Debut Event Supported by World’s Largest Professional Health and Safety Organization IOSH

A conference on workplace health and safety will take place on April 2 as part of the debut edition of the Occupational Safety and Health Middle East (OSH ME) held from 1-3 April, 2014 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The conference will discuss the need to adopt a culture of work-place health and safety in the Middle East region.

Organized by the Abu Dhabi Environment, Health and Safety Center (OSHAD), the UAE Interior Ministry and Reed Exhibitions, the conference will take place under the theme of ‘OHS Management – Protecting People, Adding Value’.

The event is also supported by leading occupational health and safety organisations in the world including the Health Safety Executive (HSE), the UK-based Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) - the biggest professional health and safety membership organisation in the world, the British Safety Council (BSC), International Institute of Risk & Safety Management (IIRSM) and the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE).

The conference will be addressed by Judith Hackitt, Chair, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) - an independent organisation working in the field of health, safety and work-related diseases based in the UK and Tim Briggs, President, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) who will participate in a panel session.

His Excellency Dr Jaber Eidha Al Jaberi, Director General of Abu Dhabi EHS Center, will deliver a welcome speech entitled ‘Abu Dhabi Environment, Health and Safety Management Systems (EHSMS) – Leading the Way to Improve Workplace OSH Standards’. Judith Hackitt, Chair of the Health Safety Executive (HSE), a national independent watchdog working in the UK for work-related health, safety and illness, will deliver a keynote address and Tim Briggs, President of IOSH, will participate in a panel discussion.

“We are delighted to be hosting this important event for the first time,” said Dr. Jaber Al Jaberi. “As our emirate develops and our population grows both in terms of number and diversity, it is important that our health and safety infrastructure evolves along with it. In this respect, Abu Dhabi is proving to be a regional leader in the adoption of health and safety best practice through the work being carried out by the (OSHAD) centre.”

He continued: “A culture of work-based health and safety is an important pillar of Abu Dhabi’s attractiveness as one of the world’s leading cities in which to work and live. This conference will allow us to build on the good work being carried out so far by developing an understanding of global best practice whilst continuing to raise awareness at a national and regional level as to the importance of occupational health and safety.”

Taking place from 8.30am to 12.50pm, the conference will provide a platform for OSH professionals to discuss new approaches and technological advancements to help meet workplace safety challenges. It will also combine deliberations on workplace health and safety issues, OSH initiatives implemented at local government level and the latest trends in international best practice.

OSH professionals from entities located in Abu Dhabi emirate can claim Continued Professional Development (CPD) hours by attending the OSH ME conference and its associated workshops that offer guidance to develop effective workplace health and safety policies.

OSH ME is co-located with the International Exhibition for Security and National Resilience (ISNR 2014), an integrated platform to discuss avenues of cooperation and share ideas among governments to ensure safety and security of nations in the MENA region.