The benefits of a workplace safety and health reporting system in Abu Dhabi were presented during a networking conference organised by the UAE branch of Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) in Dubai last week
The AL ADAA (Arabic for ‘performance’) system allows all organisations and government departments in the emirate to produce periodical and annual reports on their safety and health performance.
AL ADAA was introduced by the Abu Dhabi Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHAD) as part of its efforts to reduce incidents, injuries and illnesses in workplaces. It covers sectors such as food, construction and building, education, health, energy, tourism and culture, transport and waste, as well as commercial.
The aim of the electronic system is to establish a unified occupational safety and health database in Abu Dhabi. OSHAD also believed the system would ensure compliance with its requirements.
Dr Dhabia Bakhit’s presentation was one of seven addresses during the conference, which was held at The Address Dubai Marina on 10 December around the theme of leadership. Speaking after the conference, Ahmed El Hadidi, chair of IOSH UAE Branch, said, “Dr Bakhit gave an excellent presentation on the AL ADAA system. The system will help organisations in the emirate ensure that they are complying with their safety and health requirements.
“Forward-thinking organisations are finding it a most useful tool in ensuring that their staff are well looked after. Such organisations that promote good safety and health are finding they experience improved al-round performance.”
Other presentations during the event included one from IOSH’s executive director of commercial, Richard Orton, on the organisation’s Leading safely course, a look into the role of teamwork in promoting health and safety, and an examination of the health and safety executive’s international role.
Meanwhile, the UAE branch’s CPD and IPD co-ordinator James Quinn ran a workshop on the attributes required for health and safety leaders.
El Hadidi added that it is not just safety and health practitioners who are responsible for keeping workers out of harm’s way. “It is vital that leaders buy into safety and health management processes, which was the theme of the conference.
“But people at all levels of an organisation have a role to play. As with an orchestra, you cannot rely on just one instrument to create a beautiful symphony. It is about teamwork,” the IOSH chair added.
