Safety legacy on display at international conference in Riyadh

Aramco played a key role at the recent Occupational Safety and Health International Conference in Riyadh. Hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, this event was used as an opportunity to launch a new virtual platform aimed at protecting the labor force through stringent regulation of occupational safety and health (OSH) standards in the Kingdom.

Opened by HE Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, this event brought together five themes based on contributing factors to OSH. It focused on international trends related to occupational medicine, the adoption of modern applications and technologies to improve workplace standards, the importance of mental health and well-being, the private sector’s role in developing OSH regulations, and the importance of risk management in maintaining workplace safety.

Core safety management

The structure and working of some of the company’s core safety management systems were presented by three Loss Prevention (LP) engineers, providing a 360-degree view on essential components in building a strong OSH program. 

Aramco’s experience in developing and integrating such systems was demonstrated by LP’s Mark Fields; his presentation establishing the importance of developing Global Safety Management Systems, and underlining that a secure safety management system (SMS) is the foundation for a successful, strategic safety culture. 

A focus on the importance and impact of programs Kingdomwide to raise OSH performance was clearly seen in Faisal A. Shathri’s deep dive into the company’s Contractor Safety Management Program, established to ensure minimum safety standards and expectations from contractors are both clearly defined and demonstrably met.

Munirah M. AlSubait’s authoritative insight into Aramco’s Building Code Evaluation clarified how integrating core SMS strategies and standards into work procedures can ensure OSH objectives are achieved and remain robust. 

“These systems have become the foundation of our safety management,” said Zaher M. Tayeb, head of LP’s Global Safety Assessment and Compliance Division. “We continue to review and refine these systems and the fact that many businesses are replicating these systems and processes — especially within Saudi Arabia — is testament to the success of our safety journey to date.”

Technologies on display

Drawing a significant proportion of the 2,700 attendees who visited the exhibition over the three days, Aramco’s booth displayed a range of safety-related technologies, including an inspection drone used in confined spaces, as well as a hands-free headset — inclusive of video screen and audio connection — that enables direct communication between site personnel and office-based safety subject matter experts.

Visitors also had the opportunity to participate in some immersive virtual reality safety training that allowed users access into simulated Aramco work environments to identify common hazards in areas such as construction sites, workshops, and oil-gas separation plants.

Loss Prevention’s publication — Saudi Aramco and the Art of Safety — drew widespread attention from attendees for the unique and engaging manner in which it presents 80 years of safety communication. 

“It was a privilege to be part of this exciting event, which will undoubtedly benefit personnel working within the Kingdom,” said Ghassan G. Abulfaraj, chief loss prevention engineer. “Events such as this underline the clear commitment to OSH by the Saudi government, and these initiatives will enable Aramco to contribute and share in the Kingdom’s overall development and integration of standards, regardless of the industry involved.”

Caption for Top Photo
Ghassan G. Abulfaraj is joined by Khalid K. Al Mulhim, executive director of Corporate Affairs, as he provides His Excellency Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, with an overview of Aramco’s role in ensuring its support of the Kingdom’s occupational safety and health initiatives.