Ahead of World Day for Safety and Health at Work, organisations in the UAE must reinforce their commitment to safeguard the health, safety, and occupational wellbeing of their workforce. The global burden of workplace injury remains a significant concern, with the latest data highlighting the urgent need for action: approximately 2.93 million workers are reported to lose their lives annually due to work-related diseases (89%), and occupational accidents and injuries (11%).

Over 75% of work-related mortality is attributed to circulatory, neoplastic, and respiratory diseases.1 Notably, long working hours and pollutant exposure are major contributors¹, highlighting the ongoing importance of robust workplace health and safety measures. The prevalence of respiratory issues globally reveal a 10% rise in assistance requests related to respiratory diseases in 2024 compared to the previous year.

Despite the risk of workplace harm to workers and organisations alike, most of the global workforce has never had Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) training (62%). While this indicates a significant area for improvement, organisations are showing progress in mental health support, with over 70% integrating it into their workplace health and safety policies, according to a new report by the International SOS Foundation.

Guidelines to help organisations create healthier and safer workplaces:

1. Conduct thorough health and safety risk assessments: Identify and evaluate all potential hazards in the workplace, including physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial risks.
2. Promote a culture of health and occupational wellbeing: Foster a workplace environment that values and supports the physical and mental health of workers, including access to health services, wellness programmes, and mental health support.
3. Provide comprehensive training: Equip employees with the knowledge and skills they need to work safely, including hazard recognition, safe work practices, and emergency procedures.
4. Develop robust crisis management plans: Be prepared to respond effectively to emergencies, such as workplace incidents, natural disasters, and pandemics, to minimise the impact on workers ' health and safety.
5. Focus on mental health: Implement programmes that support workers ' mental wellbeing, reduce stigma, and provide access to mental health resources.
6. Mitigate the risks of excessive working hours: Implement clear policies and practices that prevent excessive overtime, including workload management strategies and time-off provisions.
7. Regularly review and improve: Continuously monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of health and safety programmes and make necessary adjustments to ensure ongoing improvement.

To effectively mitigate risks, deeply embedded health and safety practices, including education and training for the workforce within the organisation, are vital. These elements are not merely supplementary but are critical for fostering proactive vigilance and preventing human error. Where health and safety are ingrained within the organisational culture, both workers and management are better positioned to actively identify and address potential hazards, thereby safeguarding the workforce and ensuring sustainable business practices. 

Sebastien Bedu - General Manager, Middle East, International SOS

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