Regional coverage

Middle East

Details: Louise Waters; Middle East

Saudi Arabia’s National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (NCOSH) and Sabentis, a technology company specialised in digital solutions for Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), are looking at a potential collaboration aimed at strengthening the prevention culture, promoting technological innovation, and enhancing occupational health and safety, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030

The two entities have initiated a joint process of technical analysis and environmental validation to evaluate advanced digital solutions that would integrate management, oversight, and training in occupational safety into a unified national ecosystem, according to an article on Sabentis’ website. The project is currently in an exploratory and proof-of-concept testing phase, to determine the technical and regulatory feasibility of applying artificial intelligence, data analytics, and automation to Saudi Arabia’s preventive systems. During this stage, functional tests and technical pilots will assess the platform’s performance in real environments, ensuring compliance with the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) and the standards of the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA).

This exploratory collaboration between NCOSH and Sabentis aligns with the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which promotes digitalisation and emphasises workplace safety, efficiency, and worker well-being as key drivers of sustainable growth.

“The collaboration between NCOSH and Sabentis represents an important step in the convergence of technology, prevention, and sustainable development,” comments Sabentis. “Although still in a phase of technical analysis and validation, this initiative lays the groundwork for a project that could transform workplace safety in Saudi Arabia and serve as an international benchmark for preventive innovation in the field of Occupational Safety and Health.”

Middle East

Details: Louise Waters; Middle East

Saudi Arabia has introduced the Regulation on Occupational Fitness and Non-Communicable Diseases Examinations, designed to enhance workplace health and safety throughout the Kingdom

The regulation provides a comprehensive framework to enable early detection of non-communicable diseases, enhance workers’ health in workplaces, assess mental and physical fitness, reduce occupational diseases and injuries, and ensure the suiable selection of candidates for sensitive professions. It also seeks to strengthen workplace prevention measures and improve worker wellbeing, thereby improving productivity.

The regulation requires employers to implement mandatory pre-employment medical examinations and periodic check-ups for employees, with special provisions for workers in hazardous or high-risk professions.

It also requires employers to classify roles by risk profile, ensuring that assessments align with actual workplace exposures. This includes tests such as respiratory fit testing, audiometry and spirometry.

In addition, the regulation establishes comprehensive health databases to track the health of all employees, supporting decision-making and enhancing preventive oversight.

The regulation applies to public entities, private sector establishments and non-profit organisations – covering employees of all contract types, including remote workers, trainees and persons with disabilities.

“The new Occupational Fitness & Non-communicable Diseases Examinations Regulation marks a major step forward in Saudi Arabia’s occupational health and safety landscape,” comments law firm Dentons.

“By standardising medical examinations, embedding risk-based approaches and strengthening data protections, the Regulation enhances both worker well-being and organisational resilience.

“For employers, compliance will require investment in systems, training and governance – but the payoff is clear: a healthier, safer and more productive workforce that is aligned with the Kingdom’s long-term economic transformation objectives.”

A lab technician decanting a beaker of oil into a test tube.

Middle East

Details: Matthew Hayhoe; Middle East

At the inauguration of the new Jordan Oil Terminals Company's laboratory, a facility that will provide testing and quality assurance services for petrochemicals, Jordan's Energy Minister Saleh Kharabsheh praised the facility's world-leading safety and quality standards

Kharabsheh also highlighted the new facility's alignment with Jordan's Economic Modernisation Vision, which hopes to enhance the efficiency and safety of key sectors, of which energy reigns large.

Jordan Oil Terminals Company's new facility was reported to employ accredited analytics and embody the highest global standards in the safety and quality of its operations, according to media reports.

Energy Minister Kharabsheh was joined by public and private sector officials and business representatives, as well as ministers from across industrial sectors, at the inauguration. The union of public and private sector was addressed by the Minister, who iterated the importance of partnerships in sustainable development and industry competitiveness.

Ashraf Rawashded, Jordan Oil Terminals Company's general director, suggested the opening of the laboratory will be reflected on as a key milestone for his company, highlighting the key role the oil and gas sector will play in its ongoing operational footprint expansion.

Middle East

Details: Louise Waters; Middle East

Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) has won the ‘Excellence in Safety’ Award from the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA), the latest in a string of health and safety awards

The award recognises Alba’s outstanding achievements in workplace safety, including reducing total injuries by nearly 60% over the past five years, fostering a bottom-up approach that ensures active employee engagement in safety initiatives, and maintaining the highest standards in safe lifting operations through continuous training and certification of its staff as lifting tackle inspectors.

Ali Al Baqali, Alba’s chief executive officer, said, “Winning this award from a globally respected body like LEEA is a reflection of Alba’s relentless pursuit of safety as a core value. This recognition inspires us to keep empowering our workforce and fostering a culture where safety leads every decision.”

With over 80 years since its establishment in London, UK, LEEA is a globally recognised authority in the lifting industry and related practices, collaborating with cross-sector members to advance safety standards and set benchmarks for excellence.

Alba’s strong commitment to safety is reflected in a number of safety achievements this year, including the milestone of 40 million safe working hours without a Lost Time Injury (LTI), reached on 06 October 2025, reinforcing its position as a global leader in industrial safety.

“Reaching 40 million safe working hours is more than a milestone, it’s a reflection of our strong safety culture, the commitment of our people, and the strong collaboration between our employees and contractor personnel,” said Al Baqali during a celebration attended by senior officials and employees at the company’s premises.

“This success is a direct result of our workers’ dedication, discipline, and resilience. Working safely under the demanding conditions of aluminium smelting requires focus and teamwork and our people have consistently delivered.”

The company’s commitment to cultivating a world-class safety culture for its workforce 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, British Safety Council 2025 International Safety Award and several major awards from the USA’s National Safety Council (NSC).

Alba prioritises worker safety into every layer of its operations, believing 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.

Middle East

Details: Louise Waters; Middle East

Dubai has tightened up regulations relating to the trading, manufacture, supply, storage and transport of petroleum products, in line with global best practices

The resolution was issued by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, in his capacity as Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, in a bid to curb illegal trading, mitigate environmental impact, and safeguard lives, property, and public safety.

Provisions of the resolution apply to all entities engaged in these activities across Dubai, except for companies exempted by a UAE Cabinet decision.

The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy is now responsible for overseeing petroleum trading activities in the emirate. Its duties include setting rules on competition and market concentration, approving technical standards and procedures for trading, storage, transport, sale, and use of petroleum, and ensuring compliance with health, safety, and environmental requirements.

The Council also issues, renews, and amends permits, determines the number and locations of fuel stations, approves standards for transport vehicles, storage facilities, and household gas cylinders, and identifies areas within the emirate where the trading of petroleum products is prohibited, in coordination with the relevant authorities.

The resolution prohibits any person from engaging in petroleum trading activities in the emirate without authorisation from the licensing authority. Such activities may only be carried out after the source of the petroleum materials has been verified and documentation confirming acquisition from a Council-approved company has been submitted.

According to the resolution, violations of petroleum trading rules incur fines up to a maximum of one million dirhams.

The Supreme Council of Energy has the power to cancel permits, temporarily close facilities for up to six months, revoke commercial licences, and seize, destroy, or re-export petroleum materials and vehicles that do not comply with the rules.

Middle East

Details: Middle East

The treatment of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia is again under the spotlight following the publishing of a new report by Amnesty International.

The 42-page report focuses on migrant workers on the Riyadh Metro project who, it claims, were forced to pay exorbitant recruitment fees, worked in dangerous heat and earned pitiful wages during a decade of abuse.

The report — titled ‘Nobody wants to work in these situations: A decade of exploitation on the Riyadh Metro project’ — documents labour abuses on one of Saudi’s flagship infrastructure projects.

Promoted as the ‘backbone’ of Riyadh’s public transport system, the newly opened metro was built by leading international and Saudi firms under government direction and is slated for further expansion.

However, many of the workers Amnesty interviewed were charged illegal fees to secure work and then endured long, arduous hours in sometimes unsafe conditions for minimal, discriminatory pay.

It claimed it spoke to 38 men from Bangladesh, India and Nepal who were employed by a range of foreign and Saudi companies, including main contractors, subcontractors and labour suppliers, between 2014 and 2025.

Many workers reported facing various abuses, such as passport confiscation, overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions, poor-quality food, and discriminatory treatment based on job rank.

For nearly all, the abuse started before they left home, but continued upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.

“The Riyadh Metro is hailed as the backbone of the capital’s transport system, yet beneath its sleek exterior lies a decade of abuses enabled by a labour system that sacrifices migrant workers’ human rights,” said Marta Schaaf, Amnesty International’s Director for Climate, Economic Social Justice and Corporate Accountability.

Schaaf added that it exposes a glaring failure by the government to enforce protections and dismantle a system that leaves workers at high risk of exploitation.

The report also flagged inspections that focus more on compliance with Saudization targets and the legality of migrant workers’ employment status than on safeguarding rights.

“As Saudi Arabia pushes ahead with high-profile giga-projects, including the 2034 World Cup, the authorities must completely dismantle the kafala sponsorship system and rigorously enforce labour laws in line with global human rights standards,” said Schaaf.

“Strengthening safeguards and ensuring accountability for the millions of migrant workers who make these ventures possible is the only way to ensure they are no longer treated as disposable.”

For companies operating in Saudi Arabia, the findings should alsoserve as a clear warning.

“Without robust processes in place early on and an adequate plan to address any human rights concerns, businesses risk being directly linked or contributing to systematic labour abuses,” Schaaf added.

Middle East

Details: Middle East

The Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) trade union, which has previously criticised FIFA for awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, has signed a new five-year collaboration agreement with the global football federation.

The partnership, which runs though to 2030, sets a framework for joint inspections, training, and reporting to promote decent and safe working conditions for all workers involved in the construction and renovation of stadiums and other infrastructure linked to FIFA tournaments.

The agreement, signed recently by BWI President Per-Olof Sjöö and FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström, establishes a formal structure for cooperation between both organisations.

“This agreement builds on years of experience and critical partnership,” said Ambet Yuson, BWI’s General Secretary. “It provides a clear process not only to monitor but also to prevent and remedy abuses, ensuring that commitments to human rights translate into concrete improvements for workers.”

The two organisations also worked together in Qatar, which hosted the 2022 World Cup, to work toward improved labour standards.

However, the BWI later criticised FIFA for not seeing through further changes in Qatar, as well as the decision to hand the 2034 tournament to Saudi Arabia.

According to international media, Yuson, cited by The Guardian newspaper, accused FIFA of conducting a bidding process “without any robust assessment” and saying the tournament left the risk of a “permanent stain in the world of sport.”

Under the latest accord, BWI and FIFA will conduct joint labour inspections of FIFA World Cup and other worksites and undertake training and capacity building for workers’ representatives, grievance handling, and occupational health and safety.

BWI said in a statement that the new agreement consolidates previous experiences from past tournaments into a formal platform for dialogue, monitoring, prevention and remedy, ensuring lessons learned are applied and that violations, where identified, are addressed in a transparent and timely way.

With upcoming confirmed global tournaments in Canada, Mexico and the United States (2026), Brazil (2027), Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay (2030), North and Central America (2031), and Saudi Arabia (2034), the collaboration will be implemented across diverse political and industrial contexts.

Both organisations acknowledge the importance of maintaining transparency, accountability, and constructive engagement to ensure that workers’ rights are respected throughout the relevant supply chains, noted FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström.

“Like BWI, FIFA takes workers’ rights very seriously. It is essential that all workers involved in projects connected to FIFA tournaments enjoy good working conditions, a fair income, safety in the workplace, social protection and integration. We want to ensure that everyone benefits when a country hosts a FIFA tournament, and that includes those who build the infrastructure.”

H.E. Khalfan Abdullah Al Mansoori, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Hazardous Materials Management Centre, and H.E. Dr. Tariq Ahmed Al Ameri, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority signing an MoU at the headquarters of the Hazardous Materials Management Centre.

Middle East

Details: Matthew Hayhoe; Middle East

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

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

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

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

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

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

Europe

Details: Sania Aziz; Europe

The EU’s Vision Zero initiative, aiming for zero fatalities and serious injuries on European roads by 2050, has brought road safety into sharp focus.

While infrastructure improvements and driver training remain important, the spotlight has shifted to standardising vehicle safety technology. This is the aim of the EU General Safety Regulation (GSR), a comprehensive framework mandating advanced safety features in new vehicles.

For Europe’s largest asset-based logistics company, Girteka, the results are already evident. The GSR was introduced to tackle the human error factor, which accounts for up to 90% of road accidents, and to make vehicles safer for both occupants and Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) such as pedestrians and cyclists. Its phased implementation began in July 2022 for new vehicle types with basic advanced systems, progressing to all new registrations in July 2024, requiring a full suite of eight mandatory Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) on trucks and buses, including blind spot detection, advanced emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assistance, intelligent speed assistance, and driver fatigue monitoring.

Eurostat reports that in 2024 there were over 4 million goods vehicles registered in the EU, with vehicles over 30 tonnes completing 83.1% of total freight transport in tonne-kilometres. HGVs under two years old accounted for 20.2% of road freight, highlighting the sector’s rapid fleet renewal. Manufacturers including Volvo, Scania, Mercedes-Benz, DAF, and MAN have embraced the regulations, incorporating ADAS technologies that were previously optional.

Real-world impact

Scania noted that its trucks already had “most of the required safety assistance technology,” while DAF and Volvo confirmed compliance and projected further advancements in active safety technology. Anna Wrige Berling, Traffic and Product Safety Director at Volvo Trucks, said, “Looking further ahead, trucks will become more intelligent and more active when it comes to safety, with more features that intervene rather than just inform,” emphasising that drivers remain “the most important safety system in the truck.”

Girteka’s experience demonstrates the real-world impact of these regulations. Since July 2024, the company has added over 2,400 GSR-compliant trucks to its fleet, with plans for up to 8,000 more by 2026. Internal data shows a 10% reduction in accidents within a year, particularly in low-speed manoeuvres, small collisions, and blind spot incidents, the very scenarios the new ADAS technologies were designed to address.

Dainius Augutis, Transport Function & Support Department Manager at Girteka, said, “The EU's GSR is a powerful market signal that pushes safety technology from a premium add-on to a universal standard. The collaboration between fleet owners like Girteka, who provide the data and demand, and manufacturers, who provide the engineering, is what makes Vision Zero achievable.”

Beyond metrics, the human impact is profound. Drivers benefit from safer conditions and lower stress, communities face reduced risks, and clients experience fewer disruptions. By combining regulation, advanced technology, and comprehensive driver training, Girteka shows that safety excellence is inseparable from operational excellence. The company’s results underline that well-designed regulations and proactive fleet investment can accelerate safety innovation, offering a blueprint for the future of safer, smarter logistics across Europe.

Middle East

Details: Sania Aziz; Middle East

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Middle East

Details: Louise Waters; Middle East

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Europe

Details: Sania Aziz; Europe

SHOWA has introduced ChemRest CC700, a new glove developed to solve a long-standing safety challenge in high-risk sectors: achieving dependable chemical resistance and strong cut protection without sacrificing dexterity.

Workers in industries including mining, chemicals, oil and gas, and heavy construction are routinely exposed to sharp edges and hazardous liquids. Until now, employers have typically faced a trade off between thick chemical resistant gloves that restrict movement or lighter cut resistant gloves that fail to provide sufficient protection from liquids. CC700 has been engineered specifically to eliminate this limitation.

The glove features an 18 gauge seamless HPPE knit liner that delivers a close, flexible fit. This is paired with a double dipped nitrile coating and a rough textured palm that enhances grip in oily or wet environments. The design improves durability, control and comfort while helping reduce the hand fatigue that often results from wearing chemical protective gloves for long periods.

ChemRest CC700 is certified to EN 388:2016 cut protection at Level E (ANSI A5) and EN 374 1:2016 Type A chemical resistance. This makes it a genuine dual protection solution for today’s demanding workplaces. Safety is further supported by an orange indicator yarn embedded in the liner, which makes damage or wear visible more quickly.

“Employers have long faced the dilemma of protecting their teams against both chemical and cut hazards without forcing them to compromise on performance,” said Tony Lynch, Vice President EMEA & USA, SHOWA. “ChemRest CC700 is the first glove in its class to deliver robust protection on both fronts while maintaining the dexterity needed for precise tasks. It not only improves safety but also simplifies PPE selection and inventory management for our customers.”

By removing the need for multiple glove types on site, CC700 helps streamline PPE training and reduces the risk of workers selecting the wrong protection in fast paced environments. Available in sizes from S to XXL, it has been developed with diverse workforces in mind and is suited to mineral handling, chemical treatment, painting, spray workshops and drilling tasks.

The launch of CC700 reinforces SHOWA’s standing as an innovator in industrial hand protection. By integrating advanced cut resistant yarns with proven chemical barrier technologies, the company continues to push safety standards forward for high risk industries.

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