Abu Dhabi, Feb.17th,2008(WAM)--Under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), a National Symposium on Abu Dhabi Emirate Environment, Health and Safety Management System (EHSMS) will be held from February 25 - February 27, 2008 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The EHSMS is an integrated management system that takes into consideration all aspects related to the protection of the environment, of human health and of the safety of workers and the community at large. It recognizes the inter-relationships between workers, the community, and the environment in contributing to the management and mitigation of the many diverse risks associated with various activities. The implementation of the EHSMS was initiated by the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi Emirate who approved "Abu Dhabi Emirate EHS Policy" on 6 December 2006 and nominated the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) as the Authority responsible for supervising the development and implementation of the EHSMS at Emirate level, in cooperation and coordination with all concerned parties. The Symposium is being organised by EAD as per the recommendations of the EHS Higher Committee in order to launch Abu Dhabi Emirate EHSMS. The EHSMS will be implemented by 7 major sectors, which are: Construction and Building Sector, Industrial Sector, Transportation Sector, Tourism Sector, Health Sector, Oil and Gas Sector and the Energy Sector. Implementing EHSMS in these 7 sectors has many benefits. It will help promote a healthy and safe work environment, improve air quality, facilitate the management of urban and industrial noise, improve waste management, encourage better industrial land use planning, reduce contamination of land, improve energy efficiency and better use of water resources. Expected to speak at the opening of the Symposium are H.E Mohammed Al Bowardi, Secretary General of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; H.E Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General, Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi Chairman of the EHS Higher Committee and Dr. Basel Al Yousefi, Deputy Director, United Nations Environment Program/Regional office for West Asia. Confirmed speakers include representatives from the Environment Protection Agency- Victoria, Australia; HSE consultant-Canada, UNEP/ROWA, Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA), Supreme Petroleum Council (SPC), Abu Dhabi Health Care Service Company-Abu Dhabi (SEHA), and the EHSMS project consultant.. Speakers will give an overview of the EHSMS framework and its objectives, ISO Management Systems, benefits of integrating EHS and on how to overcome regulatory and cultural changes when introducing such a new framework. The main focus of the symposium will be on the elements of Abu Dhabi EHSMS and requirements for its implementation.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2008.
