- Date: 29 July 2025
- Year: 2025
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), in collaboration with Majalis Abu Dhabi at the Presidential Court, has held a series of community awareness sessions during the first half of 2025 focused on gas safety in buildings.
The initiative is part of the DoE’s broader efforts to promote public safety and strengthen social awareness across the Emirate.
Aimed at improving safe gas usage practices in homes and businesses, the sessions were designed to enhance community preparedness and reduce the risk of accidents.
By offering guidance on emergency response and safe handling procedures, the campaign supports the protection of lives, property, and infrastructure across Abu Dhabi.
The sessions were hosted at community Majalis in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra, including venues in Mohammed bin Zayed City, Khalifa City, Al Falah, Al Rahbah, Al Sila, Remaah, and Al Alia.
Attendees were encouraged to ask questions, share feedback, and contribute their experiences, fostering two-way dialogue between residents and DoE representatives.
Eng. Ahmed Alsheebani, Executive Director of the Petroleum Products Sector at the DoE, emphasised the role of Majalis as key platforms for public engagement and consultation.
He stressed the importance of incorporating community input into service development and affirmed the DoE’s commitment to working with gas providers to update systems and adopt best practices to mitigate safety risks.
The initiative also falls under the broader "Year of Community" framework, underscoring the DoE’s drive to build stronger public connections and promote a culture of safety through inclusive communication.
- Topic: HSE
- Region: Middle East
- Date: 22 July 2025
- Year: 2025
The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), in collaboration with the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA) in Sharjah along with government and private sector partners, is implementing the 14th Heat Exhaustion and Disease Prevention Campaign
Taking place from July to August under the theme “Your Safety is Our Priority,” the campaign coincides with the midday work ban, which prohibits work under direct sunlight and in open-air spaces between 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm, from 15 June to 15 September to protect workers from injuries and illnesses caused by working in high temperatures during the summer months. The campaign aims to raise health awareness among outdoor workers and field personnel on the dangers of heat stress during the summer.
The campaign aims to reach 10,000 workers and has so far targeted more than 4,000 individuals across various sites in the emirate, with activities including lectures on heat stress, as well as free medical screenings and the distribution of preventive supplies to workers.
Field visits have also taken place, focusing on raising awareness among construction workers as well as employers about proper health practices during the summer and heat stress prevention.
The campaign also extends to workers at fuel stations, and public places as well as community members, including housewives and university students.
These activities aim to highlight the importance of health protection during the summer, promote a culture of healthy living that encourages positive behaviours, and encourage participants to share the knowledge and preventive measures with domestic helpers.
Mohammed Abdullah Al Zarooni, director of MoHAP’s Representative Office in Sharjah, stressed that the campaign is a humanitarian initiative that embodies the values of social responsibility and contributes significantly to promoting health awareness across all segments of society, particularly among outdoor labourers.
He emphasised that the campaign supports government efforts to safeguard labour rights and ensure a healthy work environment, in accordance with WHO standards and the human-focused objectives of the Year of Community.
Partners supporting the campaign include the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Sharjah Government Media Bureau, Sharjah Police, Emirates Health Services, Sharjah Sports Council, Labour Standards Development Authority, Sharjah Municipality, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Prevention and Safety Authority, Sharjah Volunteering Centre, Sharjah Coop, Sharjah Charity International, the Friends of Kidney Patients Association, Emirates Red Crescent, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Fast Building Contracting, Al Jaber Optical, Medcare Group, Aster DM Healthcare, Burjeel Specialty Hospital, NMC Hospital, Zulekha Hospital, Life Pharmacy Group and Gaia Healthcare.
- Date: 21 July 2025
- Year: 2025
In a continued effort to embed a strong culture of occupational health and safety across its operations, Orange Jordan held a specialised two-day workshop at the Orange Training Center.
The event gathered representatives from more than 32 local and international partner companies, as well as officials from key ministries and national institutions.
Held under the patronage and attendance of Dr. Ibrahim Harb, Chief Legal, Regulatory, Sourcing & Supply Chain Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer at Orange Jordan, the workshop was led by the Human Resources Department’s Compensation and Benefits Management team. Its main goal was to strengthen safety awareness and promote preventive measures among contractors and business partners, aligned with national and international safety standards.
The agenda covered a broad range of critical topics including occupational safety laws, hazard identification and prevention, personal protective equipment, road safety, first aid, social security protocols, and injury management.
A session on positive thinking in the workplace also underscored the importance of mental wellbeing alongside physical safety. The event further showcased Orange Jordan’s internal achievements in building a robust occupational health and safety system.
Officials from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Social Security Corporation, Public Security Directorate – Civil Defense, and the Jordan Traffic Institute took part, alongside safety experts.
They praised Orange Jordan’s leadership and the broader role of private sector champions in raising health and safety standards and saving lives.
Dr. Harb reaffirmed that employee and partner wellbeing is a core priority for Orange Jordan. He explained that this workshop reflected their ongoing commitment to strengthening safety practices, exchanging knowledge, and ensuring that their operations comply with the highest standards.
The event closed with a strong call to action for all partners and contractors to maintain rigorous health and safety standards. Participants were thanked for their contributions and active engagement in making the initiative a success.
- Topic: HSE
- Date: 16 July 2025
- Year: 2025
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) has inaugurated its annual summer Safety & Health (S&H) campaign ‘Summer is Here! Ring the Safety Bell’
The opening ceremony was attended by the Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Relations at the Ministry of Labour, Aqeel Buhussein, along with several senior officials, representatives of contracting companies operating at Alba, and employees from across the plant.
Alba’s 2025 S&H campaign will focus on critical summer-related topics such as hydration, heat awareness and safe work practices to empower every employee with the knowledge and tools to thrive both on and off the job. It includes various panel discussions that emphasise cross-functional collaboration and safety best practices across departments; a health awareness session by General Practitioner Dr. Abrar Mahdi titled “Health in Summer”; and a ‘Young Albawee’ session, where the children of Alba employees will promote safety through creative presentations and video messages.
The 2025 S&H Campaign is a key part of Alba’s ongoing commitment to cultivating a world-class safety culture for its workforce, which has been recognised by several recent prestigious awards including RoSPA 2025 Health and Safety Achievement Award (President’s Award), British Safety Council 2025 International Safety Award, as well as numerous awards from the National Safety Council, USA.
“Our annual summer Safety & Health (S&H) campaign is more than just a seasonal reminder to stay safe; it is a call to action - Stay Vigilant. Stay Informed. Stay Safe,” stated Alba's chief executive officer Ali Al Baqali at the campaign’s inauguration.
“Summer brings its own set of challenges in our industry, all of which put our resilience to test. We are proud to have achieved eight years without any heat-related injuries and illnesses in 2024, and, most recently, surpassed 37 million safe working hours without LTI; but summer-related risks repeat every year, and we must stay proactive to ensure that every team member stays safe, supported and ready to beat the heat.”
- Date: 14 July 2025
- Year: 2025
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has launched a new awareness campaign under the theme Your Safety is Our Priority, reinforcing its commitment to public safety and the responsible use of energy resources.
The campaign targets both individuals and businesses across the emirate, aiming to increase awareness about the prevention of electricity and gas-related hazards, particularly during the summer season, when rising temperatures lead to greater reliance on electrical systems.
A key component of the initiative is to educate residents on how to safely manage household electrical appliances and gas installations throughout the warmer months.
To ensure the message reaches a broad audience, the campaign will disseminate digital awareness materials through social media platforms and official websites.
It will also feature a series of workshops and site visits, developed in collaboration with partners from both the public and private sectors.
The DoE is encouraging all residents and commercial establishments in Abu Dhabi to actively participate in the campaign’s activities and events.
It emphasised that safety is a shared responsibility, beginning at home and extending into every workplace.
The department also urged the public to follow its social media channels and website for campaign updates and daily safety tips.
Eng Ahmed Alsayed Mohamed Sheebani, executive director of the Regulatory Affairs Petroleum Products Sector at the DoE, said, “Safety in the use of energy sources is one of the fundamental pillars of our regulatory framework. Through this campaign, we aim to enhance community awareness of best practices, and encourage safer, more sustainable behavior in energy use, aligned with Abu Dhabi’s vision to build an efficient and secure energy sector that serves both people and the environment. Collaboration between regulatory entities and the community is key to reducing gas-related incidents and ensuring everyone’s safety.”
Eng Abdul Rahman Al-Alawi, Health, Safety, and Environment Director at the DoE, said, "At the start of summer, the difficulties linked to energy usage grow, be it inside residences or within commercial and service facilities. Our part, at the Department of Energy, is to foster a safe and sustainable environment in the emirate through sustained outreach and education. The Your Safety is Our Priority campaign is a clear manifestation of our duty to enhance a culture of safety, and to affirm that the conscious and responsible utilisation of energy is a joint responsibility between regulatory authorities and society.
“Prevention is rooted in community awareness. Therefore, this campaign was conceived to connect with people through straightforward language and actionable content that aids in reducing accidents and encourages the sustainable consumption of energy."
- Topic: PPE
- Region: Middle East
- Date: 11 July 2025
- Year: 2025
Industrial hand protection manufacturer SHOWA has launched its Sentinel by SHOWA hand protection programme across the EMEA region, to help employers reduce hand injuries, improve protection and identify cost-saving opportunities
Sentinel by SHOWA is a free of charge, two-stage process. It begins with a site-wide survey which identifies risk factors and potential improvements in hand protection, and makes recommendations tailored to the needs of each end user. Where required, this can be followed by a four-week structured trial, which enables end users to evaluate recommended SHOWA gloves against their current products in terms of comfort, dexterity, durability and suitability for specific tasks.
The programme also supports compliance with relevant health and safety legislation such as the EU PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and the Framework Directive 89/391/EEC, whereby employers are required to identify risks and provide appropriate personal protective equipment to their workforce.
High-risk sectors
The programme is specifically designed for large end users in high-risk sectors such as manufacturing, construction, transportation and energy, where at least 150 workers are using hand protection. Sentinel can help employers reduce the number of non-fatal injuries to hands and wrists, which account for 25% of non-fatal workplace injuries. It is already operating successfully in the US market, where customers have already seen measurable benefits. Wabtec Graham-White, for example, a leading manufacturer of pneumatic and electro-pneumatic components, saw a US$18,000 reduction in glove spend, a drop in hand injuries and a more sustainable approach to PPE selection through the introduction of SHOWA’s biodegradable EBT hand protection solutions.
“Sentinel by SHOWA provides a practical framework for engaging with workers and safety teams to ensure the right gloves are used for the right applications,” said Tony Lynch, vice president EMEA & USA from SHOWA. “By understanding user needs on site, testing against actual job demands, and following through with data-backed recommendations, we can improve safety performance and reduce incidents while helping customers optimise their PPE spend; and it’s all for free.”
- Date: 8 July, 2025
- Year: 2025
Qatar’s Ministry of Labour, through its Occupational Safety and Health Department, has partnered with the Workers' Support and Insurance Fund to launch the “Heat Stress Awareness Corner” in the Asian City and Industrial Area.
The initiative is part of a broader national effort to safeguard workers from the health risks posed by high temperatures during the summer season.
With a strong focus on outdoor labour sectors, the initiative reinforces the Ministry’s commitment to on-site education and the prevention of heat-related illnesses.
By delivering clear, multilingual safety guidance and practical tips, the Awareness Corner is designed to help workers recognise the dangers of heat stress and adopt preventive measures.
The Ministry highlighted the importance of direct engagement and collaboration with key partners to reach workers where they live and work.
Communication materials are offered in multiple languages to ensure accessibility and understanding across Qatar’s diverse workforce.
Workers are being urged to stay hydrated, take regular breaks, and seek medical help promptly if symptoms of heat stress appear, actions that are vital to preserving their health and wellbeing throughout the summer.
The Ministry of Labour and WSIF also partnered with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) to launch a nationwide heat awareness campaign and promote preventive measures during Qatar’s peak summer months.
Once again led by the Ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health Department, the campaign is directed at workers across high-risk sectors where prolonged exposure to heat can cause serious health problems. It underscores the government’s continued efforts to strengthen worker protection and promote safer working conditions through multi-agency collaboration.
A key focus of the campaign is educating workers to recognise early symptoms of heat stress such as dizziness, headache, excessive or absent sweating, fatigue, and loss of consciousness, and how to respond appropriately.
Ministry and healthcare experts participating in the campaign stressed the life-saving potential of these simple measures and the importance of prevention over reaction.
Employers are being urged to play a proactive role by delivering annual training on heat stress before summer, providing ample cold drinking water, creating shaded rest areas with ventilation, conducting medical check-ups, and collaborating with workers to assess risks.
This initiative is part of a wider series of safety campaigns spearheaded by the Ministry to foster a culture of occupational health, reduce risk in extreme conditions, and protect worker wellbeing, ensuring both resilience and productivity across sectors.
- Date: 7 July, 2025
- Year: 2025
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has entered into a strategic agreement with Pony.ai, a global leader in autonomous driving technology, to launch pilot trials of self-driving vehicles in the emirate.
Set to begin later this year, the trials represent a major step toward the introduction of a fully driverless commercial mobility service by 2026.
Pony.ai, which has collaborated with top automotive manufacturers including Toyota, GAC, and BAIC, recently introduced its seventh-generation autonomous vehicle. The new fleet features cutting-edge artificial intelligence, integrated with a sophisticated sensor system that includes lidars, radars, and cameras, engineered to enable safe and accurate navigation across complex road networks and diverse weather conditions.
The company’s broader ecosystem also includes partnerships with technology giants Tencent and Alibaba, allowing its robotaxi services to be embedded into widely used platforms such as WeChat and Alipay, offering a seamless user experience.
The MoU was signed in the presence of RTA Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors Mattar Al Tayer, and Dr. Leo Wang, Chief Financial Officer of Pony.ai. Representing RTA was Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of the Public Transport Agency, while Ann Shi, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, signed on behalf of Pony.ai. Several senior officials from both organisations also attended the ceremony.
Mattar Al Tayer praised the partnership, noting that it aligns with Dubai’s ambition to become a global hub for autonomous mobility. He highlighted that Pony.ai’s decision to choose Dubai as its international expansion base reflects the emirate’s growing status as a testbed for next-generation transport solutions.
Pony.ai CFO Dr. Leo Wang highlighted the regional significance of the partnership, "The collaboration with Dubai RTA exemplifies our commitment to deploying Level 4 autonomous technology in strategic global markets. By aligning our technological capabilities with RTA's visionary leadership, we're establishing foundational standards for intelligent transportation ecosystems across the MENA region.
“The operation of autonomous taxis contributes to the integration of transport systems by facilitating the movement of public transport users and improving access to their final destinations in line with the first and last-mile strategy. Operating autonomous taxis will enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors in Dubai, improve road safety, and offer greater convenience in daily mobility across the emirate.”
“Autonomous mobility has become a present reality. Leading global companies are accelerating the development of technologies and software that power autonomous vehicles, while governments—through the relevant licensing and regulatory authorities—are working to provide the necessary infrastructure and establish the legislative and regulatory frameworks required to enable their operation.”
Al Tayer added, “RTA’s continued expansion of partnerships with leading global companies in the field of autonomous mobility marks a key step towards achieving the Dubai Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to convert 25% of all trips in Dubai into autonomous journeys across various modes of transport by 2030. It underscores RTA’s commitment to working closely with global technology leaders to advance the future of smart, efficient, and sustainable mobility.”
- Date: 3 July, 2025
- Year: 2025
Response Plus Holding PJSC, the Middle East’s leading pre-hospital care and emergency medical services provider, and Burjeel Holdings, a major super-specialty healthcare group in the MENA region, have launched the US$1mn Human Energy Health and Wellbeing Award.
The award will honour an organisation in the global energy sector that delivers the most innovative, impactful, and measurable solution to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of energy workers worldwide.
The winner will be announced at ADIPEC in November 2025.
The initiative represents the first global recognition programme dedicated solely to workforce wellbeing in the energy industry, highlighting the growing importance of mental health, resilience, and overall wellness in operational success and employee engagement.
The award is open to organisations of all sizes, with a strong emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the energy supply chain, where the prize money can make a substantial difference to internal culture and long-term wellbeing programmes.
Entries will be reviewed by an independent, international panel of experts from the fields of health, wellness, and leadership.
Encouraging better health
Dr Richard Heron, former VP of Health and Chief Medical Officer at BP, will lead the jury. He will be joined by renowned wellness coach Vinay Menon, who has worked with elite athletes including Chelsea FC and Belgium’s national football team, and journalist and global economic analyst John Defterios.
The Human Energy Awards are aligned with the UAE’s national strategies, including the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision and the UAE National Wellbeing Strategy 2031.
This new platform reinforces the country’s efforts to set global benchmarks in health, innovation, and workforce wellbeing.
More information about the award and how to apply is available through the Human Energy Health and Wellbeing Award website.
Dr Rohil Raghavan, CEO of Response Plus Holding PJSC, said, “The Human Energy Awards reflects RPM’s commitment to placing people at the centre of progress. This initiative is about setting a new benchmark to recognise how the Energy sector values and supports its workforce.”
Steven Wines, CEO of Prometheus Medical International – a subsidiary of RPM, who is leading the Award steering committee, added, “This initiative is designed to recognise and inspire organisations who think differently about health and well-being. We want to encourage innovative solutions that make a tangible difference to people across the energy value chain.”
John Sunil, CEO of Burjeel Holdings, said, “Our partnership reflects a shared mission to prioritise the health of those driving the energy sector. This award highlights the vital role of preventive care and well-being in sustaining a resilient workforce.”
- Topic: HSE
- Region: Middle East
- Date: 1 July 2025
- Year: 2025
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the world’s largest aluminium smelter on one site, recorded 37 million safe working hours without a Lost Time Injury (LTI) on 27 June 2025
This significant addition to Alba's distinguished safety track record reflects its commitment to fostering a safe, healthy and resilient work environment for its employees and contractors’ workers. It reaffirms Alba’s strategic vision and core values, particularly prioritising its workers’ safety into every layer of its operations. Alba believes that its people are its most valuable assets, and investing in their safety is an investment in the company’s future success. Its foundational ‘Safety First’ culture is strengthened by dedicated safety campaigns, comprehensive in-house training programmes, weekly Safety Talks and active shop-floor engagement by Alba’s executives, all of which play a crucial role in promoting a safer workplace for all.
The company’s safety performance has been recognised this year with the award of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA’s) President’s award for the third consecutive year, and six major awards from the USA’s National Safety Council (NSC).