International safety organisation firmly established in Middle East
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, Europe's leading organisation for health and safety professionals, is now also firmly established in Dubai and its lead role at Intersec Middle East (13th-15th January) is expected to stimulate discussion about best approaches in tackling the region's safety challenges.
Since the formation of its Middle East Branch in 2006, membership has gone from strength to strength.
Branch Chairman Ahmed Al Menhali said: "We live in an area that is blessed with resources and is progressing - at a great speed - in all economic and industrial sectors. The tasks ahead are very challenging and we will only be successful if we can harness the energy of all IOSH members in the Middle East to assist in achieving our goals."
The Middle East Branch was established to assist the integration of local and international safety and health practitioners and to promote best practice across the Middle East region. IOSH members include chartered safety and health practitioners who work within major commercial sectors including construction, oil and petrochemicals.
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health is working closely with governments, including authorities in the UAE, to drive forward the safety agenda. The IOSH 'Get the Best' campaign calls for business leaders and employers to recognise the value of occupational safety and health professionals. IOSH believes that health and safety is such a vital part of business that it needs to be managed by experts, qualified and experienced to give the right advice. To get the best results, you need to get the best people.
Ray Hurst, international President of IOSH, said: "The UAE is developing at such a rate that we need to make sure health and safety standards are continually improving. Dubai currently has construction work in progress amounting to over $100 billion, and its success relies on business leaders getting the best health and safety advice.
"IOSH is a global organization, and we're working to develop our presence in countries all over the world through our members and through supporting events like Intersec.
"I hope that Intersec and the IOSH Middle East Branch will help the health and safety community in the region to grow. I'd like IOSH to be involved in developing legislation throughout the region, as well as helping to promote the improvements that are made."
Safety professionals who join IOSH enjoy significant member benefits including access to a comprehensive technical database, bespoke networking events focusing on best practice and continuous professional development.
Nearly 100,000 people every year take part in IOSH health and safety training. The comprehensive range of short courses has developed from years of experience in designing and delivering high quality, flexible and authoritative programmes in every sector at every level.
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Editors Notes
IOSH is Europe's leading body for health and safety professionals. We have over 31,000 members worldwide, including more than 11,500 Chartered Safety and Health Practitioners.
The Institution was founded in 1945 and is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that sets professional standards, supports and develops members and provides authoritative advice and guidance on health and safety issues. IOSH is formally recognised by the ILO as an international non-governmental organisation.
For more information, please contact:
Malcolm Adcock
IOSH media manager
Email: malcolm.adcock@iosh.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)7703 357 967 in Dubai.
© Press Release 2008
