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 company dives into the factors that lead to false alarms, their environmental factors and the best ways to mitigate them.

False alarms within fire systems can present numerous challenges, ranging from undue disruption and anxiety to the misallocation of emergency services resources. A significant incidence of false alarms may also foster complacency, potentially leading to delayed responses during actual emergencies. Hence, the ability to reject false alarms is pivotal for the efficiency of a fire system.

Various factors can contribute to false alarms within fire systems. These factors encompass environmental influences, system configuration and maintenance challenges, as well as human errors. A comprehensive comprehension of these factors aids in devising tactics to mitigate false alarms.

Environmental factors

Environmental factors such as dust, humidity, and temperature fluctuations can cause false alarms in fire systems. For example, smoke detectors may be triggered by dust particles, while heat detectors may be affected by sudden changes in temperature. In some cases, environmental factors can also interfere with the proper functioning of the detectors, increasing the likelihood of false alarms.

System configuration and maintenance issues

Improper configuration of fire systems can also contribute to false alarms. For example, installing detectors in areas with high airflow or near cooking appliances may lead to false alarms. Additionally, inadequate maintenance of fire systems, such as failing to test, maintain, and replace detectors, can result in reduced performance and an increased likelihood of false alarms.

Human error

Human error is another factor that can contribute to false alarms. This can include accidental activation of manual call points or misuse of fire detection equipment. In some cases, lack of proper training or awareness about fire safety protocols can also lead to false alarms. The Soteria Tri-Sensor Detector is now available, with its standout modes, which employ a double knock effect within the detector. This means that before triggering an alarm signal to the panel, at least two sensors within the Tri-Sensor must register the presence of smoke or fire, significantly reducing the occurrence of false alarms. This feature is particularly crucial in environments like student accommodations and open-plan apartments, where false alarms, often triggered by cooking activities, can lead to unnecessary disruptions and safety concerns.

adi Facilities Engineering provides some insight into increasing safety at the workplace.

Brian Imrie, managing director of adi Facilities Engineering, a company providing full-service compliance engineering and management solutions, explores the most common compliance pitfalls for businesses.

Record-keeping

“Record-keeping is one of the most common issues, as people often don’t have the necessary documentation, or this is not easily accessible or available”, he says.

“It could be anything from the documents being locked away in a filing cabinet due to someone being on annual leave, to these being misplaced.

“When the HSE carries out an inspection, if you are not able to exhibit any relevant documentation upon request, then by default, you're non-compliant.

"It's about being able to demonstrate through auditable records that you've done what's required, to the relevant standard, and using competent resources in order to be compliant”.

Knowledge is power

“Another essential issue revolves around the competencies of staff, and their awareness of what's required. In some companies, individuals may simply not be aware of what the legal requirements are under the HSAWA.

“But ultimately, if there is an incident, ignorance is not a defence. If you don't know about specific legislations, it doesn't mean that you're not going to get prosecuted should an incident occur.

"It’s also key to make sure that people are aware of what their responsibilities and legal duties of care are.

“These duties can get lost between people, such as if the person in charge leaves and nobody else is assigned their duties, and gaps can appear if there is a need for cross-departmental cooperation in this area which is not adequately managed.

“Education should be a focal point. Not only should there be personnel appointed to ‘duty holder’ roles that deal with relevant legislative elements, but all staff should be made aware of the risks and of what’s required to manage and control them”.
Be proactive

"When it comes to compliance, businesses must be proactive rather than reactive. If you're reacting to something that's gone wrong, it’s already too late.

“The worst mistake that businesses can make is not prioritising health, safety and compliance, which is often due to time constraints or busy workloads.

“This may happen in manufacturing sites, where demanding production schedules translate to reduced downtime to carry out maintenance, for instance. This could lead to equipment that should be checked every year only getting checked once every few.

"But it’s vital that businesses keep up to date about evolving health and safety regulations and industry standards, particularly to avoid compliance becoming an oversight”.

Investing in a compliance gap analysis

“Audits conducted by experienced professionals are instrumental in ensuring that equipment and systems are safe, efficient, and reliable and that any inherent risk is adequately mitigated and controlled.

"This can involve mechanical and electrical tests and inspections, reviewing documentation and assessments, and checking that equipment and systems are fully compliant.

“It’s vital to remember that many tests, periodic inspections and maintenance activities are enforceable by law, so there are requirements for areas such as pressure systems, boiler operation, electrical systems, lifting operations, provision and use of work equipment and much more.

“Investing in a compliance gap analysis provides an essential tool for early identification of where businesses may be non-compliant and empowers them with the knowledge to put the right procedures in place to protect their staff and the business itself”.

Addressing compliance gaps

“It’s not enough to simply know where you are going wrong, however. It’s of paramount importance to know what the fix is to resolve the problem in the right way.

“It is essential to have access to the right expertise and solutions to navigate these challenges effectively. Expert advice and tailored solutions enable organisations to implement targeted measures to address these gaps proactively.

“This not only mitigates risks but also enhances operational efficiency and promotes a culture of safety within the workplace. It is an investment in the health, safety, and success of both employees and the organisation as a whole”.

Arabian Drilling, one of Saudi Arabia's largest national onshore and offshore drilling contractor, announced its financial results for Q1’24 with YoY EBITDA growth of 25%

DNV, an independent authority in energy solutions and assurance, has unveiled its latest standard, DNV-ST-F207, tailored for hybrid thermoplastic composite flexible pipes (TCPs)

Dubai Investments newest report called the 'Annual Sustainability Report for 2023' explains how the group has fared in the past year.

The report highlighted more than 7,900 hours of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) training, strong local supplier engagement with 72% local sourcing, and a commitment to empowering woman, with 12.5% of total managerial roles held by women.

Apart from this, the company recorded a 12% decrease in electricity usage and a 9.5% drop in overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to 2022 levels. By implementing proactive strategies to lessen dependence on fossil fuels and transition to alternative energy sources, the company managed to obtain 25% of its total energy consumption from sustainable alternatives, demonstrating its dedication to eco-friendly energy practices.

Aiding HSE professionals

Furthermore, significant strides were made through various initiatives, such as the conversion of security patrolling vehicles to hybrid models at the group's subsidiary Dubai Investments Park (DIP). This switch resulted in a remarkable 58% reduction in petrol consumption and a noteworthy 42% decrease in diesel usage.

Over the years, the company has conducted HAZOP (Hazard and Operability Study) and internal training for hazard identification, mitigation, regulatory compliance, Lean methodology, and HSE. Apart from this, divisions within the group have empowered auditors as well. Through this, internal auditors got trained extensively as ISO Auditors, completing the ISO Stage 1 audit for Integrated Quality and HSE system, reaffirming commitment to quality and safety. 

Mohammed Saeed Al Raqbani, head of the Sustainability Committee at Dubai Investments and general manager of Dubai Investments Industries and Masharie, said, “The Group’s relentless pursuit of sustainability is fundamental to Dubai Investments’ operational ethos. The significant strides documented in the 2023 report reflect the Group’s active engagement in environmental management and the commitment to shaping a sustainable future. These efforts are critical to minimising the ecological impact while aligning with the UAE’s sustainability goals."