British Safety Council launch first international office in Dubai

As part of the initiative, the British Safety Council is hosting a launch and awards event at the British Embassy in Dubai on Thursday 19th April 2007.

Whilst the British Safety Council has been delivering Health, Safety and Environmental solutions to its member companies across the region for several years, the business has now reached a level to invest locally.

Michael Cox-Hill, General Manager - British Safety Council, Dubai said,

"The initiative underpins our international growth strategy where we aim to further develop our Middle East business through the new regional hub office based in Dubai. We aim to provide further training, qualifications and auditing services to our member companies who embark on a proactive HSE agenda that assists us in supporting a healthier, safer and more sustainable society".

As a mark of intent, the British Safety Council is delivering a free local initiative that will look to train and certify 1,000 workers to a basic level of Health and Safety Awareness.

"We will look to develop this initiative in partnership with local businesses in order that every worker in any industry can receive a basic level of training and education. We believe that this initiative will raise safety standards throughout the region, as it will allow all workers and companies to implement the latest safety management techniques", added Cox-Hill.

The British Safety Council is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2007 and David E. Ballard, Chief Executive, British Safety Council added, "The Gulf region is a special place for us. Rapid development and industrial diversity combine to make our knowledge and experience particularly valuable. Together we can make the world a more safer and sustainable place. We look forward to working with the Gulf's safest companies over the next 50 years and beyond".

Awards - The event will also recognise the world class achievements of their Gulf member companies in the Health, Safety and Environmental arena:

Five Star Health and Safety Management System Audit Award - Gulf member companies who have attained Five Star status include:

• Department of Civil Aviation - Engineering Projects Division
• DEWA
• Dubai Drydocks

The British Safety Council will also award professional qualifications at Diploma level to employees of member companies including:

• ENOC (Emirates National Oil Company)
• Etisalat
• Nakheel
• RasGas - Qatar
• Kuwait Oil Company
• ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company)
• Abu Dhabi Municipality
• Dolphin Energy
• Dubai Properties

"We are very happy with the services and training provided by the British Safety Council. We are also pleased with the efforts taken by the BSC staff to help us prepare our safety management system in accordance with international standards and to achieve Five Star Ranking", said Khalifa Al Zaffin, Director, Department of Civil Aviation - Engineering Projects Division.

Alan Locker, Technical Director at Dubai Drydocks also added, "The benefits of achieving Five Star status were tremendous both internally as a major motivator in enhancing the safety culture of our multinational workforce and externally by demonstrating to our customers our commitment to raising the awareness of safety throughout the organisation".

The delivery has also been welcomed region wide where David F. Anderson, Head of Safety, RasGas, Qatar said, "RasGas has been working in partnership with the British Safety Council for a number of years, helping to implement our policy of training our employees up to the highest international standards. It is our aim to have competent trained personnel at all levels within our organisation and the British Safety Council as one of the organisations that could assist RasGas in its strategy for employee development, in particular a development programme for nationals".