HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) inaugurated the 12th Public Health & Safety Week activities, in the presence of DEWA's Executive Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents, senior managers, and visitors. This supports Dubai's strategic plans to adopt the highest standards of health and safety.

The activities, held at Dubai Festival City Mall from 12 to 16 November, include interactive and innovative workshops; specialised lectures and workshops on electricity and the importance of a healthy lifestyle; workshops for kids and circuit boards; and principles of first aid, as well as competitions, sports and educational games with valuable prizes. DEWA also has a stand for advice on healthy nutrition.

“We are guided by the words of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai who once said, ‘The health of a human being is the most precious thing. Without it there is no life or happiness.’ As a socially-responsible government organisation, DEWA remains fully committed to applying health and safety standards, according to the best global practices, including the Integrated Management Systems Policy which has established a culture of health, safety and environment in all its sectors and operations. DEWA also raises awareness of health and safety in society. This supports the UAE Vision 2021, to make the UAE the best country in the world,” said Al Tayer.

“We are glad at the large turnout at our events. More than 9,700 people attended the Public Health and Safety Week last year. This encouraged us to continue our efforts to enhance health and safety standards among all society members. It also enhanced our international partnerships to keep pace with global updates related to occupational health and safety. This supports the Dubai Plan 2021 to make Dubai a home for educated, cultured and healthy individuals,” added Al Tayer.

“DEWA complies with all legislative requirements related to raising awareness and preventing injuries, diseases and accidents, and we constantly take into consideration the requirements of quality, health, safety and environment in designing, construction, operation and maintenance work; planning, controlling, monitoring, and measuring the performance of quality, health, safety, and environment systems. DEWA further raises the level of awareness amongst all stakeholders by launching relevant programmes, initiatives, directives, guidelines and booklets. DEWA adopts the highest health and safety standards, as part of its efforts to achieve one of the most important UN's Sustainable Development Goals 2030, by contributing to a safe and secure working environment for all workers by 2030. The rate of accidents in DEWA's projects is virtually non-existent,” said Al Tayer.

DEWA has updated its health and safety management system. DEWA has also been certified by the British Safety Council as an occupational health and safety training centre, becoming the first government organisation to have obtained this certification. The British Safety Council awards all trainees with accredited certificates in occupational health, safety and environment.