Expo 2020 Dubai gets 'sword of honour' for ensuring safety of workers

Artist's impression of the Expo 2020.

By Wam

Published: Wed 13 Jan 2021, 7:03 PM

Last updated: Tue 23 Nov 2021, 2:40 PM

Expo 2020 Dubai has been awarded the British Safety Council’s Sword of Honour. This is in recognition of the organisation’s dedication to ensuring the health, safety and well-being of its workforce.

Expo 2020 is one of 66 organisations from across the globe to achieve the prestigious accolade in 2020.

The British Safety Council is one of the world’s leading health and safety bodies, with the London-based charity providing training in more than 50 countries.

The 2020 awards mark the 41st year in which the Sword of Honour for health and safety management excellence has been presented.

To be eligible for the award, an organisation must first achieve the five-star assessment in the British Safety Council’s internationally recognised health and safety management audit scheme, which Expo accomplished in 2020.

Dr Rob Cooling, Operational Head, Health & Safety Operations at Expo 2020, said, "The health, safety and well-being of our workforce is Expo 2020’s greatest priority, and we are extremely proud that our ongoing efforts have been recognised by the British Safety Council with the illustrious Sword of Honour award.

"We take our responsibilities toward our workers very seriously, with the entire Expo 2020 team committed to maintaining the policies we have set down as part of our Better Together strategy."

Lawrence Waterman OBE, Chairman of the British Safety Council, said, "On behalf of the board of trustees and staff of the British Safety Council, I would like to congratulate Expo 2020 Dubai on achieving the topmost standards of health and safety management.

"Accomplishing such distinction takes real commitment and professionalism. We are delighted to have supported them in this achievement, particularly during what has been an unprecedented year given the Covid-19 pandemic."

The policies set out as part of Expo 2020’s Better Together strategy cover the entire scope of construction, from the pre-qualification stage through to completion of work onsite.

Throughout the Covid-19 crisis, the health of everyone working at Expo 2020 has been the organisation’s top priority.

With tens of thousands of workers to protect, while keeping the UAE’s largest construction project on track, Expo 2020 implemented a far-reaching programme of precautionary measures across the entire site.