Regional Coverage
Regional Coverage
- Details
- Madhuri Ramesh
- Europe
- Region: Europe
- Year: 2025
To address the numerous cybersecurity challenges faced by EU countries in the past few years, the European Commission has presented an Action Plan to strengthen the cybersecurity of hospitals and healthcare providers
The rise in data-related threat risks can affect a number of systems that would be likely to have a significant affect on patient care. By building on existing legislation and extending its scope to include general practices, the new Action Plan focuses on impact mitigation as well as preventing, detecting and deterring cyber threats.
Moreover, it also aims to offer bespoke guidance to hospitals and healthcare providers by setting up a pan-European Cybersecurity Support Centre which is scheduled to be set up over the next couple of years.
- Details
- Matthew Hayhoe
- North America
- Region: North America
- Year: 2025
President Trump’s first term had a significant impact on HSE: deregulation and policy shifts hoped to reduce the regulatory burden on businesses, often at the expense of stricter HSE oversight.
Beyond mere strategic priorities, Trump made tangible impacts with the rollback of several regulations from preceding administrations; rollbacks that continue to impact how operators approach legislation and standards. Throughout their first term, Trump & co. reduced the extent of OSHA inspections and potentially delayed the implementation of new safety standards in construction and oil and gas.
While these shifts undoubtedly played a starring role in President Trump's broader mission to streamline operations, reduce project lead-in times (especially in the energy sector) and minimise business costs, many still feel that worker protections were eroded to a degree that they have yet to recover fully from, four years on from the successive administration's inauguration.
In the case of over 100 environmental protections that the New York Times found were rolled back or restricted in breadth, many will argue that, beyond worker protections, the planet paid the price, too.
As Donald Trump is inaugurated for his second term in office, industries should anticipate further deregulation and policies favoring economic growth over stringent oversight.
In the face of such rollbacks, the industry may see current CSR and ESG strategies pushed to the wayside in favour of the lower operating costs and project efficiencies granted by a less-regulated environment. Federal policy changes, and businesses' reaction to them, will become even more critical to project success: those reacting quickest to them will likely be the most efficient, profitable and, in the eyes of many organisations, successful.
Whether short-term cost savings (courtesy of deregulation) cannibalise long-term HSE, ESG and CSR strategies, or businesses hold strong on their ambitious commitments, the sustainability and safety spheres are undoubtedly in for a transformative second Trump term.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Middle East
- Region: Middle East
- Year: 2025
Oil and gas companies in the region are leveraging advanced technologies to prioritise health and safety while boosting operational efficiency.
ADNOC, for instance, has ramped up its use of innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI), advanced analytics, and robotic automation. By employing AI-powered modelling and analysis, the company effectively monitors business continuity strategies and encourages critical health, safety, and environmental (HSE) practices.
Key initiatives include VR-based fire-fighting training and the use of robotic fire-fighting equipment to reduce risks for personnel, as well as in-vehicle monitoring systems that promote safer driving habits—achieving a remarkable 99% reduction in driving violations since 2021. ADNOC has also equipped its rigs with smart glasses to provide real-time video sharing and easy access to technical documents, alongside an electronic work management system with over 100 integrated safety features.
At Aramco’s Yanbu Refinery, drones and robotics are transforming confined space inspections. By deploying specialised caged drones, the refinery has eliminated the need for human entry and scaffolding, significantly enhancing safety and minimising downtime. Across its facilities, Aramco operates over 100 drones to inspect assets and monitor for potential methane leaks, aligning with its emission reduction goals.
Better training
In the maritime industry, Drydocks World has redefined employee education on HSE by adopting technologies such as virtual reality (VR) training, artificial intelligence, and mobile learning. These innovative methods, recognised by the Shiptek ‘Best HSE Initiative’ award, have enhanced training engagement and improved workplace safety outcomes.
Similarly, P&O Maritime Logistics (P&OML) has developed an AI-powered Safety Assistant (AISA) using ChatGPT to guide employees on incident response, compliance requirements, risk assessment, and safety protocols. This tool provides instant access to critical HSE information and resources, fostering a safer and more informed workforce.
Technology providers are finding strong demand in the region’s oil and gas sector. Salunda, for example, recently secured a contract to install its Crew Hawk Red Zone monitoring solution on a jack-up rig.
This system offers real-time monitoring of hazardous zones, tracking personnel and equipment to ensure safety and minimise risks. Meanwhile, WakeCap’s IoT-based safety and productivity solutions helped achieve a 91% reduction in safety incidents at a major gas facility in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province by using advanced real-time analytics.
Additionally, 3t has partnered with the Saudi Arabian Drilling Academy (SADA) to integrate its 3t Drilling Systems simulators into training programmes, aiming to enhance the learning experience for drilling professionals.
- Details
- Matthew Hayhoe
- Europe
- Region: Europe
- Year: 2025
The EU's stringent regulatory framework and varying standards outside of the bloc have inevitably led HSE practices and strategies to differ greatly among parties operating inside and outside of the Union: cooperation is growing all the more critical to establish and adhere to best practices that go above and beyond the standards set by EU regulation.
The European Union's influence on HSE standards is self-evident; companies must adhere to stringent and extensive regulations, ranging from frameworks dictating risk assessment processes to those relating to preventive measures and employee safety.
Companies outside of the Union, however, may operate under vastly different frameworks or regulations; in some regions, HSE requirements may be less comprehensive, while others may exceed the standards and demands laid out by the EU.
This creates discrepancies between different companies and internally within those operating internationally or interregionally, posing a risk to both market competition (where companies may opt to divest from projects subject to more stringent regulations) and worker safety for those falling behind modern HSE standards.
Inevitably, as these discrepancies grow more dramatic, they also complicate international cooperation between teams and projects inside and outside of the European Union, potentially rendering such projects more expensive, less safe, and of greater risk to their surrounding environments.
Looking towards a future that undoubtedly requires international and, indeed, global cooperation to solve matters of emergency or crisis (with recent wildfires and pandemics serving as notable reminders of the fragility of the Earth's environment), it is critical that industry convenes and cooperates to ensure a largely seamless transition between regions and countries. Such cooperation will protect and enhance the stringent (but necessary) HSE regulations that have sparked a massive decline in workplace incidents in the EU, while also enabling companies to expand and operate internationally without regulatory barriers or a compromise of workplace safety.
A continuous and consistent approach can level the currently skewed playing field, reducing competitive disadvantages for businesses adhering to stricter regulations. It also ensures consistency in addressing global challenges like climate change, pollution, and occupational hazards.
Essentially, aligning HSE approaches between EU and non-EU businesses is essential for fostering global safety, sustainability, and equity. Divergent standards will create growing health and environmental risks over the coming decades, particularly in global supply chains, where lower standards outside the EU may undermine broader efforts to protect workers and the environment.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Middle East
- Region: Middle East
- Year: 2025
Safety in construction and industrial sectors remains a top priority for the UAE, with numerous government bodies and private companies launching initiatives to safeguard workers and maintain high safety standards.
From municipal campaigns to industry-specific programs, the emphasis is on creating safer environments, improving compliance with regulations, and fostering a culture of safety across all sectors.
Dubai Municipality’s safety drive
Dubai Municipality recently launched a comprehensive safety campaign focused on ensuring a secure working environment at construction sites across the Emirates. The initiative highlights structural safety and the well-being of workers while aiming to improve contractor awareness. In 2023 alone, Dubai Municipality conducted over 35,000 inspections across 134,858 construction sites to enforce safety standards. Similarly, Abu Dhabi Municipality has rolled out campaigns and workshops targeting safety at construction and demolition sites.
Abu Dhabi DoE's focus on LPG safety
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has also prioritised safety through its annual summer campaign, which promotes the safe use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. This initiative involves engaging directly with restaurants, shopping malls, hotels, and large industrial plants to enhance compliance with safety regulations and raise awareness of proper LPG handling.
Oil and gas industry leading the way
The UAE’s oil and gas sector remains at the forefront of health and safety standards, adhering to internationally benchmarked management systems and embedding a zero-harm culture. National oil companies in the region have introduced numerous initiatives to improve safety outcomes.
Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) reported its best personal and process safety records in 2023, driven by targeted initiatives like the “Boots-On-The-Ground” programme, which provides expert frontline support, intensive training, and additional resources to close safety gaps.
Meanwhile, Saudi Aramco achieved a 16% reduction in total recordable cases per 200,000 hours since 2022. This improvement is attributed to its training investments and a comprehensive Lessons Learned Program, which addresses recurring incidents. To further improve contractor safety, Aramco introduced the ‘Line of Fire’ campaign, targeting construction site workers and focusing on identifying hazards and improving safety behaviours.
Through these concerted efforts by municipalities, government agencies, and industry leaders, the UAE is setting a benchmark for workplace safety in construction and industrial sectors. The campaigns and programs not only aim to minimise risks but also foster a culture of proactive safety, ensuring the well-being of workers and the integrity of operations across the region.
- Details
- Louise Waters
- Middle East
- Region: Middle East
- Year: 2025
A new year brings new opportunities, and there’s no better time to start rethinking your personal safety – both on and off the job, says Larry Wilson, Author and CEO, SafeStart
This month, we’re pausing our Paradigm Shifts series to bring you an exciting invitation: join us for the SafeStart Trainer Certification Level 1 CourseSafeStart Trainer Certification Level 1 Course in Dubai, UAE! This immersive two-day programme is designed to elevate workplace safety, minimise incidents, and cultivate a culture of safety excellence. You’ll gain valuable insights and practical tools to effectively implement the SafeStart process and become a certified trainer.
Event Details
Date: 18–19 February 2025
Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Media Rotana, Hessa Street, Dubai, UAE
What is SafeStart?
SafeStart is a globally renowned safety program that helps organisations reduce workplace incidents by addressing human factors, critical errors, and decision-making risks. This Level 1 certification will guide you through
SafeStart’s six-step process, enabling you to drive long-term cultural change and boost performance.
Explore the agenda highlights here.
Don’t miss this opportunity – spaces are limited, so secure your place today!
Looking forward to seeing you in Dubai!
Warm regards,
Larry Wilson
SafeStart Author and CEO
- Details
- Louise Waters
- Middle East
- Region: Middle East
- Year: 2025
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) will host the second day of the Fire and Rescue Conference at Intersec, taking place from 14-16 January at the Dubai World Trade Center
The programme will features presentations and panel discussions led by global and local fire and life safety experts, bringing together a wide array of stakeholders, including prominent government representatives and private sector leaders from throughout the GCC region. They will address crucial topics such as life safety in residential buildings, fire safety in healthcare environments, emergency preparedness and response, and the role of IoT in smart buildings. In addition, attendees will have the chance to engage in interactive workshops, demonstrating the pioneering VR/AR technologies that are transforming fire safety training.
Organisations taking part in the event include Dubai Civil Defense, who will present a session on the role of AI in enhancing fire safety; Abu Dhabi Civil Defense, who will highlight the critical importance of code compliance; Saudi Aramco, who will offer valuable insights into the integration of automated emergency response systems within the oil and gas sector; and Dubai Holding Group, along with industry leaders from Oman Security and Safety Services Corporation, Siena, King Saud University Medical City, QHSEE, and SIBCA.
Grenfell Tower Fire
Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s Vice President of Outreach & Advocacy will give a presentation exploring lessons learned from the Grenfell Tower fire, which saw more than 70 residents lose their lives, and how fire and life safety experts can apply these insights to improve safety practices, especially in high-rise buildings.
“The lessons from Grenfell continue to resonate globally, underscoring the critical need for vigilance, preparedness, and leadership in fire, life, and electrical safety,” said Carli. “My keynote will explore how we transform tragedy into actionable solutions, driving a culture of safety that protects lives and property. I look forward to engaging with attendees to share insights and strategies that can make a meaningful difference in our rapidly evolving world.”
“NFPA is honoured to be a part of Intersec Dubai 2025, a platform that will bring together global experts and innovators in the fire and safety industry. With the rapid development of infrastructure across the region, we are committed to highlighting the impact of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, IoT, automation, AR, and VR, in enhancing fire safety practices. Our goal is to work alongside our regional partners to drive progress through knowledge-sharing and innovation, ultimately enhancing safety and saving lives,” said NFPA’s director of International Development for MENA.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Middle East
- Region: Middle East
- Year: 2025
Governments in the MENA region have made concerted efforts to drive up standards and embed a positive safety culture in the workplace, enacting new regulations, proactively enforcing adherence and conducting safety awareness campaigns, in collaboration with businesses.
Speaking ahead of the Intersec 2024 Safety & Health Conference in January, Dr Waddah S. Ghanem Al Hashmi, Hon Chairman of the Energy Institute Middle East and Chairman, Federal Occupational Health and Safety Committee, highlighted that the UAE, along with the broader Middle East, has made substantial strides in developing frameworks and practices for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS).
In December 2022, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology issued a standard aligning with ISO 45001:2019, which aims to strengthen leadership engagement in OHS within organisations.
Dr Al Hashmi said, “These updated standards are expected to drive a shift from mere compliance to a culture of value creation and sustainability. Greater leadership involvement will elevate OHS performance and employee engagement and foster a reduction in incidents across industries…I see positive thinking developing in the region.”
In recent developments, the Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) has launched a guide creating a unified reference for the health, occupational safety and environment of all Dubai Government employees, and cultivating a culture for effectively managing such risks.
“We are confident that implementing this handbook will result in the establishment of a strong culture of prevention and risk management, making our institutions more equipped and prepared to handle future challenges and advance sustainable growth,” said Abdullah Ali Bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director-General of the DGHR Department.
Other GCC countries
In Saudi Arabia, initiatives of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health have included the creation of a national platform for reporting and investigating work-related accidents, injuries, and occupational diseases to identify root causes of accidents, establish appropriate rules to reduce them and prevent their recurrence. It is also developing a system to verify OSH practitioners, improving their knowledge and capabilities to implement mandatory health and safety regulations, and running programmes to enhance companies’ compliance with OSH requirements.
According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the Kingdom's work-related injury rate has declined from 416 to 288 injuries per 100,000 workers, marking a 30.7% decrease over recent years, as a result of policies and initiatives to advance worker safety.
All the GCC countries have implemented a midday work ban, prohibiting outdoor activities during the peak heat of summer days. This is designed to protect workers from heat stress, with migrant workers, who make up a large proportion of the construction workforce, being particularly at risk. Noncompliance can lead to penalties ranging from fines to shutting down the violating businesses.
In Qatar, for example, new legislation has been introduced to enhance protections for workers against heat stress during the summer months, including the expansion of the hours during which outdoor work is prohibited. Specific thresholds for suspending outdoor work, whatever the time of day or year, have also been established.
- Details
- Louise Waters
- North America
- Region: North America
- Year: 2025
GlobalData’s latest report 'Virtual Reality in Oil and Gas' highlights the safety benefits of virtual reality (VR) training in the industry, from rigs and pipelines to refineries
Oil and gas companies are now investing in training modules for the workforce and visualising the asset under consideration for planning and decision making.
Ravindra Puranik, Oil and Gas Analyst at GlobalData, said, "VR enhances operational safety through immersive training programmes. It can help develop safety procedures at production facilities to address smaller accidents as well as for emergency response."
Companies such as Shell, bp, Chevron, and ExxonMobil, are using VR as a cost-effective option to train their employees in critical oil and gas operations. This provides a highly safe and cost-efficient approach to introducing personnel to a new facility. These sessions usually entail virtual walk-throughs, away from heavy industrial equipment.
Hazardous environments
Puranik said, “Industry technicians work in hazardous environments, such as offshore rigs or at a densely packed equipment maze in a refinery. VR can be used to relay important information and instructions to the technician onsite, without the need to fly out experts to that location or carrying detailed instruction manuals for referencing.”
VR plays a key role in the digital twin set up, helping companies recreate scenarios through detailed simulations. During planning and development, the collaborating teams can share information using VR to simulate various scenarios. It is useful in optimising equipment performance and maximising the asset life. Digital twins help to design workflows and identify bottlenecks to optimise a plant’s performance. Twins also help to create a 3D visualisation of the seismic data using VR simulations.
Puranik concluded, “Various aspects of a production platform can be modelled through VR simulations to enhance the understanding of personnel for on-field tasks. They can simulate the processes using VR before implementing on the operational floor. It thus reduces the scope for human errors during critical operations. Besides, designers and engineers can better visualise the layout under development using VR technology. This can potentially help to improve designs, and carefully plan its execution to optimise the project costs.”
In a case study cited by immersive technology provider immerse.io, Shell wanted to simulate an accidental overspill on a storage tanker, requiring the trainee to follow the appropriate procedures to extinguish the fire. immerse.io designed a VR programme, challenging trainees to solve the problem using their existing knowledge and skills with no instructions or advance warnings, as in a real-world scenario. Decoy objects test decision-making whilst realistic sounds and hi-res visuals recreate the intensity of a real-life situation. Assessors can control the whole experience and trigger actions such as a fire at any time, resulting in a dynamic and variable simulation.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Europe
- Region: Europe
- Year: 2025
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Great Britain’s national workplace safety regulator, marks 50 years of safeguarding lives this January.
Established under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, HSE began operations on 1 January 1975. Over the decades, it has significantly reduced workplace fatalities, with annual deaths dropping from 651 in 1974 to 138 in 2023/24.
HSE chief executive Sarah Albon emphasised that workplaces have evolved dramatically.
“Over the past half century, the Health and Safety Executive has led the way in establishing Great Britain as a safe place to work. As we look ahead to the next 50 years, we recognise there is still much for HSE to take on," Albon said.
“We’re proud of our successes over the last five decades, but the fact remains that any work-related death is a tragedy, and there are still far too many workers suffering ill-health brought about by work activity.
“In 2022, we launched our 10-year strategy, Protecting People and Places, to build on HSE’s strong foundations and address our current and future challenges.
“So today, HSE’s role goes beyond worker protection to include public safety assurance on a range of issues. Recent years have added new responsibilities, such as becoming the appointed Building Safety Regulator and playing an extended role in chemical regulation, post Brexit,” Albon concluded.
- Details
- Louise Waters
- Middle East
- Region: Middle East
- Year: 2025
In its latest Sustainability Report, Aramco highlights its focus on safety as a core value throughout its global operations, where its “total workforce concept” is built on a robust safety culture and safe environment across its employees, contractors, and suppliers
This is complemented by innovative digital solutions that drive safety performance, elevate emergency readiness, and enhance safety governance.
A key factor in maintaining high safety standards is Aramco's monthly Executive Management Safety Review program, which it has run for over 40 years. This involves a management team visiting one of the company’s major operational areas to review HSE performance and engage directly with employees and contractors to discuss safety matters.
Aramco reports that its Total Recordable Case (TRC) rate has decreased by 22% since 2021, which it attributes to its investment in training initiatives and implementing a comprehensive lessons learned programme to prevent incidents re-occuring. All incidents are evaluated to identify root causes, following which corrective actions are introduced and lessons learned shared with all relevant departments and stakeholders.
The NOC has expanded its corporate safety assessment programmes, which assess all Aramco organisations against its robust Safety Management System (SMS) guidelines, to include in-kingdom and international affiliates, with more than 50 SMS assessments performed in 2023. supporting the reinforcement of their safety management system and providing the necessary resources,training, and guidance to improve and continually enhance their safety performance.
Ensuring contractor safety
One of the enduring challenges for major companies in Saudi Arabia is ensuring high and consistent standards across multicultural contractor workforces, where there may be variations in safety culture and behaviour as well as disparities in levels of competence. Ensuring contractor safety is a strong focus for Aramco, which partners with its contractors to build a strong safety culture across the value chain, with bespoke tools used to monitor contractor safety performance and compliance to corporate safety requirements. Along with its contractor safety index and turnaround safety index Aramco has introduced the Rig Safety Index, which monitors onshore and offshore drilling rig contractor safety performance. Another recent initiative has been the introduction of the ‘Line of Fire’ campaign to address risks associated with danger zones at construction sites. This aimed to raise the safety awareness of the contractor site workforce, improving their capabilities to identify work site hazards and enhancing safe behaviour.
In terms of emergency preparedness, Aramco’s Corporate Emergency Management Taskforce ensures resilience and readiness pre-planning, as well as risk based, and site-specific emergency response plans. A quarterly forum for emergency preparedness coordinators is held to continually improve emergency readiness, and the company has recently enhanced its digital safety system – SafeLife – to enable a company-wide tracking of emergency exercise schedules, as well as drill critique items until closure in a unified system.
The energy giant has also expanded safety training programmes, working closely with five National Training Centers (NTCs) to evaluate and enhance existing Safety Diploma Programs and to establish new ones.
With its focus on safety as a core value and the introduction of new methodologies, initiatives and technologies, Aramco ensures that it drives a culture of continuous improvement in health and safety across its global operations.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Europe
- Region: Europe
- Year: 2025
Malta recorded the highest workplace fatality rate in the EU for 2022, with over five deaths per 100,000 workers, according to new data released by Eurostat.
Fifteen workplace deaths were reported, a rate 50% higher than France, the second-highest, and more than three times the EU average.
National Statistics Office data reveals that over half of these fatalities in 2022 and 2023 occurred in the construction sector, marking 2022 as the deadliest year for workplace accidents in 18 years.
Malta’s workplace fatality rate in 2022 was 75% higher than France’s and over three times the EU average, Eurostat data reveals.
In contrast, the Netherlands emerged as the safest EU country for workers, followed by Greece, Germany, and Sweden.
Construction was responsible for nearly a quarter of workplace fatalities across the EU, with transportation, storage, and manufacturing industries also recording significant numbers. Manufacturing had the highest proportion of non-fatal workplace accidents.
Overall, the EU saw nearly 3,300 workplace deaths in 2022, a slight decline from the previous year.
Most non-fatal incidents resulted in superficial injuries, dislocations, sprains, and strains.