Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) | DEWA’s occupational health and safety achievements ensure high protection for everyone and reflects the success of the Emirati experience

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) works to achieve the wise leadership’s directives to balance between health with society and the economy. During the COVID-19 pandemic and its repercussions, DEWA’s integrated plans on crisis management and business continuity supported its continued delivery of its services at the highest standards of efficiency, availability, reliability, and accountability. DEWA maintained its workflow without any interruptions in electricity and water supply for all Dubai residents during this period.

DEWA has taken precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of its customers and employees. DEWA’s advanced digital infrastructure allowed all stakeholders to use DEWA’s services through DEWA’s website and smart app. Also, the training programmes that DEWA’s employees have passed over the past years to use technical tools and media have enabled DEWA to support the efforts of Dubai to overcome the global exceptional circumstances associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. This is done by standing together and supporting all society and adopting common humanitarian values.

“The UAE has provided a unique model in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are proud to be one of the first countries to rebound from the effects of the pandemic, thanks to the vision of the wise leadership and the UAE’s strategy to ensure the highest levels of coordination between various concerned entities, and the protection of all citizens, residents, and visitors. At DEWA, we continue to adhere to all necessary measures to complete the process of recovery and return to our normal lives. We want to maintain the highest standards of health and safety in our various operations as part of our responsibility towards our employees, customers, and society. Therefore our integrated management system has instilled the highest standards of quality, efficiency and availability in our quality, health, safety and environment management systems,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

“DEWA adopts smart programmes and systems that promote sustainability, productivity, health and safety using the latest disruptive technologies and Fourth Industrial Revolution applications. DEWA actively ensures the health and safety of its employees in the workplace and provides them with quality solutions and the latest technologies and tools to help them perform field tasks easily and seamlessly, according to the highest international standards. DEWA has staff trained and qualified in the highest international standards in occupational safety, health, and the environment. Despite the giant global projects implemented by DEWA, it has recorded no injuries so far.” added Al Tayer

DEWA provides a healthy and safe environment for all employees and partners through continuous training to improve health and safety systems and improve production and operational efficiency, in addition to enhancing community awareness of the latest health and safety standards and procedures to become positive practices adopted by all members of society in various areas of their lives. This is part of its responsibility to its employees, customers, partners and society, and its intent to ensure a more sustainable and brighter future for generations to come.

Awareness and training campaigns

DEWA organised several campaigns on its online platforms, to raise employee awareness on health and safety during COVID-19, and to ensure the continuity of all services according to the highest international standards.

DEWA organised 70 awareness workshops and 54 consulting sessions online with the participation of 1,145 employees. Through its internal channels, it published varied content to keep staff aware of all precautionary measures, health and safety practices and instructions of concerned authorities. DEWA also conducted 344 training programmes to follow up on staff training and development to maintain excellence standards during COVID-19.

The 19th Internal Health and Safety Week

DEWA held the 19th Internal Health and Safety Week in December 2021 to communicate the importance of occupational health and safety to employees, customers, and partners. It included various activities, awareness lectures, in-person and virtual activities, and various interactive competitions on various occupational health and safety topics. This is in addition to introducing the latest fire prevention technologies, health, and safety procedures in the utilities sector. DEWA organises a health and safety week annually to raise health and safety standards in all its projects and operations, and for its employees to be aware of the latest regulations, developments and best practices in occupational health and safety to provide a healthy and safe work environment according to the highest levels of excellence and quality.

14th Public Health and Safety Week

In November 2021, DEWA organised the 14th Public Health and Safety Week. The week included innovative virtual interactive activities and educational games for school and university students to help them learn about the latest health and safety procedures and standards, in addition to participating in online competitions, in both Arabic and English, to win valuable prizes. The week also introduced community members to safety procedures at home in emergency situations such as fires and water leaks. It provided them tips from experts specialised in occupational safety and nutrition, and the principles of first aid.

Global awards

DEWA’s efforts to ensure the highest levels of health and safety for all stakeholders have culminated in it winning international awards, which supports its track record of achievements and consolidates the success of the UAE’s pioneering experience in maintaining the health, safety and security of every citizen and resident on its good land.

DEWA’s placing the health and safety of customers, employees, and partners on top of its priorities resulted in it winning diamond level awards at the first and second Harvard Business Council 2021 International Awards for Health & Safety Award and COVID-19 awards. DEWA upgraded the Occupational Health and Safety Administrative System (OHSAS 18001:2007) to the Occupational Health and Safety Management System (ISO 45001:2018).

DEWA was the first organisation in the Middle East to meet the British Safety Council’s global standards for measures to prevent COVID-19. It also won the Gold award for the health welfare category at the International Business Excellence Award 2020. The British Safety Council also presented the Sword of Honour in Health and Safety for the 14th time. In 2019, DEWA won the Best Business Awards, one of the highest awards in the UK for health and safety.