Firms, individuals with outstanding health and safety records honoured

The first EHS Health and Safety Awards and a special recognition certificate were given out to the top companies and individuals in recognition of excellence in environmental health and safety performance in the construction safety, free zone operations, food and hygiene and port and maritime categories.

Ahmed Abdul Hussain, CEO of EHS, addressing the ceremony recently, congratulated those honoured for demonstrating commitment to health and safety.

“With Dubai now emerging as a hub for global commerce, international companies are coming here in increasing numbers, bringing with them a wide range of solutions to tackling environment, health and safety issues. This has enabled us to promote good health and safety initiatives and disseminate good practice throughout Dubai World businesses,” he said. “ We see one of the roles of EHS as facilitating the sharing of knowledge amongst organisations working under our jurisdiction. This award will act as an incentive to foster a value-based working environment for all.”

The awards, which were announced in June 2007, generated tremendous interest and response among the stakeholders, and brought the discussions on health and safety to the fore, fulfill one of their primary objectives. Owing to the quality of the companies and the level and quality of health and safety compliance, finalising the winners in each category was one of the toughest jobs faced by the panel of judges which comprised health and safety experts.

The submissions went through a rigorous process of selection and the shortlisted companies were audited by a panel of judges. The panel looked for evidence that a company had adopted a systematic approach to health and safety management. That included field inspection visits. It was also important for the panel to see evidence of top management commitment and involvement with health and safety; to be effective health and safety must be driven by top management. Statutory compliance was the minimum standard that the panel accepted; the winners were all exceeding these basic requirements.”

The award ceremony was attended by senior EHS and Dubai World representatives as well as guest representatives from international societies and institutions.

The annual award scheme will be implemented in three phases: the first phase will include Dubai World companies only; the second phase will cover companies operating in the UAE region as a whole and the third phase will see the participation of international companies.