DEWA Organizes Contractors' Health & Safety Awareness Day

Event by winner of BSC 5-star Certificate in OH&S aids staff and partners As part of its strategy to implement the best integrated administrative systems in the field of occupational health, safety and environment, and in compliance with the best and most up-to-date international practices, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) organized the Contractors’ Health & Safety Awareness Day for contractors and consultants at Al Bustan Rotana hotel, Dubai, under the supervision of the Health & Safety section at DEWA, with senior employees, contractors and consultants in attendance. “DEWA is always keen to implement the best integrated administrative systems in the field of occupational health, safety and environment as part of a strategy that encompasses the best international practices to promote a culture of maintaining high standards of health, safety and environment and mitigate negative environmental effects on society. DEWA remains committed to providing a healthy atmosphere and work environment for everyone,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA. “The Contractors’ Health & Safety Awareness Day is for DEWA’s employees, contractors and consultants; to reinforce its mission, vision and policy of integrated administrative systems at DEWA. This event helps to provide a safe and healthy work environment; this is not only for our staff but also for all contractors. In the field of occupational health & safety, DEWA has made significant achievements. In addition, we use such events to reinforce our culture of occupational health, safety and environment and instill it within the mindset of our staff. This means that such activities, like as conserving the environment and protecting it from pollution and preserving our natural resources against waste, will become a pivotal in showing a profound link between sustainable development and preserving our natural resources,” added Al Tayer. Al Tayer expressed his delight in DEWA’s unprecedented achievements, which add to its record of distinguished achievements including the 5-Star Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety from the British Safety Council from 2002 to 2011. In 2012, DEWA got 97.8% score, which is the highest among UAE-based companies and institutions during the past five years. DEWA also achieved 5-Star Certificate in Environment from the British Safety Council “The Health & Safety and Environment sections at DEWA focus on this due to its role in protecting lives, assets and the environment, while setting policy, and publicizing both preventive awareness measures and technical instructions. DEWA keeps pace with the latest developments and updates in all matters related to occupational health and safety and is guided by best practices for the development of technical instructions to ensure the safety of personnel, premises and the environment in addition to the development of rules in training education and awareness,” said Dr. Yousef Ebrahim Al-Akraf, EVP- Business Support at DEWA. DEWA won The Sword of Honor four times in recognition of its efforts to maintain the health and safety of its employees. 2007 - 2012, DEWA organized a forum that focused on best practices in the field of Health, Safety, Environment and Quality with the participation of a large number of representatives from government departments and institutions, British Safety Council, GCC countries as well as DEWA’s partners. In May 2011, the Health, Safety and Environment Department at DEWA organized the first Annual Contractors’ Awareness Day for partners and consultants. Over 120 contractors and consultants participated in this event. They praised this initiative and applauded DEWA’s efforts in this regard, expressing their willingness to cooperate with DEWA to avoid work risks and achieve Occupational Health and Safety in their works.