Sharjah National Oil Corporation inaugurates HSE EXPO 2024 to Advance Health, Safety, and Environmental Excellence in Sharjah

Sharjah, April 28^th, 2024 – The Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) has inaugurated, on Tuesday 23^rd April, 2024, the HSE Expo 2024 in the presence of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al-Qasimi, Deputy Chairman of Sharjah Petroleum Council. SNOC, with its rich legacy in HSE best practices, hosted this initiative with the aim of fostering excellence and promoting knowledge sharing, networking, and innovation in shaping a sustainable future for Sharjah and beyond. It aims to consolidate all facets of safe work practices under one roof.

During the event, Hatem Al Mosa, CEO of SNOC, expressed in his opening remarks his sympathy to the affected people of the UAE, following the recent heavy rainstorms that impacted the country. “This impact is of direct relevance to the topic of this conference as it has affected our health, our safety and had its impact on the environment and all of us.” SNOC CEO added “At SNOC, we understand the importance of prioritizing health, safety, and environmental stewardship in all our operations. That is why we have convened this gathering of industry experts, thought leaders and stakeholders to address the critical challenges and opportunities and HSE management collectively. We have the unique opportunity to exchange insights, share our best practices, and explore innovative solutions that will contribute to shaping the future of HSC operations and practices and industry and our lives. Together, we can cultivate a culture of safety, foster environmental sustainability, and drive positive change that would benefit organizations, our communities, and our planet”.

The conference session covered crucial topics related to HSE regulations in Sharjah. The regulatory landscape was a focal point, helping attendees understand the range of health, safety, and environmental regulations applicable to organisations in Sharjah. It shed light on legal obligations by clarifying the legal responsibilities imposed on organisations, including workplace safety requirements and environmental protection measures.

Moreover, the session delved into collaborative compliance, exploring approaches to HSE compliance through stakeholder engagement. By discussing collaborative methods, attendees gained insights into fostering a culture of compliance. Additionally, the event addressed challenges and solutions in HSE compliance. It identified common compliance hurdles and provided a platform to discuss strategies to overcome them effectively.

Overall, these discussions aimed to equip attendees with valuable insights and practical guidance to enhance their compliance efforts. The session sought to promote a culture of safety and environmental stewardship among organisations operating in Sharjah.

Industry 4.0 and workplace safety

The conference section focused on the impact of the fourth industrial revolution on workplaces in terms of practical effects and/or consequences on the main aspects of occupational safety. It explored innovative work organisation, human–machine interaction, the creation of a more sustainable industrial value, psychological risks, and changing work environments. The discussions provided insights into how the fourth industrial revolution has influenced these areas and the implications it has had on occupational safety practices.

Occupational health surveillance

This session focused on providing participants with insights into the tools, techniques, challenges, and best practices involved in monitoring workplace health through occupational health surveillance. It explored various methods and techniques used for monitoring workplace health, including medical surveillance (e.g., health screenings, medical examinations), exposure monitoring (e.g., air sampling, biological monitoring), and health outcome surveillance (e.g., injury reporting systems, disease registries). Additionally, the session discussed future directions and emerging trends in occupational health.

Training sessions also included those on fire safety, environmental sustainability, heat stress awareness, and work at height awareness.

Speakers included: Dr. Waddah S. Ghanem Al Hashmi, Chairman of the UAE National/Federal Committee for Occupational Health and Safety; Abdulaziz Aljasmi, HSE manager at SNOC; Dr. Hashem Stietiya, Director – Research & Development at BEEAH; Obiajulu Tawose, HSE lead at SNOC; Ali Abdulla Al Ali, UAE Country Chair’s Office at Petrofac, among others.