The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has identified three sectors targeted by the Occupational Safety and Health Pioneers Award: construction, manufacturing, and commerce. The ministry noted that data and reports from the past three years indicate that these sectors account for the highest percentage of workplace injuries and accidents, Therefore, the award focuses on these sectors to raise awareness among employers and employees about the importance of protecting workers" safety and health, with the aim of helping to reduce workplace injuries and accidents.
The Ministry established several eligibility criteria for companies competing for the award: the establishment must have been operating in the Saudi labor market for the last two consecutive years (2015 and 2016), that the number of employees at the establishment must not be less than 500 during 2016, and that the establishment must not currently be subject to any legal proceedings or investigations. The Ministry noted that the deadline for submissions via email is the end of January of this year [email protected].
The award was launched to establish and promote the principle of occupational safety and health in private-sector establishments, as this is one of the Ministry’s priorities for attracting and retaining the workforce, improving work performance, protecting the safety and health of workers, and preserving property and the environment.
In this context, Dr. Mohammed Al-Faleh, Assistant Undersecretary for Inspection and Workplace Environment Development, emphasized that the selection of the best establishments is based on their occupational safety and health record, followed by an evaluation of the nominated establishments" performance according to international standards and practices.
Facilities participating in the award are evaluated based on five main criteria: occupational safety and health statistics, management’s commitment to occupational safety and health, the strength and quality of the facility’s occupational safety and health system, reporting and communication channels, and guidance and counseling.
Al-Falih explained that the “Safety Pioneers” Award initiative for organizations excelling in occupational safety and health was launched to encourage organizations to pay greater attention to occupational safety and health, and to honor those that excel in this area, in addition to the Ministry’s important role in developing the work environment and its efforts to raise awareness of occupational safety and health, thereby contributing to improved work performance and positively impacting workers’ safety, health, and stability.
