Quarter 4 2016 UAE IIRSM newsletter

Vice Chairman’s Message: Frank Higgins
Since becoming an active IIRSM
member in the Middle East five
years ago, I have seen our institute
grow year on year. This has only
been possible due to the hard work
of both the branch committee and
its members, with IIRSM coming out
from the shadows and now playing
a pivotal role in the region working
with regulators and industry leaders
to improve the management of risk
and safety.
Our institute continues to grow its
membership base, both at an
individual and corporate level and
UAE BRANCH
Quarterly Newsletter
Issue: October – December 2016
we look forward to continuing this development with activities such as the signing
of Memorandum of Understandings (MoU’s) with the Ministry of Labor, PASMA
and other government entities and corporate bodies.
We have recently restructured our meetings to ensure we encourage further
member engagement, delivering insightful, specific and professionally facilitated
topics that our members require. Recalling my first meeting in 2011 with only 11
members present, we have now advanced our attendance levels to an average
of 30 members and guests at both Abu Dhabi and Dubai events. Branch
QUOTE OF THE ISSUE
“The absence of accidents does
not in any way assure the
presence of safety.”
Paul O’Neill (ex CEO Alcoa)
FACT OF THE ISSUE
You are 4 times more likely to have
a crash when you are talking on
your cell phone, eating a sandwich,
or looking at objects outside your
window.
When you reach for a moving
object, like a bottle of water rolling
on the floor, or try to put something
into your pocket, you are 9 times
more likely to have a crash.
IIRSM UAE Branch
www.iirsm.org
Email: uaebranch@iirsm.org
Page 1 of 5
This publication is intended to be a general informative newsletter and cannot be substituted for professional advice.
members are also now in discussions with some major organisations in the region regarding corporate memberships.
IIRSM UAE branch has had many achievements of significance in the region, such as assisting with the development
of the new Federal Construction Regulations and supporting other focus groups shaping other areas of legislation.
This is an indication of the commitment and achievement of concerned individual members and the institute as a
renowned and respected body.
The branch receives ongoing, active support from our corporate leadership, especially over the last three years. Our
leaders have been visible in our region, speaking to regulators and industry at large, as well as supporting our branch
activities. Earlier this year our IIRSM President was a guest speaker at an OSHAD supported conference in Abu
Dhabi.
I look forward to our branch continuing to grow in 2017, with our members actively supporting the committee, ensuring
that IIRSM continues to be recognised as a leading association for risk and safety professionals.

IIRSM UAE Sponsors
IPAF
The International Powered Access
Federation (IPAF) promotes the safe
and effective use of powered access
worldwide. Set up in 1983, IPAF is a
not-for-profit members’ organisation
that represents the interests of
manufacturers, distributors, users,
rental and training companies.
IIRSM’s relationship with IPAF is to
encourage the cooperation and
collaboration within the UAE’s OHS
community in relation to awareness,
capacity building, training,
professional development through
attendance at seminars, workshops
and conferences.
Jason Woods – Middle East
Representative
M: +971 55 309 4333
E: jason.woods@ipaf.org
W: www.ipaf.org
Myriad Global Media
Myriad Global Media is a corporate
media production company
specialising in the delivery of award
winning, world-class corporate media
communications specialising in the
oil and gas, transport, technology,
engineering and construction
sectors. For more than 25 years,
they’ve served the communications
needs of the industry’s leading
international players, producing
powerful, engaging media that
informs and delights audiences
around the world.
IIRSM’s relationship with Myriad
Global Media is designed to
maximize the ability to market our
brand throughout the UAE, whilst
continuing to address HSE related
matters
Christy Murray – Sales & Events
Manager
M: +971 509282994
E: christy.murray@myriadglobalmedia.com
W: www.myriadglobalmedia.com
EVENTS
BOHS Worker Health Protection Conference
IIRSM supported the 3rd BOHS Worker Health Protection Conference which
was held at Le Royal Meridien, Abu Dhabi, between the 25 – 28 September
2016.
The event was a tremendous success with more than 100 international
delegates representing over 70 organisations including government
authorities, regulators, key industry players, analysts and media attending
the event.
IIRSM was represented by Eng. Raed Al Marzouqi, Head of Occupational
Health and Safety at Dubai Municipality, who informed delegates that “99
per cent” of accidents are the fault of employers. He said: “When you bring
someone into the UAE, it is like looking after your own kid. “You have to
provide the basic requirements, if you bypass the system and rules
authorities will take disciplinary action, if you do not provide the right
training, right tools and right protection for the workers you will be held
responsible. It is like having a kid.” He continued: “In a country like the UAE,
we have a diversity of workers and when we take them in, we have an
obligation towards them, like they do towards us.
DAEP’s 7th
Annual Environmental Campaign
IIRSM UAE participated in DAEP’s 7th Annual Environmental Campaign
was held on 1 November in Al Maktoum International Airport’s Airshow
Exhibition Hall. Organised by Dubai Airports Engineering Projects (DAEP)
this event was aimed at promoting Environmental Awareness amongst all
DAEP contractors involved in construction activities at Dubai’s Airports. This
year’s focus was on promoting Sustainable Construction. Our branch’s
participation was recognized by ‘dar’ and DAEP, by way of a gift received
by the branch treasurer, Abdullatif Albitawi, representing IIRSM during the
event.
PASMA Middle East Conference
Held on the 20 November, IIRSM UAE supported PASMA’s Middle East
conference which focused on the mobile access industry highlighting safety
considerations, current challenges and best practices. This was a full day of
presentations, sharing of expertise and knowledge amongst the wide range
of delegates throughout the region.
IIRSM member and representing the UAE’s Ministry of Labor, Dr. Ali Salem
Qaiwani, spoke about the importance of training in health and safety.
DAEP’s 7th
Annual Environmental
Campaign - Abdullatif Albitawi (Branch
Treasurer) receiving an award from dar
and DAEP officials
IIRSM UAE Branch
www.iirsm.org
Page 2 of 5
PASMA Middle East Conference
- Dr. Ali Salem Qaiwani ( UAE’s
Ministry of Labor) addressing the
attendees at the recent event

IIRSM UAE Branch
www.iirsm.org
Page 3 of 5
Situation
Located in Ras Laffan Industrial City, the ORYX GTL plant is Qatar’s first
commercial producer to process natural gas into low‑sulfur and environmentally
friendly diesel, naphtha, and LPG. 32,000 barrels of diesel and 8,000 barrels of
naphtha are produced every day at the site.
ORYX GTL has strived since it began operations in 2006 to achieve the
highest‑calibre of safety for its employees, but pre‑existing factors made safety
improvement a challenge. The absence of centralised HSE legislation in Qatar
placed unique demands on senior management and safety practitioners.
Although existing laws addressed various aspects of HSE, the need for a
robust health and safety regime became increasingly evident to ORYX leaders.
Solution
In 2007, ORYX GTL partnered with BST (now DEKRA Insight) to develop a
comprehensive safety improvement process designed to make the company’s
safety goal of ‘going beyond zero’ a reality. ORYX leaders recognized that they
first needed to change behaviours before they could change practices. They
created the company‑wide change initiative OASIS, short for Observation at
Site Improves Safety. This employee‑driven, behaviour‑based safety
programme began training workers as observers, sponsored leadership
development for supervisors and managers, and helped cultivate strong
communication practices for a high‑functioning and well‑integrated
organisation.
Every week the HSE manager and direct reports meet to measure progress
against a five‑year strategy plan. The plan prioritises key elements to advance
the safety culture, build employee and contractor confidence, and
improve safety systems. In addition, the team goes over a scorecard of leading
and lagging indicators that compare KPI performance against goals. When a
specific action is found to be falling below expectations, a recovery plan is
immediately designed and put into place. The scorecard is a part of a suite of
KPIs that link the CEO to all levels of the business.
Results
The hard work of everyone at ORYX GTL has certainly paid off. In September
2012, the site reached a total recordable incident rate of zero and has
maintained it through the time this report was written (October 2016 – 5 years
LTI free). Across ten categories measuring organisational culture, the plant saw
dramatic improvements over its pre‑OASIS scores in such areas as leadership,
peer support for safety, and upward communication. ORYX GTL currently has
more than 450 trained observers both in the Ras Laffan plant and Doha offices.
An average of 1,000 observations are made each month.
As a company, ORYX GTL has embraced the challenge of turning around its
safety culture and has undeniably driven it towards excellence—something
everyone at ORYX GTL is extremely proud of. Employees are now more willing
to take on HSE issues because training, leadership support, and recognition of
their contributions have given them the confidence and tools to succeed.
Through strong leadership, transparent, well-communicated information, and
management dedication to continuous improvement, employees are fully
committed to going beyond zero and advancing safety across all of ORYX
GTL.
Graph depicting the downward trend
to 0 TRIFR, and now 5 years LTI free
Comparative cultural diagnostics
highlighting substantial improvement
CASE STUDY
ORYX GTL – Ras Laffan, Qatar

MEMBER PROFILE
Shimjith Chiriyath (HSE Training Manager /
Integrated Management System Consultant at
Safety Services Group)
What led to a career in health and safety?
I was working as Trainee Engineer with one of
the EPC contractor at oil refinery in India. That was
a great place where safety is always the priority.
I had also spent a lot of time in health and safety
issues there and got interested in this field.
You've recently been awarded a Fellowship.
What does this mean to you?
It was a great personal recognition. I was working
hard to achieve this and it’s my pleasure that I have
been appreciated by IIRSM. As a Fellow member,
this will further enhance my areas of responsibilities
with social commitments and dedication towards
keeping the workplace safe.
What qualifications do you have?
 BSc Psychology (Expect)
 Dip Elect Eng, Dip Industrial Safety
 NEBOSH-IGC
What does your current role involve?
As HSE Training and Development Manager (Consultation and Training), I
am usually involved in policy making, preparing new training strategies to
improve safety culture amongst the workforce and the organisation. I
consult also to companies in preparing their OHS management systems,
Health and safety training plans, emergency preparedness etc.
What is the best part of your work?
It's interesting to work with different people who have various education
levels and diverse backgrounds, having trained workers from more than
sixty different nationalities. As a trainer, you get inspired by getting valuable
feedback that the training objectives make a difference. One example
involved continuous safety training for one organisation in a ship building
company. After a couple of months, one of the employees who had been
working for 20 years in that company expressed to me that he had never
experienced such an improvement in health and safety at his organisation
during his tenure. This was a great feeling and drives me to do much more.
What do you find challenging in your role?
Many companies in the region still doesn’t consider training in health and
safety as a key part of their success in keeping people safe. In addition,
many organisations don’t set aside reasonable budget allowances and time
for health and safety trainings. I would urge all the companies to identify
and recognise health and safety training as an investment to their business
and choose the best quality and results oriented training establishments.
What would your priorities be if you were the UAE IIRSM Branch
Chairman?
I believe it is in supporting the entire branch members in their professional
development by introducing new skill development programs.
Note: Members wishing to be profiled in future editions, please contact - uaebranch@iirsm.org
Local News
3 August - 1 Dead, 21 Injured and
aircraft destroyed at Dubai
International Airport. A Boeing 777-
300 aircraft, was destroyed following
the impact with the runway and the
subsequent fire," the GCAA said in a
press release.
30 August - A fire broke out in a
building under construction in Abu
Dhabi and continued for nearly two
hours before being brought under
control. Workers and people were in
the surrounding areas at the time
and had safely evacuated. There
were no reported casualties.
9 September - The Ministry of
Human Resources and Emiratisation
(the Ministry) recently announced
that as of 1 January 2017
construction and industrial sector
employers, with a workforce of 500
or more persons, shall employ an
Emirati health and safety officer.
21 September - A huge fire broke
out at four warehouses in Ajman’s
new industrial area, causing
widespread damage to four
warehouses. The warehouses
affected by the fire are used for the
manufacture and storage of paints.
Note: Members wishing to be profiled in future editions, please contact - uaebranch@iirsm.org
IIRSM UAE Branch
www.iirsm.org
Page 3 of 5

Safety Quiz
1. What hierarchy of control
measure is most effective?
a) Administrative
b) Engineering
c) Substitution
d) Elimination
2. Hazards are situations or
things that may be
dangerous to workers’
safety or health? Which of
these are hazards?
a) Electrical cable across path
b) Loud music of noise
c) Stress
d) All of the above
3. What is an example of
hazard elimination?
a) Erecting warning signs
b) Destroying faulty lifting slings
c) Employee dismissed
d) All of the above
4. What is louder?
a) A rock concert
b) A fire alarm
c) A chainsaw
d) A leaf blower
5. What defines a confined
space?
a) Not designed for normal
occupancy
b) Restricted access and exit
points
c) Potential for hazardous
atmospheres
d) All of the above
6. What are warning signs
and symptoms of stroke?
a) Face drooping
b) Arm weakness
c) Speech difficulties
d) All of the above
Answers on page
TOPIC OF THE QUARTER
Vehicle and Driving Safety
In most first world countries, it is estimated that a quarter of all road traffic
incidents may involve somebody who is driving as part of their work at the
time.
Legislation here in the UAE applies to work activities on the road in the same
way as it does to all work activities and organisations need to manage the
risks to drivers as part of your health and safety arrangements. Effective
management of work-related road safety helps reduce risk, no matter what
size your organisation is. It could also result in, for example:
 fewer injuries to drivers;
 reduced risk of work-related ill health;
 reduced stress and improved morale.
 safety outcomes have a context
Consideration in approaching the management of work-related road
safety
Plan - Describe how you manage health and safety in your organisation and
plan to make it happen in practice
 Assess the risks from work-related road safety in your organisation.
 Produce a health and safety policy covering, for example, organising
journeys, driver training and vehicle maintenance.
Do – Prioritise and control your risks, consult your employees and provide
training and information
 In larger organisations, make sure departments with different
responsibilities for work-related road safety co-operate with each
other.
 You must provide training and instruction where necessary.
Check – Measure how you are doing
 Monitor performance to ensure your work-related road safety policy is
effective and has been implemented.
 Encourage your employees to report all work-related road incidents
or near misses.
Act – Review your performance and learn from your experience
 Make sure you collect enough information to allow you to make
informed decisions about the effectiveness of your existing policy and
the need for changes, for example targeting those more exposed to
risk.
 Regularly revisit your health and safety policy to see if it needs
updating.
NOTE: Extracted from the HSE’s - Driving at Work: Managing work-related road safety (INDG)
382)
Extracted from the Health and Safety Executive – ‘Driving at Work’ (INDG382)
IIRSM UAE Branch
www.iirsm.org
Page 4 of 5

HEALTH AND SAFETY CROSSWORD
IIRSM UAE Branch
www.iirsm.org
Page 5 of 6
ACROSS
3 Do not ----------- fire escape passageways and
firefighting equipment
5 It's easy to remember how to use a fire extinguisher
if you remember the word -----------
6 Close one ------------ in a filing cabinet before opening
another
8 --------------- is matching the job to the worker
9 Spilled liquids create --------------- and need to be
cleaned up/or identified immediately
10 We can prevent slips, trips and falls by maintaining
good ---------------
13 Reporting unsafe acts and unsafe conditions can
often help prevent ------------
14 When climbing the stairs, use the ------------
16 Don't read while walking. It doesn't save enough time
to ------------ the risk
18 The best time to prepare for an ----------------- is
before one happens
DOWN
1 When carrying an object, keep your --------- straight
2 During an emergency you should use the exit ---------
to you
4 Do not overload electrical circuits. Use only one ------
for each socket
7 It is our ---------- to work safely and report hazards
11 Whether you are sitting, standing or lifting, use
proper --------- to avoid muscle strain
12 Never let your ---------------- down on safety
15 Scan ------------- while you walk and remove hazards
that you encounter
17 Store ----------- items in lower drawers or on lower
shelves
Note: Answers will appear in the next edition

Phone: (555) 555-5555
Fax: (555) 555-0000
UAE Branch Meetings
7th
December, 2016
Abu Dhabi – Medical and Health
11th
January, 2017
Dubai – UAE Fire and Life Safety
Code of Practice Update
8th
February, 2017
Abu Dhabi – Scaffolding and
Working at Heights
8th
March, 2017
Dubai – Road and Vehicle Safety
5th
April, 2017
Abu Dhabi – Heat Management
Best Practices
3rd
May, 2017
Dubai - Process Safety
Management
All mee
ADDING A HUMOROUS SIDE TO SAFETY
Quiz Answers
1. What hierarchy of control
measure is most effective?
Answer – d) Elimination
2. Hazards are situations or things
that may be dangerous to
workers’ safety or health? Which
of these are hazards?
Answer - d) All of the above
3. What is an example of hazard
elimination?
Answer – b) Destroying faulty
lifting slings
4. What is louder?
Answer – a) A rock concert
5. What defines a confined space?
Answer – d) All of the above
6. What are warning signs and
symptoms of stroke?
Answer – d) All of the above
www.iirsm.org
+44 (0)20 8741 9100
info@iirsm.org

Quarter 4 2016 UAE IIRSM newsletter

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