Regional Coverage
Regional Coverage
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- North America
- Date: 22 July 2025
- Year: 2025
Angeles Equity Partners, a private investment firm focused on niche manufacturing, critical industrial services and specialty distribution businesses, and Kain Capital, a private equity firm investing in healthcare services and technology, have announced the merger of Agile Occupational Medicine and Akeso Occupational Health.
This strategic combination creates the second-largest independent occupational medicine provider in the United States, with 42 locations across California and Arizona.
By combining two high-performing platforms with complementary clinic networks, the merger aims to strengthen the delivery of high-quality, efficient care focused on improving patient outcomes and helping employers return injured workers to health and productivity.
Both Agile and Akeso are leaders in occupational medicine, a discipline dedicated to preventing, diagnosing and managing work-related injuries and illnesses.
Their combined offerings now include a wide range of clinical services, from work injury treatment to ancillary services such as physical therapy, chiropractic care and acupuncture.
The new entity also provides comprehensive employer-focused solutions, including drug and alcohol screening, regulatory and pre-employment physicals, and hazardous material evaluations.
The merger is designed to expand access to care, enhance service offerings and streamline operations through innovation and a unified commitment to quality.
With an integrated platform and a shared vision, Agile and Akeso aim to be a trusted healthcare partner for employers while ensuring that injured employees receive prompt, expert treatment and are supported throughout their recovery journey.
“Combining Agile and Akeso strengthens our mission of providing timely, effective, and differentiated care to the workers we serve,” said Frank Spelman, managing director at Angeles Equity Partners and board member of Agile. “This merger puts us at the forefront of California’s occupational medicine segment, with the medical expertise, operational breadth, and geographic coverage required to deliver a full suite of healthcare services to, and superior outcomes for, statewide employers.”
“Employers need a reliable healthcare partner who can scale with their needs, and this merger delivers on that promise,” said Kunal Kain, managing partner at Kain Capital and chair of the board of Akeso. “With our combined footprint, we can now provide employers broader access to high-quality, flexible care options.”
“I’m excited to work alongside Dr. Yadidi and the talented team at Akeso,” said Dr. Minh Nguyen, chief medical officer of Agile. “Both organisations are committed to raising the standard of care for injured workers and improving their outcomes with faster recovery times and more efficient service.”
“This partnership strengthens our ability to care for injured workers throughout the state,” said Dr. Kayvon Yadidi, chief medical officer of Akeso. “I’m looking forward to partnering with Dr. Nguyen and combining our expertise to improve care and support for both employees and employers.”
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Middle East
- 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.
- Details
- Louise Waters
- Middle East
- 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.”
- Details
- Louise Waters
- Europe
- Topic: HSE
- Region: Europe
- Date: 15 July 2025
- Year: 2025
New research from Dräger finds that while 96% of employees feel safe at work, there are underlying issues that need to be addressed, such as inadequate training, outdated safety equipment, and poor psychological safety
65% of those surveyed for the Dräger Safety and Health at Work Report 2025, a study exploring attitudes to safety and health topics in UK workplaces, believe that a lack of psychological safety is contributing to physical safety risks in their workplace. Mental health and wellbeing issues are being seen as a lower priority compared to more ‘traditional’ health and safety issues.
There is also a growing concern that organisations are shifting too much responsibility for health safety on to individual employees rather than addressing systemic risks.
Meanwhile 73% indicate that safety training is simply a ‘tick box’ exercise, and 9% of workers said that they had had no safety training in the last five years.
Recent UK economic policy changes, particularly the increase in employer’s National Insurance (NI) contributions, are seen as likely to have a detrimental impact on safety in the workplace, with 77% saying that the recent changes to NI will impact health and safety budgets. This may be further exacerbated by the additional uncertainty created by US global policies in recent months. 66% say that they believe safety equipment in their company is inadequate, outdated or in need of repair.
Impact of AI
AI is seen as having potential to improve safety through automation and training simulations, with 44% of those surveyed believing it could reduce human error by automating repetitive safety checks. Other perceived benefits include improved employee training through immersive simulations, and identification and mitigation of potential hazards. However, 92% of respondents identify risks with AI implementation in the field of workplace safety in the next five years, with over-reliance on AI leading to complacency in safety practices (47%) seen as the leading concern, along with job losses, privacy concerns, and technical failures. There is a consensus that AI should support—not replace—human decision-making in safety-critical roles.
Despite an apparent significant focus by many businesses on the importance of sustainability, including in relation to health and safety procurement, there is a widespread belief that many companies are guilty of ‘greenwashing,’ undermining trust in sustainability and safety initiatives. While many firms show some progress in ESG areas like supply chain and energy use, few are seen as fully committed or transparent in their sustainability actions.
“We are observing the potential evolution of a cynical generation in the workplace – ‘Gen C’ – cynical about the intentions and motives of their employees, whether in providing safety training or in demonstrating their commitment to the environment,” the report comments.
Matthew Bedford, managing director, Draeger Safety UK Ltd commented, “The outlook for businesses continues to be extremely challenging, not least financially. However, it is vital that organisations also remain focused on fundamental issues such as the safety and wellbeing of their employees.
“My hope is that some of the issues highlighted in this year’s research will serve as a wake-up call to UK businesses.
“Despite the vast majority of people reporting that they do feel safe in their workplace, there are clear areas of dissatisfaction and cynicism across key areas which need addressing to prevent negative sentiment developing further."
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Middle East
- 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."
- Details
- Louise Waters
- Middle East
- 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.”
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- North America
- Date: 10 July, 2025
- Year: 2025
CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. (CSA), a global marine environmental consultancy, has enhanced its disaster response capabilities with the addition of the WingtraOne GEN II unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to its uncrewed systems fleet.
Designed for rapid post-disaster assessments, the new UAV complements CSA’s existing suite of uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs), enabling the firm to efficiently evaluate storm-impacted infrastructure across inland, coastal, and offshore locations.
The WingtraOne GEN II features vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), allowing it to operate in confined or debris-covered areas. Capable of surveying up to 310 hectares in under 50 minutes, the UAV significantly accelerates damage assessment timelines. With an IP54 rating and resilience in sustained winds up to 27 mph, the platform supports various payloads, including RGB, LiDAR, and multispectral sensors, tailored to the assessment’s scope.
This airborne capability complements CSA’s SeaRobotics-built USV fleet, which includes 1.8-m to 11.0-m vessels equipped with modular sensor arrays for hydrographic mapping, submerged debris detection, and waterway navigability assessment, especially in conditions hazardous to crewed operations.
In anticipation of heightened tropical activity in the Atlantic Basin, CSA is actively coordinating with FEMA, state emergency agencies, utility providers, and insurers to prepare for rapid response. Its Crisis Management Team offers a 24/7 hotline for clients and partners, enabling immediate incident registration and deployment of tailored response teams.
“In the critical hours following hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters, rapid situational awareness is essential,” said Chris Echols, CSA’s vice president of commercial operations and Geomatics Lead. “By deploying autonomous craft rather than personnel in potentially hazardous environments, we can safely and efficiently deliver precise images and data from above, on, and below the water that allow response teams to prioritise the most appropriate action plan. Our latest acquisition, the WingtraOne GEN II UAV, brings a new dynamic to our time-sensitive surveying capabilities, delivering high-resolution aerial maps, 3D models, and orthomosaics with ultra-precise accuracy—as tight as 1 cm with Post-Processed Kinematic (PKK).”
“Our mission is simple: to deliver clarity, speed, and safety when it matters most,” added Echols. “By integrating surface and subsurface data, CSA is now able to deliver an unparalleled understanding of the post-disaster landscape, enhancing decision-making for emergency managers, FEMA units, insurers, and infrastructure providers, all while keeping personnel out of harm’s way in often dangerous and unpredictable environments.
“All CSA’s disaster response technologies are engineered to minimise risk to personnel while accelerating the delivery of actionable insights. Whether scanning rooftops for insurance assessments, identifying structural collapse, or guaranteeing safe maritime navigation, CSA’s disaster response service is designed to optimise survey time, streamline overheads, and increase operational confidence.”
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Europe
- Date: 9 July, 2025
- Year: 2025
A report from Persistence Market Research looks at the number of ways occupational health and safety is changing around the world.
The research found that the global workplace safety systems market is undergoing a major transformation as organisations increasingly prioritise worker protection, regulatory compliance, and uninterrupted operations.
Rising incidences of workplace hazards, coupled with stricter safety regulations and growing awareness of employee well-being, are driving widespread adoption across sectors such as manufacturing, construction, energy, and healthcare.
According to Persistence Market Research, advanced safety technologies, which are ranging from fire suppression and gas detection to PPE monitoring and machine guarding, are now essential to modern industrial operations.
Among the fastest-growing segments are real-time monitoring systems and smart PPE, powered by AI and IoT. These innovations enable proactive risk detection and real-time compliance monitoring, reducing the likelihood of accidents and improving response times.
Europe trends
North America currently leads the global market, thanks to early adoption of advanced safety solutions and a robust regulatory environment, particularly under OSHA. However, Europe also holds a strong position, backed by EU-wide directives and investment in Industry 4.0.
Recently, a groundbreaking report from the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) has, for the first time, put a price tag on the economic toll of work-related stress across the European Union, estimating it at over €100bn (US$105bn) annually.
The study, titled 'Work-related stress and cardiovascular diseases', highlights the staggering financial and human costs of workplace stress, linking it to cardiovascular diseases and mental health disorders like depression.
The ETUI report reveals that work-related stress contributes significantly to cardiovascular diseases, which account for a substantial portion of the €100 billion cost. These expenses stem from healthcare costs, lost productivity, and absenteeism due to stress-induced illnesses. The study also underscores the mental health impact, with depression caused by workplace stress adding to the economic strain.
Meanwhile, Asia Pacific is emerging as the fastest-growing region, propelled by rapid industrialisation, large-scale construction, and evolving government safety mandates in countries like China, India, and Japan.
Markets in Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are also expanding as awareness and enforcement of workplace safety continue to improve.
The adoption of technologies such as AI, wearable devices, cloud-based platforms, and smart analytics is reshaping how organisations manage safety. These tools offer real-time insights and predictive capabilities that turn reactive models into proactive strategies.
Wearable tech like smart vests and helmets with biometric sensors is enabling continuous health and hazard monitoring on the job.
However, challenges remain. High implementation costs, integration issues with legacy infrastructure, and concerns over data privacy, particularly with surveillance and wearables, can impede adoption.
Additionally, the lack of global standardisation complicates cross-border implementation.
Despite these hurdles, opportunities abound. Safety-as-a-service (SaaS) models are making cutting-edge solutions more accessible to smaller firms.
Digitisation, supported by cloud computing and data analytics, is enabling scalable, cost-efficient safety management systems.
As more regions develop formal safety mandates and the industrial sector modernises, the global workplace safety systems market is set for sustained growth, playing a crucial role in shaping the future of safe, efficient work environments.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Middle East
- 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.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Middle East
- 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.”
- Details
- Louise Waters
- North America
- Topic: Fire Safety
- Region: North America
- Date: 4 July 2025
- Year: 2025
‘Explosion, fire or burns’ was the leading cause of fatalities in the oil and gas sector in 2024, according to the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers' (IOGP) newly-published Safety Performance Indicators, which are based on data from its member companies
‘Explosion, fire or burns’ accounted for 41% of fatalities, with 13 fatalities in five separate incidents.
‘Struck by (not dropped object)’ accounted for 13% of fatalities, with four fatalities in four separate incidents. ‘Assault or violent act' also accounted for 13% of fatalities, with four fatalities in a single incident, while falls from height accounted for three fatalities.
According to the Safety Performance Indicators, there were 32 fatalities in 2024 occurring in 21 separate incidents. While all of these incidents were tragedies, it is nevertheless encouraging that the fatal accident rate (0.77) was 6% lower than last year’s figure (0.82), and has decreased by over 90% since 1985.
In terms of activity, the highest number of fatalities was recorded in 'Drilling, workover, well operations' (34%), with 11 fatalities as a result of six separate incidents.
The overall total recordable injury rate (TRIR) was 0.81, 4% lower than in 2023 (0.84), while the overall lost time injury rate (LTIR) (fatalities and lost work day cases per million work hours) was 0.24, unchanged compared with 2023.
Participating IOGP member companies reported 946 lost work day cases (LWDCs), 22% categorised as ‘Slips and trips’, 20% 'Caught in, under or between (excl. dropped objects)' and 16% ‘Struck by (not dropped object).
North America had a fatal accident rate of 0.93 compared with a global average of 0.77, and total recordable injury rate again relatively high at 1.62 compared with a global average of 0.81, while the LTIR was 0.28, near to the global average of 0.24.
North America fatalities
In North America there were seven fatalities in 2024, with 208 LWDCs. These reflect the predominance of the ‘explosion, fire or burns’ category as the cause of fatalities.
The fatalities were as follows:
- One contractor employee died as a result of a fire in a large-scale production operation onshore Mexico, where lack of communications between workers was cited as a factor;
- An employee of a subcontractor died as a result of a traffic collision, onshore USA;
- A contractor worker in an onshore USA operation died during the re-running of tubing into a well after repair, when the travelling block of the draw works struck them while being lowered to the rig floor. Not following correct procedures and the disabling or removal of guards, warning systems or safety devices were cited as factors;
- A worker was electrocuted during a flex line spooling operation, onshore USA, when a telehandler made contact with an overhead powerline. Inadequate initial emergency response and inadequate or incorrect use of equipment were cited as factors;
- Three contractors died as a result of a fire in a processing centre, offshore Mexico where there was a sudden loss of containment and release of gas in a high-pressure fuel gas heater, causing a fire and explosion. The fire spread due to the storage of hazardous chemicals located on the second and third levels of the platform and the poor coordination in emergency response. Lack of planning, failure in communications and inadequate maintenance/inspection/testing were cited as factors.
“The two most adopted IOGP Recommended Practices, the Life Saving Rules and Process Safety Fundamentals were developed based on analysis of the fatal accident data, and following these will help prevent future incidents,” said Steve Norton, IOGP Health, Safety, Security & Wells director. “At IOGP we continue to promote adoption of these practices and through the work of the Committees update and issue new Recommended Practices to address key gaps observed in the safety data.”
IOGP is currently developing new guidance for Process Safety in Design, Process Safety for Leaders, Guidelines for Determination of Process Safety Events that could result in Fatality and / or Permanent Impairment, and Process Safety Leading Indicators.
The Safety Performance Indicators are free to download from the IOGP website at https://www.iogp.org/bookstore/product-category/safety/
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Middle East
- 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.”