Sama Dubai receives ISO certification for Environmental Management and Occupational Health & Safety Systems

The awards follow the assessment by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance (LRQA), a leading global business assurance company.

With the ISO certification, Sama Dubai has gained the distinction of becoming the first company within Dubai Holding to receive accreditation in Quality Management (ISO 9001), Environmental Management System (ISO 14001), and Occupational Health and Safety (OHSAS 18001) during the same year.

Farhan Faraidooni, Executive Chairman, Sama Dubai, received the certification from Bassem Obaid, Area Manager, LRQA at a ceremony that was attended by senior executives and staff members of Sama Dubai.

The ISO 14001 certification focuses on the requirements for an environmental management system. Implementing ISO 14001 required Sama Dubai to identify aspects of its operations that could impact the environment and develop appropriate management controls to minmise or mitigate such impacts.

OHSAS 18001 has been implemented by Sama Dubai to create a proactive structured process and ensure all potential hazards are considered and measures implemented to mitigate health and safety risks. The internationally recognized system is developed to be compatible with ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 to help organizations meet their health and safety obligations in an efficient manner.

Farhan Faraidooni said:

"Sama Dubai is keen to constantly evaluate the quality of its systems through prioritizing procedures related to Corporate Social Responsibility, one of the key guiding principles of the company. We adhere to the directives outlined in the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, which is designed to meet environmental challenges and enforce world class standards of quality and safety. We have established a framework that allows us to consistently identify and control safety risks."

"Sama Dubai opted for the ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 endorsement as the standards are widely acknowledged for environmental, health and safety systems. The certifications stipulate how organisations need to implement effective mechanisms for the welfare of the employees as well as the communities in which they operate. They also indicate our commitment to good environmental practices and proactively implementing strategies, while providing a safe setting for our employees."

Sama Dubai conducted several internal audits and subsequent management reviews on quality management and occupational health and safety standards for The Lagoons and its head office operations to ensure the documented processes and procedures were accurately implemented. Once the system was completed, LRQA visited Sama Dubai's head office and The Lagoons to assess the appropriate implementation of the procedures.

Bassem Obaid, Area Manager, LRQA, said: "Sama Dubai has implemented effective ways to minimize environmental risks and provide a safe workplace. The certifications reflect Sama Dubai's commitment to continued improvement."

Sama Dubai has implemented ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards to ensure it covers specific objectives such as risk assessment for all operations impacting environment, health and safety. Detailed plans with specific key performance indicators (KPIs), as well as documentation of comprehensive processes and procedures and an extensive awareness campaign for employees were drawn up as part of its initiative to obtain the certifications.

Earlier, in 2007, Sama Dubai was awarded ISO 9001 certification, which is largely focused on management systems and processes to meet the needs of internal and external stakeholders.

Formed in 1985, LRQA is part of the Lloyd's Register Group, offering a global service fielding assessors familiar with the local language, culture and business environment. Lloyd's Register Group operates independently of any government or body, to assure absolute commercial impartiality. The world's first classification society, Lloyd's Register has been providing impartial certifications since 1760.