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Middle East health and safety experts will come together in December at a leading conference in Dubai to explore how their profession can shake off negative stereotypes and play a vital role in business success.
‘Health and safety: serious but fun’ is the theme for this year’s Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) UAE Annual Networking Conference.
The conference will hear how health and safety professionals can engage, encourage and motivate workforces, rather than be viewed as people who put a stop to activities.
Speakers will draw on their experience of overcoming barriers. They will include a representative from leading construction firm Nakheel, which built Palm Jumeirah, while Ahmed El Hadidi, former Chair of IOSH’s UAE branch and regional health and safety manager for Crown Europe, will look at how making health and safety fun can improve results.
Meanwhile health and safety students from Zayed University will discuss why they are looking to get into the profession.
Matt Jackson, Chair of IOSH’s UAE branch, who will open the conference, said: “This year’s conference looks at the great deal of criticism our industry receives, particularly the belief that our work is always associated with a lot of ‘red tape’ and bureaucracy, but when something goes wrong, the first question is ‘where was health and safety?’
“The choice of speakers and particularly the attendance of Zayed University students, will also offer us a chance to listen to young health and safety professionals who are beginning their journey in our industry.
“Health and safety is increasingly becoming an attractive career option for young talent in the region. Hearing directly from them on their insights will be a great opportunity for us to learn about what the future of our industry looks like, how the education sector in the UAE is supporting their pre-workplace learning, and how health and safety can support the UAE as it continues to be one of the world’s most innovative and forward-thinking nations.”
The conference, held for the eighth successive year by the UAE branch, is being held at The Address, Dubai Marina, from 8.30am to 3.40pm on Wednesday 5 December.
IOSH’s Director of Strategy and Business Development Richard Orton will talk about ‘The Healthy Profit’, a publication release by the institution earlier this year which sets out the business benefits of health and safety.
Other speakers include Eng. Hani Hossni, Director, EHS Department at waste management firm Tadweer, Bipin Gautam, Overseas Project Manager for training consultancy Simian Skill, and Dr Ghanim Kashwani, Honorary Technology Secretary at the Energy Institute – Middle East Board.
