Abu Dhabi, U.A.E: Employee health and wellbeing requires the same focus as safety, the President of the leading global body in the field said today at IOSH’s ninth annual Middle East Conference in Abu Dhabi.

Opening the conference, Craig Foyle said it is “great to see” a determination across the region to ensure people’s health – both physical and mental – does not suffer because of work.

The IOSH President highlighted a Memorandum of Understanding agreed earlier this year between the Dubai Health Authority and Standing Committee for Labour Affairs to enhance the health of labour workers as an example of this determination.

Mr Foyle went on to recognize that many “top organizations” already have effective health and wellbeing systems in place.

He said: “Our conference today is on the theme of health and wellbeing. It is vital that the health and wellbeing of workers is given the same prominence as their safety.

“It was great to hear that earlier this year the Dubai Health Authority and the Standing Committee for Labour Affairs had signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Among its aims is to enhance the healthcare of labour workers.

“There is a clear determination in this region, and indeed across the world, that workers remain healthy and to make sure their health isn’t harmed by work activities. There are many examples of top organizations that are leading the way and recognizing the importance of health and wellbeing. This is great to see.”

Mr Foyle went on to say that keeping workers fit and well brings business benefits.

He added: “In doing so, these organizations are reaping the rewards from having a motivated workforce and massively reduced absence levels. What organization wouldn’t want this?”

Doctor Hassan Shuri is a Consultant & Head of Technical Services in Medical Fitness Department, Dubai Health Authority, “It is great to attend the IOSH conference, especially with the focus being on health and wellbeing which is a very important topic. We encourage organizations to develop good health and wellbeing strategies. We are interested to hear updates about what IOSH is doing in the UAE. It is clear their goals align very closely with our own.”

Today’s event at the Yas Viceroy is IOSH’s ninth annual Middle East Conference. The event brings together health and safety professionals from across the region, along with business leaders.

Ms Maisa Al Bustani, Director of Medical Fitness Services Department at the Dubai Health Authority, is one among the many special guests.

Following Mr Foyle’s opening address, other speakers include Dr Rob Cooling, who heads up health and safety at Expo 2020, and Stephen Smith, who is in charge of health and safety at Multiplex.

Charles Faulkner, an asbestos management specialist based in the UAE, joins Mr Foyle on stage to look at how organizations can ensure workers are not exposed to asbestos fibres, which can cause fatal cancer.

Asbestos is the focus of the fourth phase of IOSH’s No Time to Lose occupational cancer campaign. The Institution has produced free resources, including Arabic, Hindi and Urdu versions, to help organizations manage asbestos.

IOSH’s UAE Branch, which has more than doubled in size since the start of 2016 and currently has over 1,700 members, can help to inform, businesses how to protect workers from asbestos exposure and manage other health and safety risks.

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is the world’s leading chartered professional body for people responsible for safety and health in the workplace. We have more than 47,000 members in over 130 countries.

We act as a champion, adviser, advocate and trainer for safety and health professionals working in organisations of all sizes. Our focus is to support our members in their efforts to create workplaces that are safer, healthier and more sustainable.

Our shared objective is a world where work is safe and healthy for every working person, every day. Through our 2017-2022 strategy, ‘WORK 2022 – shaping the future of safety and health’, we will seek to enhance the occupational safety and health profession, build strategic collaborative partnerships across industry and strengthen our influence globally through impactful research and development.

Media enquiries
For more information please contact:

Marcus Boocock, Communications Officer – marcus.boocock@iosh.com, +44 (0) 116 257 3139 or +44 (0)798 000 4474

Simon Butt-Bethlendy, PR Manager – simon.butt-bethlendy@iosh.com, +44 (0)116 257 3371 or +44 (0)779 060 7217

© Press Release 2018