Regional Coverage
Regional Coverage
- Details
- Louise Waters
- Middle East
- Topic: HSE
- Region: Middle East
- Date: 20 October 2025
- Year: 2025
The UAE’s National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) has launched the “Emergency and Crisis Atlas” at GITEX GLOBAL 2025, an integrated digital platform designed to enhance the speed and effectiveness of national response efforts
The initiative is part of NCEMA’s broader efforts to advance sustainable digital transformation in emergency and crisis management, through the adoption of advanced, data-driven geospatial solutions that enhance national resilience and build a more prepared and sustainable society.
The Emergency and Crisis Atlas leverages the latest artificial intelligence technologies, developed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies. It aims to strengthen national capabilities in risk forecasting, enhance preparedness and readiness, and improve the efficiency of response operations across various emergency scenarios. The integrated geospatial platform features over 40 specialised applications that cover different aspects of national risks. It provides advanced analytical tools that support strategic decision-making across all stages of crisis management. The system also offers interactive and analytical maps that visually present comprehensive data on risks, infrastructure, and vital resources across the country, empowering decision-makers to take accurate, data-driven actions.
The platform enables NCEMA personnel and strategic partners to perform advanced predictive analytics, build assumptions and multiple scenarios, forecast risks, and assess their impacts using precise analytical tools. It also assists relevant entities in identifying optimal readiness levels for each scenario and provides practical solutions to mitigate risk consequences
His Excellency Ali Rashid Al Neyadi, director general of the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, stated, “The Emergency and Crisis Atlas is one of the Authority’s leading technological projects, embodying our direction toward harnessing advanced technology to enhance the national readiness and response system. The platform goes beyond displaying spatial data, it is a sophisticated analytical tool that builds proactive scenarios, tests the readiness of national plans, and supports decision-making based on accurate data and AI technologies."
Al Neyadi added that the Authority continues its efforts to develop the next generation of the Emergency and Crisis Atlas to be more interactive and integrated with national digital systems, thereby supporting intelligent monitoring, analysis, and response capabilities. He also noted that NCEMA is currently working on developing a geospatial simulation application, set to be launched soon, focusing on simulating flood risks in the most vulnerable areas. The goal is to study their impacts and build proactive models that help mitigate their effects and boost early preparedness.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Europe
- Date: 16 October, 2025
- Year: 2025
A recent report from Britain’s Health and Safety Executive examines the growing role of artificial intelligence in regulated industries and its potential implications for workers.
Drawing on around 250 case studies of AI development and deployment, the report highlights four main areas where AI is being applied: maintenance systems, health and safety management, control of equipment and process plant, and occupational monitoring.
Examples in the report show AI being used for advanced inspections and failure monitoring, risk assessment and incident analysis, the operation of autonomous vehicles and robotic systems, and monitoring of workplaces and employees.
It also outlines a range of potential health and safety risks associated with AI, identified by survey respondents. These include overreliance on AI, which could reduce employee attention and undermine safety culture; deskilling of staff as AI takes over tasks; inaccurate safety assessments; systems failing to alert operators or producing false alarms; data privacy and security breaches; flawed or biased data affecting safety decisions; and complex AI-driven decisions that are difficult to interpret, making failures harder to prevent.
The report also recommends control measures and best practices to ensure AI systems are designed, deployed, and managed safely and securely. It includes guidance on processes, standards, and practices, as well as a sample three-year AI implementation plan and an overview of challenges organisations may face when integrating AI into safety-critical operations.
“AI is rapidly developing in capability and is a transformative technology,” HSE said when it announced the report’s release. “It can create and exacerbate health and safety risk but also has the potential to bring real benefits for health and safety.”
- Details
- Louise Waters
- Middle East
- Topic: HSE
- Region: Middle East
- Date: 14 October 2025
- Year: 2025
EMSTEEL has won the Safety Culture and Leadership Award 2025 by the World Steel Association (worldsteel) in recognition of its Group-wide best-in-class health and safety protocols
EMSTEEL was recognised for its “AMAN 2.0 – Achieving Safety Excellence” project, which introduced a comprehensive framework integrating advanced leadership, operational excellence, and digital safety tools to drive continuous improvement.
Implemented from 2023 to 2024, AMAN 2.0 has enabled EMSTEEL to achieve tangible improvements in safety governance, employee awareness and competence, safety risk management, contractor safety, asset integrity, and process safety. The project achieved a Zero Lost-Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR), a 52% reduction in Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIFR), and marked progress across leading indicators — including a 35% increase in near-miss reporting, a 31% rise in hazard observations (from 17,500 in 2022 to 23,000 in 2024), a 100% increase in safety leadership training participation, and a 100% compliance rate in third-party safety audits and inspections.
Engineer Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group Chief Executive Officer of EMSTEEL, said, “We are honoured to win this outstanding award given by the world’s leading global steel association for the second time. At the heart of our business priorities are the health and safety and well-being of our people. AMAN 2.0 epitomises EMSTEEL’s commitment to workplace safety and continuous performance improvement, setting a new benchmark for the company’s safety excellence journey. Employee engagement, cross-functional collaboration, and senior management sponsorship remain key to its ongoing success. ”
This achievement builds on EMSTEEL's history of safety excellence, which includes receiving the Safety and Health Excellence Recognition award from the World Steel Association in 2021 for outstanding performance in Crane Operations and Rigging Safety.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Middle East
- Date: 13 October, 2025
- Year: 2025
The International Code Council (ICC) successfully took part in Urban October 2025, held alongside the Home and Building Expo at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre from 6-8 October 2025.
During the event, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MoHUP) launched the National Building Requirements and Standards Guide, a unified framework consolidating safety, quality, and sustainability standards across Oman’s governorates.
Organised by MoHUP, Urban October brings together local, regional, and international experts to promote sustainable urban development and address the challenges and opportunities of urbanisation in the Sultanate.
At the event, ICC engaged with government representatives, industry leaders, and technical experts to advance discussions on implementing building codes, regulations, and sustainable construction practices that contribute to safer, more resilient communities.
The Council’s participation underscores its ongoing collaboration with Oman’s designated authorities to strengthen building safety and construction standards. Throughout 2024 and 2025, ICC conducted a series of workshops and training sessions in Muscat, supporting the Sultanate’s efforts to enhance safety, innovation, and sustainability within the construction sector.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Middle East
- Date: 10 October, 2025
- Year: 2025
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, has issued a Federal Decree Law establishing the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defence, alongside a Federal Decree appointing His Excellency Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, as its Chairman.
The newly formed Authority, which enjoys legal personality, financial and administrative independence, and the capacity to act in accordance with UAE law, will report directly to the Cabinet. It replaces the Civil Defence Authority and the National Guard Command in matters related to the National Ambulance Company (NA).
The Decree Law clearly defines the Authority’s responsibilities, making it the central body for all ambulance and civil defence affairs. Its remit includes proposing and developing policies, strategies, and legislation related to ambulance and civil defence, in coordination with local authorities and relevant entities, and submitting these proposals to the Cabinet for approval.
The Authority is also tasked with assessing potential incidents, risks, and disasters, and preparing management plans in coordination with the National Emergency, Crisis, and Disasters Management Authority. Risk‑prevention programmes, necessary infrastructure controls, and operational plans for mitigating hazards will be developed in collaboration with competent authorities.
Important tasks
A key function of the Authority is to safeguard buildings and facilities through fire protection systems and security controls. These regulations, developed in coordination with local authorities, relevant entities, the Central Bank of the UAE, and other bodies, will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval.
Among the Authority’s core competences is the establishment of a national alert system to inform the population of potential hazards. It will also develop and supervise evacuation plans, coordinate shelter management, and work with internal security and safety systems (including oil companies, airports, and other critical infrastructure) to organise joint emergency response plans and support mechanisms.
The Authority will further oversee training and awareness programmes, including mock drills and joint exercises, for both qualified personnel and volunteers. It is charged with monitoring radiological, chemical, and biological threats in both peacetime and wartime, providing consultancy services in ambulance and civil defence, and maintaining a comprehensive database of relevant information in coordination with other authorities.
The Decree Law clarifies that while the Federal Authority assumes these responsibilities, it does not limit the powers of local authorities to implement ambulance and civil defence measures under existing legislation.
By centralising ambulance and civil defence functions under a single federal body, the UAE aims to strengthen its national preparedness for emergencies and disasters, enhance coordination across authorities, and ensure the safety of residents and critical infrastructure nationwide.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Middle East
- Date: 7 October, 2025
- Year: 2025
Jonathan Chipps, managing director at Jincom Arabia, delivered a compelling presentation at the HSE KSA Forum in Riyadh, focusing on transforming health and safety training through visualisation and digital engagement.
His core message centred on making technical safety content more accessible, engaging, and understandable for diverse workforces.
Chipps highlighted a critical challenge in safety training: technical content developed by subject matter experts is often complex and difficult to comprehend, especially for workers from different linguistic and educational backgrounds. He emphasised that migrant workers are 66% more likely to make mistakes due to instruction misunderstandings and four times more likely to experience fatal accidents.
The solution, according to Chipps, lies in visualising and simplifying technical content. He explained that human brains are wired to process visual information rapidly, since we remember 65% of visual content compared to only 10-20% of text or verbal information. By transforming dense technical manuals into graphic-rich, simplified formats, organisations can dramatically improve safety comprehension and engagement.
Chipps showcased various visualisation techniques, including:
- Visual standards
- Short animated videos
- Interactive e-learning modules
- Toolbox talk guides
- Virtual reality training content
- Multilingual safety materials
"It's about making sure that you're taking technical information and making it relevant, engaging, and easily understood," Chipps said.
Delivering safety information
He also stressed the importance of digital content delivery, enabling organisations to track training engagement, ensure consistent messaging across multiple contractors and languages, and integrate safety content with existing management platforms.
Practical examples from projects with Neom and Red Sea Global demonstrated how Jincom develops comprehensive safety content libraries translated into multiple languages, using minimal text and powerful visuals to communicate critical safety information.
Chipps highlighted his philosophy: "Pictures speak the most universally understood language," echoing Walt Disney's perspective on visual communication.
Chipps concluded by emphasising that effective safety training is not complicated, as it requires simplifying technical content, visualising key messages, translating materials, and digitising delivery mechanisms to ensure maximum comprehension and engagement across diverse workforce populations.
His presentation offered a innovative approach to reimagining safety training, moving beyond traditional text-heavy methods to create more intuitive, memorable, and impactful learning experiences.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- Middle East
- Date: 10 October, 2025
- Year: 2025
Salma Alqahtani, OHS training quality assurance manager at Diriyah, delivered a compelling presentation on linguistic diversity and its critical impact on safety in construction sites at HSE KSA 2025 held in Riyadh from 9-10 September.
Her talk highlighted the complex challenges arising from multilingual and multicultural workforces in the construction industry, particularly in rapidly expanding markets like Saudi Arabia.
The core of her presentation focused on how language barriers can significantly compromise workplace safety. She emphasised that construction is an inherently risky and dynamic industry, where workers from diverse linguistic backgrounds often collaborate in high-stakes environments.
Her research revealed that linguistic barriers were the second most significant cause of poor communication in workplace settings.
Mitigating risks
Alqahtani identified several key language-related challenges: the absence of a lingua franca, worker illiteracy, and poor text readability. She noted that approximately 30 million adults with lower literacy skills work in high-risk jobs, creating substantial safety risks.
Her proposed solutions were innovative and practical. She recommended using:
- Pictograms and visual aids
- Adult learning theory in safety training
- Digital learning technologies
- Augmented reality and interactive training modules
Alqahtani encapsulated her core message, saying, "what is not looked for is not found. Language problem-related accidents wouldn't be acknowledged, and neither associated risks will be managed."
She also shighlighted her approach to effective training, adding, "investment in learners is always repaid in the long term, especially if you're thinking of reducing the cost of accidents and injuries that would come later if safety training wasn't as effective as intended."
Alqahtani's background in linguistics and translation studies uniquely positioned her to address these challenges. She advocated for tailored training approaches that consider workers' specific cultural and linguistic contexts, emphasising the importance of understanding why safety matters to adult learners.
Her recommendations included enforcing a single workplace language, developing training materials in workers' native languages, and creating interactive, engaging safety programs that leverage visual learning techniques.
The presentation was a crucial exploration of how linguistic diversity can be transformed from a potential safety liability into an opportunity for more comprehensive, inclusive workplace safety strategies.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- North America
- Date: 8 October, 2025
- Year: 2025
Ergodyne has unveiled its latest winter work gear collection, designed to help workers stay safe and comfortable in extreme cold and harsh weather conditions.
The launch comes as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts a volatile 2025-26 winter, with colder-than-normal temperatures expected across the northern Rockies and Plains, and wetter-than-average conditions across northern U.S. regions. The emerging La Niña pattern is anticipated to bring snow, frozen precipitation, and bursts of extreme cold, making proper winter gear essential for outdoor workers.
At the heart of the collection is the 6981 Winter Warming Kit, which equips workers with essential items for the season’s harshest conditions.
Highlights include the 6801 Winter Skull Cap with Rechargeable LED Light, a thermal beanie that keeps workers warm while providing built-in lighting for dark winter workdays; the 6808ZI Winter Bump Cap Beanie, a dual-function thermal beanie with a removable bump cap insert that offers both warmth and protection against minor impacts; and the 6831 Reflective Balaclava, a versatile 3-in-1 face, head, and neck covering with reflective detailing to enhance visibility in low-light or whiteout conditions.
Together, these products demonstrate Ergodyne’s commitment to equipping workers with reliable, durable gear that allows them to prepare for and respond effectively to winter hazards, ensuring both safety and productivity in challenging environments.
“We know that preparation is everything during the winter,” said Ergodyne product manager Claudia Weber. “These additions are all about helping crews stay safe, visible and warm no matter what the forecast delivers.”
“That’s never been lost on us,” said Ergodyne president Greg Schrab. “A great example are the gloves in our Winter Warming Kit (ProFlex 7401 Winter Work Gloves). Of course they’re warm but read the reviews and they’re all talking about how flexible and grippy they are. That’s not an accident. Anybody who’s ever spent a minute working outdoors in the cold knows how hard it can be to get a handle on even the most basic tasks, and that was the puzzle the team set out to solve when we were designing them. Warm isn’t enough for any of our winter gear.”
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- North America
- Date: 6 October, 2025
- Year: 2025
The US Senate has confirmed David Keeling as the new head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), according to multiple news sources.
On 3 October, senators passed S. Res 412 with a 51-46 vote. The resolution included over 100 nominations, among them Wayne Palmer as head of the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
Keeling, previously a safety executive at UPS and Amazon, had been awaiting Senate approval since the Health, Education, Labour and Pensions Committee endorsed his nomination in a 12-11 party-line vote on 26 June.
During his June confirmation hearing before the Senate HELP Committee, Keeling outlined three primary objectives for OSHA.
Modernisation of regulatory oversight and rulemaking
Keeling emphasised leveraging technology and predictive analytics to shift from “mere regulatory compliance and post-injury response to injury prevention and informed design.”
He advocated adopting global industry consensus standards, which he described as undergoing “more rigorous review, regular updating, and continuous improvement” than many of OSHA’s current rules. Neither his testimony nor written statements specified which standards would be prioritised.
Enhancing OSHA’s collaboration efforts
Keeling highlighted the importance of cooperation with professional organisations, businesses, and trade unions. “We all share the same goal,” he noted, “though we may differ on the best path to achieve it. We must break down existing silos and self-imposed barriers to drive meaningful progress.”
Updating voluntary protection programmes
Keeling proposed modernising OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programmes (VPP). “The current VPP framework is a foundation, but only a starting point. Significant work is needed to deliver successful outcomes,” he said.
Keeling’s confirmation marks a significant step for OSHA as it seeks to modernise and strengthen workplace safety initiatives.
- Details
- Sania Aziz
- North America
- Date: 6 October, 2025
- Year: 2025
As climate change intensifies summer swelters, a new study reveals a stark reality for American workers: extreme heat is not just uncomfortable, it is a hidden catalyst for on-the-job accidents.
Published this year in Environmental Health, researchers estimate that high temperatures contributed to over 1% of all workplace injuries reported in 2023, underscoring the urgent need for nationwide protections.
The study, led by epidemiologist Barrak Alahmad of the University of Kansas Medical Center and colleagues, scrutinised more than 500,000 injury reports submitted to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) via its Injury Tracking Application.
Focusing on large employers (100+ employees) in high-risk sectors like construction, manufacturing, and agriculture, the team geocoded each incident to match it with precise weather data from the injury date
Using a sophisticated case-crossover analysis, scientists compared heat index on injury days against cooler control days for the same workers.
The verdict? Heat doesn't just raise tempers; it elevates risks non-linearly. Odds of injury ticked up modestly around 85°F but spiked dramatically above 90°F. At 100°F, workers faced 10% higher odds (odds ratio [OR] 1.10, 95% CI: 1.07-1.13) compared to 80°F baseline.
By 110°F or hotter, that risk ballooned 20% overall (OR 1.20, 95% CI: 1.13-1.26). These patterns are held across industries, even indoors where air conditioning falters or does not exist.
"Exposure to heat leads to physiological and cognitive impairments that increase the risk of workplace injuries," the authors note in their abstract, pointing to heat's toll on alertness, reaction times, and decision-making.
The findings hit hardest in vulnerable spots. In states lacking OSHA-approved heat standards like Texas and Florida, the injury odds at 110°F+ jumped 22% (OR 1.22).
In contrast, states with rules, such as California's pioneering heat illness prevention mandate, saw a milder 9% uptick (OR 1.09), though statistical overlap tempers firm claims of causality.
Construction workers bore the brunt, with heat-attributable injuries clustering in sun-baked Southern states during peak summer months.
Extrapolating nationally, the study pins 1.18% (95% CI: 0.92%-1.45%) of 2023's reported injuries (roughly 5,800 cases) on heat.
That is a conservative tally, as it excludes smaller firms and unreported incidents.
Economic cost
Billions in lost productivity, medical bills, and workers' comp claims, experts say.
This comes amid escalating climate threats. The US endured its hottest summer on record in 2023, with heat waves claiming lives and livelihoods.
Yet federal heat safeguards lag; OSHA's proposed rule, announced in July 2024, remains mired in rulemaking.
Alahmad's team calls for swift action: mandatory water breaks, shaded rest areas, and acclimatisation training.
"These estimates contribute to the calculation of the benefits of standards, policies, and programs that reduce workplace exposure," they write, urging policymakers to quantify heat's human cost.
Labour advocates applaud the research. "It's a wake-up call," said Sara Gonzales of the AFL-CIO. "Workers aren't expendable in the heat."
- Details
- Matthew Hayhoe
- Middle East
- Topic: HSE
- Region: Middle East
- Date: October 3rd, 2025
- Year: 2025
DEWA's Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) took place from September 30th to October 2nd, 2025, in Dubai.
The show hopes to keep pace with rapidly shifting global trends—especially in the tech and environment spaces—by collating some of the world's most forward-thinking innovations and organisations at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
2025's edition was especially forward-thinking: AI-powered innovations in clean energy, green mobility and digital transformation earned a notable presence on the show floor.
Interactive initiatives hoped to embed the exhibition's forward-thinking vision into co-operative efforts and partnerships in green finance and health and safety.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, DEWA CEO & MD and founder/chairman of WETEX, celebrated 2025's iteration of WETEX. "The development of WETEX reflects the unprecedented development witness by the UAE... this exhibition consolidates the UAE’s position as a reliable partner in efforts to shape a more sustainable and resilient future for all, by pushing our thriving economy towards new horizons, empowering national and local companies, and strengthening our nation’s economic, trade and investment partnerships with countries around the world."
- Details
- Matthew Hayhoe
- Europe
- Topic: HSE
- Region: Europe
- Date: September 2, 2025
- Year: 2025
EU-OSHA's recent Pulse 2025 worker survey revealed that 33% of workers across the EU are exposed to climate change-related risks in the workplace
20% of the survey's respondents reported extreme heat exposure in the workplace, with 19% exposed to poor air quality.
35% of workers in agriculture, horticulture, forestry or fishing reported heat-related risk exposure. That figure sits at around 25% for construction and energy workers.
Of those exposed to heat risks in the workplace, one in 10 has been affected by heat-related symptoms like cramps or heatstroke. The same percentage works in intense sunlight.
EU-OSHA's executive director, William Cockburn, reacted to the survey's findings. "These findings show that workers across Europe face complex and evolving challenges. Nearly three in ten struggling with stress, depression or anxiety linked to their jobs. About a third worried that climate change could put their safety and health at risk.
"From adapting workplaces to the physical effects of climate change, to reducing the stigma around mental health and ensuring digital tools are introduced ethically ─ protecting the safety, health and dignity of Europe’s workforce must remain a top priority. This is especially important as we navigate the twin transitions of climate and digital change."
As Cockburn highlighted, it is not just climate-related risks and hazards facing workers. 44% of Pulse 2025 respondents reported severe time pressure or work overload, a figure that rises to half (50%) for health and social care workers.
Perhaps even more detrimentally to the talent pool and wider work force: 49% believe that disclosing details around their potential mental health risks and conditions could impact their careers negatively.
2025's Pulse survey was conducted in April 2025 among a pool of over 28,000 workers from across the European Union, including, for the first time in the survey's history, Switzerland.