Cleveland Clinic CEO and President Tom Mihaljevic celebrate AI's potential "to continue to advance and fulfill our mission of caring for life, researching for health and educating those who serve" when signing a partnership agreement with G42
The taskforce will strategise the advancement of AI technology in healthcare, evaluate and accelerate potential projects, and co-develop solutions.
Continuing, Mihaljevic vowed, "Cleveland Clinic is committed to finding opportunities that improve patient safety, patient experience, patient outcomes and access."
Solutions developed as a result of the partnership are expected to be implemented not only within the Ohio-headquartered Cleveland Clinic institutes and G42's anchor operations in the Middle East but worldwide.
Peng Xiao, G42's group CEO, noted that, "AI’s potential to transform the healthcare industry remains largely untapped... AI is paving the way for a future where care is not only more precise but also deeply personalized and preventative.
"We look forward to embarking on this journey alongside Cleveland Clinic and other global partners, harnessing AI to unlock new frontiers in medicine, empower clinicians with unprecedented insights, and ultimately, reshape the way humanity experiences health and longevity."
UL Solutions, a global leader in applied safety science, has signed an MoU with Aramco to collaborate on advancing fire and life safety to meet Aramco’s requirements and support public safety in Saudi Arabia, as well as testing and personnel training on UL standards and workplace safety
The MoU includes collaboration to support Aramco’s IKTVA programme goals, which support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic transformation plan, including developing the local energy sector, creating new jobs, improving supply chain efficiency and promoting Saudi Arabia as an export hub.
“With our mission of working for a safer world, we are ready to support the goals of Aramco and Saudi Arabia for a safer and more sustainable future,” said Jomy Joseph, regional director of the Middle East and Africa at UL Solutions. “This MoU fosters a better understanding of stakeholder requirements and how we can help enable innovation for a safer and more successful future in Saudi Arabia with our longstanding expertise in fire and life safety science.”
“Our potential collaboration with UL Solutions through this MoU marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to advancing fire safety standards and enhancing emergency response capabilities,” said Abdullah M. Ghamdi, vice president of Fire Protection at Aramco. “Together, we look forward to combining our strengths toward achieving Vision 2030 by creating safer environments, enhancing our respective capabilities and promoting a culture of continuous improvement in fire safety practices.”
Saudi Arabia’s fire and life safety standards are being upgraded as part of the Vision 2030 plan, in alignment with the Kingdom’s rapid growth, with the expansion of mega and giga projects significantly increasing the demand for specialised Fire & Life Safety expertise. International consultancy AESG recently announced it is strengthening its fire and life safety business in Saudi Arabia, and the US-based NFPA is stepping up its collaboration with Saudi Arabia to advance fire and life safety standards in line with the country’s rapid development, to support the Kingdom’s mega projects. Local and regional demand for fire prevention and safety implementation systems is anticipated to continue to grow strongly.
Houston-based SureWerx, a prominent global supplier of safety gear, tools, and equipment, has completed its acquisition of Reliance Fall Protection, LLC, a company specialising in fall safety solutions.
The financial details of the deal were not made public.
Reliance Fall Protection, with operations in Houston, Texas, and Arvada, Colorado, has been a key player in the industry since its founding in 2000.
The company initially gained recognition for developing horizontal lifeline systems that minimise fall height requirements while maintaining structural integrity at the endpoints.
Over the years, it has expanded its portfolio to include a broad range of safety products tailored for construction and height-related work.
These offerings encompass self-retracting lifelines—such as the Enviroshield Sealed-Block, Skyloc II, and MicroLoc—along with harnesses, lanyards, an Aluminum Rail Fall Arrest System, and various anchors, including adjustable davits.
The acquisition enhances SureWerx’s position in the fall protection market, adding Reliance’s expertise to its existing lineup.
“Adding Reliance Fall Protection to our growing, world-class portfolio of fall protection products and SureWerx brands moves us ever further toward our goal of becoming the global leader in safety and productivity,” said SureWerx CEO Chris Baby.
“Reliance Fall Protection complements our FALL SAFE and PeakWorks fall protection brands and brings us closer to building a robust and innovative fall protection portfolio as part of the SureWerx platform. Reliance Fall Protection excels in the most technical and demanding portion of the fall protection market, setting them apart from their competition. We are thrilled to be adding this highly respected brand to our market-leading portfolio of best-in-class safety products.”
Reliance Fall Protection has built its brand on advancing safety standards through accessible, high-quality equipment.
“Reliance Fall Protection has always been dedicated to raising the standards of personal fall protection equipment by providing readily accessible products both regionally and nationally. Reliance Fall Protection prides itself on exceeding customers’ expectations by meeting regulatory safety standards in ANSI Z359 and ISO 17025 internally,” said Reliance Fall Protection founder, Joe Shaw.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with SureWerx, a company that holds the same values and commitment to worker safety as Reliance Fall Protection. Their reach into the global industrial markets across multiple channels will undoubtedly accelerate growth of all Reliance Fall Protection’s well-respected brands. We are in good hands—the future for Reliance Fall Protection is destined for accelerated growth and the shared continued commitment to keeping workers safe!”
The move aligns with SureWerx’s strategy to expand its influence in the safety and productivity sector, particularly in construction and industrial markets worldwide, including the GCC region where it has a growing presence.
Industry observers see this acquisition as a step toward consolidating advanced fall protection solutions under one umbrella, potentially benefiting workers in high-risk environments.
The UAE Ministry of Community Empowerment has issued a ministerial resolution announcing the official establishment of the Safety and Emergency Security Association, designed to promoting a culture of safety and enhancing community readiness in the face of emergencies
The association, which will be headquartered in the Emirate of Sharjah, is the initiative of a group of distinguished national experts with extensive experience in safety and emergency security and stems from a belief in the importance of collective action and cross-sector collaboration to promote prevention, safety, and empowerment across various fields.
The association is set to play an important role in raising public awareness of safety concepts and preventive measures. This will be achieved through awareness campaigns and activities aimed at various segments of society across all age groups. It will also target non-Arabic and non-English speakers who might struggle to access safety information due to language barriers, with dedicated training in their languages, and multi-lingual information.
In addition, it will offer specialised training programmes to develop skills in safety and emergency preparedness, a key initiative being to train fresh graduates interested in this area. It will strengthen collaboration with government, academic, and private entities to expand strategic partnerships—ultimately enhancing the community’s readiness to respond to emergencies.
The launch of the association coincides with the announcement by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, designating 2025 as the “Year of Community” under the theme “Hand in Hand.” This national initiative aims to strengthen social bonds and community cohesion, instill values of cooperation and belonging, preserve cultural heritage, and encourage active participation through community service, volunteering, and impactful initiatives—all of which reinforce a culture of shared responsibility and drive collective progress.
The association will emphasise the importance of teamwork and shared responsibility across sectors to enhance prevention, promote safety, and empower communities.
"Safety and security are not limited to environmental disasters. A disaster can take many forms, environmental or health-related," said Haitham Mohammed Al Raeesi, the association's Chairman and Manager, Emergency, Crisis & Business Continuity at Dubai Municipality.
"Our role is to raise awareness among individuals on how to act in emergencies, whether it's a fire or a personal crisis. As a non-profit organisation, our goal is to build an informed community."
Global HSE Group's training division has launched a new fire safety qualification, crafted for construction professionals
Understanding Fire Safety Design hopes to establish the foundational fire safety knowledge required to work in safety-critical environments such as construction sites.
The course promises both theory and practical application to integrate fire safety into the project design and execution stages.
Global HSE Group's head of technical and training, Chris Sharman, said the qualification "has been created for individuals working on construction projects such as Principal Designers, or individuals within Principal, Main, or sub-contractors with a level of design liability where fire safety knowledge is crucial.
"This demonstrates Global Academy’s commitment to delivering industry-leading training that aligns with ever-evolving fire safety regulations."
Andrew Cooper, Global HSE Group's managing director, added, "Fire safety is a fundamental aspect of building design, and ensuring that professionals have the right knowledge to integrate it effectively is vital.
"The Understanding Fire Safety Design qualification is a significant step forward in equipping learners with both the theoretical knowledge and the practical application needed to enhance safety in the built environment."
Professionals can enrol for the course via Global Academy now.
bp is one of the Gulf of America’s largest oil producers, operating five major production platforms in the region. In an article on its website, bp outlines five ways it is working to keep its Gulf of America employees safe:
1. Principles to keep bp’s people safe
Making sure contractors are fully supported to work safely is critical to the company’s goal of eliminating Tier 1 process safety events. bp hosts a quarterly contractor forum – a dedicated space for bp’s contractors and leaders to talk about safety. Under the company’s Safety Leadership Principles, bp employees and contractors are empowered to speak up when something does not seem right and to stop work if they have concerns.
2. Leveraging digital technology for better planning and monitoring
bp’s Argos platform is using a digital twin of the facility that enables individuals to monitor Argos from bp’s US headquarters in Houston. The technology was recently used to remotely plan an inspection campaign of 300 valves on Argos to ensure they are being maintained correctly, eliminating the need for the team to physically travel back and forth to the platform. Using the twin, the time to complete the inspections was reduced by 50%. The technology is in use across all five of bp’s operated Gulf of America platforms and in other regions.
3. Deploying other cutting-edge technology to reduce risk
In addition to the digital twin, bp is using drones to inspect tanks in its Gulf of America platforms, eliminating the need for employees and contractors to enter confined spaces.
4. Weather safety
Temperatures on bp platforms in the Gulf of America can reach between 125 to 130° Fahrenheit. Keeping bp personnel on the platforms cool is critical to their ability to safely make decisions and follow protocols. bp started a pilot project on the Mad Dog platform for all offshore personnel to use specially designed, lightweight, cooling, fire-retardant clothing. Heat stress meters are being used to provide real-time data of the current heat risk on the platform. For hydration, test systems have been installed in bathrooms allowing the team members to self-monitor and regulate hydration. Hurricane preparedness sessions are also held, and weather forecasts distributed to warn of severe weather events.
5. Training bp’s future leaders
Under bp’s health, safety, environment and carbon (HSE&C) early careers program, recent college graduates are placed in teams with experienced safety professionals and visit platforms in the Gulf of America to learn about the work there. The participants take helicopter training before visiting, do a safety orientation once they arrive and shadow the HSE&C site lead at the facility. Current participants are developing safety resources that focus on specific Process Safety Fundamentals including engaging videos, case studies and discussion prompts for all frontline employees.
“These five aspects reflect bp’s belief that every incident is preventable,” says bp. “Technological improvements, a focus on early training and constant communication, with a continuous drive to learn and improve, go a long way toward reaching that goal. Simply put, everyone must go home safely when their shift is done – full stop.”
Saudi Arabia has made notable strides in Numbeo's recently-published Safety Index, climbing from 26th place in 2024 to 14th in 2025. This remarkable improvement places Saudi Arabia among the top 15 safest countries in the world, surpassing notable nations such as Switzerland, Finland, the Netherlands, and China.
Saudi Arabia’s jump in the rankings saw it overtake several European nations known for their high safety standards, including Switzerland (17th in 2024 to 23rd in 2025), Finland (23rd to 24th), and the Netherlands (21st to 26th).
Overall, as a region, the Middle East reported varying performances in the safety index. The UAE (2nd place) and Qatar (3rd place) continue to earn their status as some of the safest countries worldwide. Oman (5th) also remains a regional leader in safety. Bahrain, though still ranked highly, dropped slightly from 13th to 16th.
Kuwait and Israel, both in the top 40, have also maintained relatively strong positions, though not recording a major upward shift like Saudi Arabia.
Numeo also recently released its Quality of Life index of 62 Asian cities, where the Middle East earned all top three slots. Explore full coverage of those rankings here.
Exposure to welding fumes is a significant occupational hazard, with documented links to lung cancer, asthma, and other respiratory conditions. In 2019, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) classified welding fumes as a Group 1 carcinogen, mandating effective respiratory protective equipment (RPE) for all indoor welding tasks and outdoor welding where ventilation is inadequate.
Darren Binns, Jefferson Tools' national sales manager, emphasised the danger presented by welding fumes. "The risks associated with welding fumes are too serious to ignore. Employers need to take proactive steps to ensure their workers are protected and that means investing in the right equipment."
Jefferson Tools has long supplied the Tundra Air Fed Welding Helmet, designed to provide continuous, filtered airflow to reduce welders' exposure to hazardous fumes. The helmet includes a comfortable carrying belt and a protected air hose for durability. A lightweight, ergonomic design promises comfort for extended use, while an auto-darkening filter ensures clear vision and smooth task transitions.
Introducing the upgraded revision of the helmet, which responds to industry feedback about the former version's visibility with an increased viewing window, Darren continued, "Our enhanced Tundra Air Fed Welding Helmet provides welders with superior protection, comfort, and visibility, making compliance easier while safeguarding long-term health. At Jefferson Tools, we’re committed to helping businesses meet HSE requirements with solutions that put worker safety first."
As regulatory requirements and enforcement measures continue to evolve, effective RPE remains essential in ensuring welders’ long-term health and safety.
In a Q&A with Health, Safety and Environment Review, Ali Abdulla Al Ali, UAE country chair at Petrofac, talks about workplace safety in the UAE and the importance of instilling safety principles from the get-go. Read on:
Can you tell us more about your approach to promoting employee safety and wellbeing and how it has evolved over time?
Safety has been at the heart of my career since the late 1980s, thanks to some incredible mentors like John McFarth. Back in 1980, when I was at Amoco, John drilled three key principles into me: thorough risk assessment, careful planning, and strong supervision. These became my foundation in health and safety, and more recently employee wellbeing.
I’ve built on these values by focusing on the power of training and engagement. Throughout my career at Petrofac in particular, workshopping - for both our teams and clients – has helped make sure safety isn’t a mere checklist, but rather a mindset that is lived every day. I’m also a firm believer in taking time to recognise and reward good safety behaviours. Even small things, like handing out certificates for internal training, can make a big difference.
Over the years I’ve expanded my approach beyond traditional safety measures to include overall wellbeing. One such initiative that I’m involved with is our ‘Know Your Numbers’ campaign, where thousands of our people have taken advantage of free screenings to monitor key health indicators such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and BMI. I am also a certified mental health first aid provider and have led multiple awareness sessions to reduce stigma and encourage open conversations about mental health.
Beyond that, we ensure colleagues are physically prepared for their roles through our ‘Fitness to Work’ programme, which includes health assessments, surveillance for high-risk roles, and return-to-work support for employees recovering from illness or injury.
How do you see your role as an Emirati leader who connects with the subcontinent workforce? What value does this connection bring to your projects and teams?
One of the things I enjoy most about my role is the diversity of our workforce. We employ more than 70 nationalities in total. But a great number of our people come from the Indian subcontinent, and when they realise I can speak Hindi or Urdu, it immediately breaks down barriers, builds trust, makes conversations easier.
When people feel heard and understood, they’re more likely to speak up, whether it’s about a concern or an idea for improvement. That kind of openness is crucial in our industry. And on a bigger scale, as an Emirati leader, I see it as my responsibility to foster inclusion and lead by example.
What do you consider to be the biggest health and safety risks in your industry, and what proactive steps are you taking to mitigate them?
Our role is to design and build big energy infrastructure plants. Its inherently dangerous work, but to give you a specific example, one of the biggest risks we face is during the commissioning and startup phase, especially when introducing hydrocarbons into a facility. This is a critical moment, if something goes wrong, it can have serious consequences.
That’s why we take a comprehensive approach to safety, from detailed start up reviews, regular drills to awareness workshops. Everyone on site needs to know the protocols inside out. We also place a huge emphasis on supervision and attention to detail.
Learning from the past is just as important. We record every incident, no matter how small, because that data helps us improve. We have an app where our people can log HSEQ observations and we look for trends in observations and make interventions before incidents occur. We also survey our staff to give us feedback on our processes, and we hold lots of open forums like town halls to keep communication regular, open and two-way.
What advice would you give to other HSE leaders looking to implement a more inclusive and multilingual approach to health and safety?
Instead of translating HSE materials as an afterthought, we design them from the start with different audiences in mind. That means using clear visuals, straightforward translatable language, and real-world examples that make sense to the people reading them. When safety feels relatable, people engage with it more.
It’s also important to create an environment where everyone, regardless of their background or language, feels empowered to contribute to the overall culture of safety in an organisation.
How do you measure the success and effectiveness of your safety initiatives at Petrofac?
We believe in keeping things simple. Going back to basics is key to safe and reliable operations so we track our progress through hard data and real feedback.
Some of the key factors we look at include lost time injuries (LTIs), safety observations, audits, permits issued, kilometres travelled, and total man-hours worked. Beyond the numbers, we listen to our people. If employees feel safer, more engaged, and more empowered to take ownership of safety, that’s when we know we’re making an impact.
Radars are playing an increasingly pivotal role in advancing autonomous driving technology, with front and side radars forming essential components of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
According to IDTechEx’s latest report, "Automotive Radar Market 2025-2045: Robotaxis & Autonomous Cars," innovations in radar technology are pushing autonomy to new levels, particularly with the growing adoption of Level 2+ systems in the US and Europe.
Front radars are fundamental for object detection, supporting key ADAS functions such as adaptive cruise control (ACC) and automatic emergency braking (AEB). The push to enhance front radar capabilities is driving innovation in the sector, with angular resolution and range emerging as top priorities. These improvements are expected to significantly refine vehicle automation and safety features, taking precedence over factors like field of view and compactness.
Side radars are primarily utilised for blind spot detection (BSD), with lane change assist (LCA) serving as an advanced extension of this technology. LCA helps vehicles assess approaching traffic before executing lane changes, enhancing overall safety. Cross-traffic alert (CTA) is another crucial function, particularly useful when reversing out of parking spaces. Additionally, junction pedestrian AEB combines input from front and side radars to detect pedestrians at intersections before a vehicle completes a turn, demonstrating the collaborative potential of radar systems in improving road safety.
Unlike front radars, side radars require a wide field of view to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings effectively. Compact design is also a priority, allowing for seamless integration into vehicles without compromising aesthetics or functionality. However, long-range detection is less critical for side radars, with an effective range of up to 50 metres being sufficient for their primary tasks.
IDTechEx describes Level 2+ as a bridge between Level 2 and Level 3 autonomy, allowing drivers to operate vehicles hands-free while maintaining focus on the road. This level of automation has gained significant momentum, particularly in the US, where Tesla’s ‘Full Self-Driving’ and Ford’s ‘BlueCruise’ systems are already in operation.
Following its European debut in 2023, Ford’s BlueCruise now operates in 15 countries, according to IDTechEx. Meanwhile, Tesla is targeting 2025 for the launch of fully self-driving vehicles in China, a move expected to accelerate the adoption of Level 2+ systems worldwide. The requirement for driver supervision in Level 2+ systems may be a key factor in their rising popularity over Level 3, as they provide a blend of automation and security, easing liability concerns for manufacturers.
4D radars and the path to higher autonomy
The future of vehicle autonomy hinges on the development of 4D and imaging radars, which offer enhanced elevation and azimuth resolution. These advanced radars will be instrumental in refining vehicle perception, enabling more precise planning and adaptive responses. As a result, they are expected to play a crucial role in facilitating the transition to Level 3 and Level 4 autonomy, bringing fully autonomous vehicles closer to reality.
With radar technology continuing to evolve, its role in autonomous driving is set to expand, reinforcing safety and accelerating the transition towards self-driving vehicles on a global scale.
Omrania, part of the Egis Group, has announced the successful completion of the KAFD Fire Station, a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) that sets a new standard for fire station design as well as promoting firefighter wellbeing
The fire station is an essential emergency response facility and a model of innovation, integrating sustainability, functionality and health-conscious elements. The first LEED Platinum v4-certified fire station in the world, it sets new standards in emergency response infrastructure and energy efficiency. Designed with advanced safety systems, cutting-edge technologies, and a louvered glass façade illuminated by matrix LED lights, the facility is optimised for climate-conscious operations while enhancing firefighting capacity and public safety within the district.
As well as its striking architectural design with dynamic façade screen, the two-level structure has been meticulously designed with operational efficiency in mind. As a fire station within a high-rise district, particular attention has been given to the roof design. The green roof and photovoltaic panels enhance sustainability and reduce the visual impact of mechanical equipment, creating a clean, organised appearance that aligns with the overall aesthetic of the district.
Inside, the facility has been designed with a focus on occupant well-being. A minimalist yet robust interior aesthetic complements the operational needs of firefighters while ensuring long-term durability. In recognition of the intensive nature of firefighting, the station includes dedicated wellness and relaxation spaces, such as a gym, lounges and a central courtyard.
Marwan Bsaibes, managing principal at Omrania, said, "The completion of the KAFD Fire Station marks a milestone in sustainable and functional design. This project is a testament to Omrania’s commitment to delivering innovative and high-quality architecture that enhances the built environment while prioritising the well-being of its users."
MSA Safety discusses the benefits of a layered defense incorporating both gas and flame detection for safety in industrial environments
In industrial settings, safety is paramount, especially in environments where flammable or toxic gases are present, such as the oil, gas and petrochemical industry.
A robust gas detection system is an important line of defense, but it is not the whole story. Integrating flame detection into your safety setup can create a safer and more reliable environment.
Gas detection systems are designed to identify harmful gases in the air, whether combustible, toxic, or asphyxiating. They provide early warnings, helping to enable preventive action before conditions become dangerous. However, gas detection alone doesn’t account for what happens when a gas leak ignites.
Flame detection systems complement gas detectors by identifying the presence of fire, which may occur even where gas concentration hasn’t yet reached detectable levels. Together, these systems can contribute to a more comprehensive safety net that addresses both potential and actual hazards.
Gas detectors and flame detectors work hand-in-hand to prevent accidents and mitigate risks. While gas detectors alert you to the presence of a leak, flame detectors respond to fires that could result from undetected or ignited gases.
A gas leak can ignite in seconds, turning a potential hazard into an active emergency. Flame detectors react in real-time to the presence of a flame, helping to enable prompt action to contain the fire and prevent escalation.
Gas detection systems can only monitor specific zones. In scenarios where a leak occurs outside the detection range or a minor leak ignites directly, flame detectors can be an important second layer of protection.
In industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals and manufacturing, the risk of fire due to flammable gases is ever present. Flame detection helps protect these high-stakes environments against both minor and catastrophic ignition events.
Safety regulations often require both gas and flame detection systems for compliance. Adhering to these standards not only protects your team and assets but also ensures your operations meet legal and industry benchmarks.
Early flame detection can activate suppression systems, limit the spread of fire, and enhance the safety of personnel. By containing incidents quickly, businesses can avoid costly equipment damage and extended downtime.
Combining gas and flame detection creates a more resilient safety framework that reduces the likelihood of accidents and enables a quicker recovery in the event of an incident. This reliability is key to maintaining trust and productivity.
Safety in industrial environments is not about choosing between gas or flame detection — it’s about understanding the benefits of both to build a layered defense.
While gas detectors prevent potential hazards by identifying leaks, flame detectors act as a safeguard when ignition occurs.
Safety managers may consider this combination a necessity in today’s high risk, high stakes industries. By integrating flame detection into your gas detection system, you help to ensure that your operations are protected from the full spectrum of potential hazards, safeguarding lives, assets, and your reputation.
MSA Safety is a North American manufacturer and supplier of safety equipment used in a range of hazardous environments, including construction, military, fire service, and chemical, oil, and gas production. The company has provided its products to sites all across the region, and also partnered with OSHA to highlight workplace safety in Houston.