Employers have a legal duty to safeguard employees from stress at work. (Image source: Canva)

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and NEBOSH launched a new one-day qualification aimed at managing and controlling stress in the workplace.

Figures from the HSE indicate that stress, depression, or anxiety were the primary causes of work-related ill health in 2021/22, accounting for 17 million lost working days. Work-related stress can be triggered by six main factors: demands, control, support, relationships, role, and change.

Employers have a legal duty to safeguard employees from stress at work by conducting risk assessments and implementing necessary measures. The new NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Managing Stress at Work equips managers with the knowledge to identify and mitigate workplace stressors proactively.

HSE’s Working Minds Campaign

Throughout April, the HSE has been advocating for employers to adopt five straightforward steps to prevent and reduce workplace stress. These steps, encapsulated in the 5 Rs, are: reaching out and having conversations with employees to discuss their stressors and concerns, recognising the signs and causes of stress in the workplace, responding to any risks identified by taking action to address and mitigate them, reflecting on the effectiveness of the measures implemented, and making stress management a routine part of regular workplace practices.

The course is based on the HSE's current methodology for managing and controlling work-related stress. It provides an overview of the fundamental principles of work-related stress and its link to mental health issues. The course targets individuals responsible for employee wellbeing or managing workplace stress, including health and safety professionals, HR professionals, occupational health professionals, line managers, and supervisors.

By offering this qualification, HSE and NEBOSH aim to empower organisations to foster healthier work environments and reduce the prevalence of stress-related illnesses, ensuring better mental health and productivity for employees.

The programme targets all workers in the construction sector or those whose jobs require scaffold installation and usage. (Image source: SPSA)

The Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority (SPSA), in partnership with the Municipality of Al Dhaid, has launched an awareness campaign titled "Work Safety at Heights."

The campaign aims to improve safety practices for working at heights through specialised practical training programmes. These programmes include workshops led by expert specialists, focusing on safe practices for working on scaffolding, proper scaffold setup, and the correct use of safety equipment.

This initiative is part of the Prevention and Safety Authority's efforts to ensure worker safety in the Emirate of Sharjah. It targets all workers in the construction sector or those whose jobs require scaffold installation and usage. The campaign encourages all companies in the central region to provide necessary training to their employees and to register in the Sharjah Occupational Safety and Health System via the Authority's website, which is dedicated to ensuring minimum safety requirements at work sites.

His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority, emphasised the importance of such awareness campaigns and their vital role in achieving the Authority's vision of a safe, hazard-free community. He added that the campaign aims to meet the Emirate's future aspirations by raising awareness of fundamental procedures that ensure human protection, thereby enhancing worker safety, reducing workplace accidents and injuries, and preserving property.

This campaign addresses the growing need for a safe work environment and educates workers on the importance of following preventive measures to maintain their safety. The campaign will run for several weeks and will include various awareness activities such as distributing informative brochures, holding educational seminars, and organising field campaigns for inspection and awareness at different work sites. The Authority urges employers at construction sites to review the Scaffolding Guide OSHJ-GL-03 and the Mobile Scaffolding Guide OSHJ-GL-04 to understand the necessary safety requirements for working on scaffolding, ensuring the security and safety of workers.

The awards will take place in Australia this year. (Image source: Canva)

The International SOS Foundation has announced the 2024 Duty of Care Awards & Summit, scheduled for 31 October 2024 in Sydney, Australia.

The event will bring together leading experts to discuss, debate, and share best practices while recognising organisations and individuals worldwide for their commitment to protecting the health, safety, security, and wellbeing of their global workforce. As organisations continue to navigate a changing risk environment, the theme of this year’s Awards is "Leading Change for a Re-Imagined Future."

This year’s Duty of Care Summit will feature industry experts discussing topics such as AI, climate resilience, geopolitical instability, workplace violence, diversity and inclusion, mental health and wellbeing, and travel and mobility trends.

Recognising that employees are the cornerstone of any successful business, organisations globally are prioritising their well-being and safety. The Middle East, emerging as a global business hub, is placing greater emphasis on fulfilling Duty of Care responsibilities. Businesses in the UAE and the broader Middle East are increasingly implementing measures to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of their workforce, which is essential for operational success and resilience.

Since 2016, the Awards have honoured outstanding organisations and individuals, including large technology companies, non-profits, airlines, financial services, and manufacturing firms.

Kai Boschmann, executive director of the International SOS Foundation said, “As a continuously rising risk environment puts pressure on organisations and executives to uphold their Duty of Care responsibilities, the purpose of the Summit & Awards could not be more pertinent. This year’s Duty of Care events look to reimagine the future of organisational resilience to bring positive change. We are pleased to have, again this year, received a high calibre of award entries spanning the globe. This will be our first ever International SOS Foundation Duty of Care Awards & Summit in Australia, a region with strong emphasis on health, safety, and security.”

16 memorandums of understanding and agreements were signed to promote cooperation in occupational safety and health. (Image source: Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development)

The sixth edition of the Saudi International Conference for Occupational Safety and Health, titled "Exploring the Horizon", concluded in Riyadh from 5-7 May.

Organised by the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health and under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Eng. Ahmed Sulaiman Al Rajhi, the event featured participation from various officials, specialists, and local and international experts.

The conference facilitated the exchange of expertise and best practices in the occupational safety and health sector. It was followed by over 100,000 people via live broadcast and attended by more than 8,000 visitors. The event included discussions on more than 15 specialised topics in dialogue sessions with over 169 speakers and offered 49 training workshops with accredited certificates.

Main topics

Key highlights included discussions on the Kingdom's efforts and experiences in occupational safety and health, aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives. The accompanying exhibition showcased the history and development of occupational safety and health, highlighting the Council's roles in enhancing the attractiveness, safety, and sustainability of the Saudi labour market.

During the opening ceremony, the official website of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health was inaugurated, offering services such as training programmes for accident investigators, report documentation, and awareness training.

The conference was supported by key partners and sponsors, including the General Organisation for Social Insurance (GOSI), Saudi Aramco, King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), and Saudi Aramco Nabors Drilling (SANAD). The exhibition featured 15 partners and sponsors, and 25 exhibitors from local and international entities, showcasing innovative models, advanced technologies, and modern practices for enhancing workplace safety and sustainability.

Additionally, 16 memorandums of understanding and agreements were signed to promote cooperation in occupational safety and health. Representatives from the International Labour Organization, the Executive Office of the Council of Ministers of Labour in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and various ministries from Gulf countries and other regions participated in bilateral meetings aimed at improving occupational safety and health standards.

Recommendations

The conference concluded with recommendations to share the Kingdom's experience in developing the occupational safety and health system internationally, especially in digital transformation, and to cooperate with international organisations to exchange knowledge and develop incentives for compliance with safety requirements. Further recommendations included establishing a Gulf committee or body for occupational safety and health and developing legislation to ensure small and medium enterprises comply with occupational safety and health standards.

The workshop focused on reinforcing the culture among construction entities and contractors with approved health and safety management systems. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

In order to preserve the health and safety of workers, provide active environments, and protect the health and safety of individuals in these locations, Abu Dhabi City Municipality (ADM) spoke to workers in the construction sector to the importance of providing the best occupational health and safety levels and standards