Updated workplace standards herald a new era of safety, sustainability, and proactive risk management across industries in the UAE
Experts from the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and ITALCO Aluminium highlight how safety strategies go hand in hand with daily work, adding value to businesses and saving human lives
The Intersec 2024 Safety & Health Conference will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 16 – 18 January
Dubai, UAE: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is at the forefront of enhancing occupational and workplace health and safety standards, marking a significant step forward in the region’s commitment to fostering safer workplaces and sustainable industries.
Speaking ahead of the Intersec 2024 Safety & Health Conference, taking place from 16 – 18 January at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), Dr Waddah S. Ghanem Al Hashmi, Hon Chairman of the Energy Institute Middle East and Chairman, Federal Occupational Health and Safety Committee and HoD to the TC283 ISO 45001, 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).
Notably, sectors like energy, manufacturing, and aviation showcase advanced systems, while others, like construction, are steadily improving.
In December 2022, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology released the voluntary UAE.S 5052:2022 standard, aligning with ISO 45001:2019 and focusing on governance and leadership’s top management requirements. This standard 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 believe this standard will eventually be adopted internationally, and I see positive thinking developing in the region.”
Meanwhile, also speaking ahead of Intersec 2024, Dr Hani Hossni, CEO, ITALCO Aluminium, Umm Al Quain, emphasised the UAE’s proactive stance toward continual improvement in workplace safety, aiming to set new benchmarks globally and ensure the well-being of its diverse workforce.
Specific UAE laws and regulations dedicated to workplace safety, such as NCEMA 6000-2016, Federal Decree for Employment Relationship Law 33-2021, and Ministerial Decree 32-1982, illustrate an unwavering commitment to safeguarding employee welfare.
Dr Hossni highlighted: “Businesses in the UAE prioritise adherence to safety regulations, integrating safety into corporate strategies, policies, and daily operations, demonstrating a proactive approach to ensuring a safe work environment.
“In addition to self-regulation, culture building, and reinforcement approaches, technological advancements, including AI-enabled safety inductions, drone usage, GIS/GPS systems, and engineering controls, play a pivotal role in preventing accidents and ensuring workplace safety.”
Through an immersive two-day programme, the Safety & Health Conference will explore the latest trends, innovative solutions, and best practices that empower organisations to champion workplace safety and well-being. Other notable conference speakers include Dr Hadi Al Badi, HSE Director, Masdar; Salman Dawood, VP HSE and Sustainability, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA); and Dr Naseem Mohammed Rafee, Director of Health & Safety Department, Dubai Municipality.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the 25th edition of Intersec, the world’s leading trade fair for safety, security, and fire protection, will welcome 1,000 exhibitors from 60 nations. The event will span 14 halls, showcasing a diverse range of innovative products, services and technologies in front of a global audience of 45,000.
About Intersec
Intersec is the world-leading emergency services, security, and safety event that will take place from 16-18 January 2024 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and will be staged under the theme of ‘Innovating Security Tech for a Quarter Century.’ It will unite the global security industry and accelerate conversations to explore strategies and source technologies for the challenges faced by global security leaders and professionals promoting bilateral trade, commerce, and innovation across borders.
About Messe Frankfurt
The Messe Frankfurt Group is one of the world’s leading trade fair, congress and event organisers with their own exhibition grounds. With a workforce of some 2,160 people at its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and in 28 subsidiaries, it organises events around the world. Group sales in financial year 2022 were around €454 million. We serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of Messe Frankfurt’s key strengths is its powerful and closely knit global sales network, which covers around 180 countries in all regions of the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. We are using our digital expertise to develop new business models. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services. Sustainability is a central pillar of our corporate strategy. Here, we strike a healthy balance between ecological and economic interests, social responsibility and diversity.
With its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent).
About Messe Frankfurt Middle East
Messe Frankfurt Middle East’s portfolio of exhibitions includes: Automechanika Dubai, Automechanika Riyadh, Beautyworld Middle East, Beautyworld Saudi Arabia, Intersec, Intersec Saudi Arabia, Gifts & Lifestyle Middle East, Light + Intelligent Building Middle East and Paperworld Middle East. In the 2022/23 event season, Messe Frankfurt Middle East exhibitions combined featured 3,939 exhibitors from 66 countries and attracted 151,990 visitors from 116 countries.
