NEWSLETTER

www.adehsms.ae ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH & SAFETY 1ST QUARTER: JANUARY-MARCH 2011

MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

Abu Dhabi Environment, Health and Safety Management System (AD EHSMS) Regulatory Framework is an Abu Dhabi Government Initiative that was developed to control impacts resulting from workplaces and to ensure safe and healthy conditions for all workers in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi EHS Center oversees the implementation of AD EHSMS by government entities and private sector entities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Effective implementation of EHSMS ensure workplace risks are managed, reduce occupational injuries, minimize pollution incidents, control exposure to hazards, and increase training and competency level of workers.

CONTENTS
Statement of the Chairman of the EHS Higher Committee News and Events

1 2 8 10 12 14

Latest Developments in the Implementation of AD EHSMS Updating and Improving the AD EHSMS Regulatory Framework Success Stories

Calendar of Upcoming Events

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ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH & SAFETY

STATEMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EHS HIGHER COMMITTEE

The first issue of the newsletter for 2011 coincides with the launch of the second phase of the Awareness Campaign on the Abu Dhabi Environment, Health and Safety Management System (AD EHSMS). The concept of the campaign clearly reflects the positive impacts of the EHSMS implementation at the workplace and the difference the system makes, which is a result that will be ensured by effective implementation of the system. We hope that this campaign will draw the attention to the importance of taking the necessary procedures at the workplace to protect the health and safety of workers by minimizing hazards and the negative impacts resulting from their activities. We also hope that this campaign will contribute to our ultimate objective which is the cultural change that results from raising awareness on health and safety issues at the workplace and its long term impacts on all members of the society. In this issue, we highlight the news and events of the Center and the Sectors, implementation activities, in addition to the amendments and improvements of the Abu Dhabi EHSMS Regulatory Framework and other relevant issues. Majid Al Mansouri Chairman of the EHS Higher Committee

NEWS AND EVENTS Abu Dhabi EHS Center News and Events
26 January 2011 Workshop on Updates and Implementation Activities
The Abu Dhabi EHS Center held the first Sector Workshop for 2011 with 35 representatives from 9 Sectors which currently include Industry, Energy, Transport, Building and Construction, Tourism, Health, Waste, Education, and Food Sector. The objective of the workshop was to follow up the progress in EHSMS implementation at an Emirate level, and to present achievements and challenges faced by different sectors, in addition to presenting the activities of the Center. The workshop emphasized the importance of initiating implementation of EHSMS by entities through submission of their management systems for review and approval, and the submission of sectors performance reports to the Center on a quarterly basis.

27 January 2011 First Meeting of Abu Dhabi International EHS Conference Team
In order to organize an international conference on environment, health and safety issues, as the first of its kind in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which will contribute to achieving the objectives of the AD EHSMS, the Abu Dhabi EHS Center organized the first meeting of the team responsible for preparing for the conference. During the coming period, the team will work on all the requirements for holding the meeting, identifying its objectives and main themes and the technical criteria for papers that will be presented during the conference. The conference is expected to be held during the last quarter of 2011.

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24, 27 , 28 February 2011 Workshops for Government Entities

The Abu Dhabi EHS Center held a series of workshops for government entities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to follow up progress in EHS management, system development and implementation. Around 70 representatives from 36 government entities participated in the workshops that aimed at monitoring progress made during the last three months and discussing challenges faced. Following the Circular issued by H.E. The Secretary General of the Executive Council in October 2010, concerning implementation of the Abu Dhabi Environment, Health and Safety Management System (AD EHSMS), government entities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi are working on developing their EHS management systems in accordance with its requirements. During the workshop, the Center presented an overview of the Abu Dhabi EHSMS and its minimum requirements, in addition to highlighting the activities that are underway.

15-16 March 2011 IOSH Conference: Rise into the Challenge

Representatives from the Abu Dhabi EHS Center attended the IOSH 2011 conference which was held for two days in London, UK. During the conference, presentations were given by eminent persons with health and safety expertise. The conference also had an international feel, with representatives from many other international regulators and safety bodies including the American Society for Safety Engineers (ASSE) and the Canadian Society for Safety Engineers (CSSE). Further to attending the conference, the AD EHS Center also met with senior representatives from the UK Health and Safety Executive to discuss the future plans of the Center and how to benefit from the experience of the HSE in the development of regulation and intervention programs. This proposal was warmly accepted from the HSE and it is expected that meetings will be held in the near future to develop this proposal further.

2nd March 2011 Meeting of Abu Dhabi EHS Award Team

In order to establish a world renowned award in the field of environment, health and safety management, the Center held the first meeting for the team responsible for developing this award, which includes representatives from different sectors and the Supreme Petroleum Council. This team was established as per the recommendations of the EHS Higher Committee, following the decree issued by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council in 2009 regarding development of the Abu Dhabi EHS Award. The team will be setting the objectives of the Award, its categories, its targets, the criteria for nomination, and the criteria for the choosing the panel of judges.

The announcement of the award is expected before the end of this year as an incentive for all government and private sector entities for effective implementation of the system, minimization of hazards, and continual improvement.

SECTORS NEWS AND EVENTS Industrial Sector

The Sector Regulatory Authority (SRA) for the industrial Sector (Higher Corporation for Specialized Economic Zones) held a series of specialized seminars from January to March 2011, with specific focus on the approach to comply with the key requirements of the industrial sector codes of practice. The seminars were as follows:

31 January 2011
Title: Emergency Response & Crisis Management No. of Participants: 83 persons from 61 industries The objectives of the seminar were to explain the requirements for establishing the Emergency Response Plan (ERP), basic concepts, legal obligations, significance of ERP, Importance of EHS Risk Assesment, and Crisis Management.

13 March 2011 Workshop on AD EHSM Forms and KPIs

In order to update the forms under the AD EHSMS in accordance with the sectors requirements and the discuss the Key Performance Indicators under the AD EHSMS, the Abu Dhabi EHS Center held a workshop attended by 35 representatives from different sectors. Following the workshop, the updated forms were sent to all sectors and government entities, with approved systems to start the submission of quarterly reports before the end of April 2011.

17 January 2011
Title: EHS Incident Reporting and Investigation No. of Participants: 87 persons from 70 industries The objecitves of the seminar were to explain the expectations of Industrial Sector SRA for establishing the EHS Incident Reporting and Investigation System, basic concepts, significance of incident reporting, legal obligations, and benefits of Incident Reporting & Investigation.

14 Feb 2011
Title:Occupational Health Surveillance and Monitoring No. of Participants: 100 persons from 87 industries The objectives of the seminar were to explain the process for establishing an Occupational Health Surveillance and Monitoring Program, basic concepts, legal obligations, methods for controlling workplace exposure, and monitoring requirements.

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16 March 2011
Title: Mechanical Integrity No. of Participants: 86 persons from 59 industries The objectives of the seminar were to explain the process for establishing the Mechanical Integrity (MI) Management Program including Overview, Basic Concepts, Benefits, Training and Competency, Legal and Regulatory Requirements applicable to Inspection, Test and Maintenence of Plants, and Equipment and Machinery.

25 January 2011
No. of Participants: 390 persons from contactors and consultants

23 Feb 2011
No. of Participants: 262 persons from contractors and consultants

28-30 March 2011

No. of Participants: 260 persons from contactors and consultants

Health Sector
17 March 2011
The SRA for the Health Sector (Health AuthorityAbu Dhabi) held its 2nd Information Session for Nominated Healthcare Providers under the title: Registration, Monitoring and Reporting Requirements and System, with 47 participants from various hospitals. The objective of the workshop was to introduce the Health Sector EHSMS Registration, Monitoring and Reporting Requirements and Information System, and understand the purpose, structure and functionality of the Health Sector EHSMS E-System, in addition to presenting an overview of the mandatory reportable KPIs as per HAAD Health Sector EHSMS reporting requirements.

Building and Construction Sector

Abu Dhabi Municipality, and as part of the activities of the Sector Regulatory Authority (SRA) for the Building and Construction Sector (Department of Municipal Affairs- DMA), held a series of workshops under the title Requirements for Implementation of Environment, Health and Safety Management System in Building and Construction Sector . The objectives of the workshops were to explain the minimum requirements for development of EHSMS and educate entities on the process of development and implementation of EHSMS, in addition to increasing awareness on hazards on construction sites.

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Tourism Sector
The Sector Regulatory Authority for the Tourism Sector (Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority) held a series of workshops between January and March 2011 on EHSMS and the Green Hotels Initiative.

30th Jan, 24th Feb, 27th March 2011

Title: Green Hotels No. of Participants: 125 from different hotels in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi These workshops are part of the Green Hotels Program and the Tourism Sector EHSMS, which have set reduction targets for Abu Dhabi hotels in energy, water and waste. The Green Hotels Workshops were conducted to provide continuous support for the hotels on their mission to reach those targets and become some of the greenest hotels in the world. The objective of the workshop was mainly to introduce ADTAs Green Hotel Initiative and mandatory requirements to the hotel operators and managers, provide training for hotel operators on data collection, submission methods and techniques, and to promote accuracy and reliability in the data collection process, as well as increase awareness on Sustainability and Environmental Concepts.

17th 18th January 2011

Title: EHSMS Basic Auditor No. of Participants: 32 persons from hotels and hotel apartments The objective of the workshop was to provide basic training on how to audit an entity based EHSMS.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AD EHSMS Sectors

The Sector Regulatory Authorities responsible for implementing the EHSMS in different sectors have completed, in the first stage, registration of 450 entities for the development and implementation of the system. Entities within these sectors include industrial facilities, waste management service providers, hospitals, consultants and contractors, water and electricity generation companies, hotels and hotel apartments, and transport companies (land, aviation and marine). Sectors will also notify additional entities to register with them before the end of 2011 for development and implementation of the EHSMS. During 2011, work will commence for the development of the Education Sector EHSMS (schools, colleges, universities and institutes) and Food Sector EHSMS (restaurants, meat and fish retails, bakeries, food processing, catering, and food transportation). These two sectors were added recently to the list of sectors.

17 March 2011
Title: Introduction to EHSMS No. of Participants: 30 persons from hotels and hotel apartments The objective of the workshop was to provide hotels, hotel apartments and other tourism operators with an introduction on the Emirate of Abu Dhabis EHSMS regulations, and outline the regulatory requirements of the Tourism Sector EHSMS.

List of EHSMS Sectors and their Entities

Abu Dhabi EHS Center Sectors
Industry Energy
Construction

Building &

Tourism

Health

Transport

Waste

Education

Food

ZonesCorp

Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority

Department of Municipal Affairs

Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority

Health Center Department of Authority-Abu for Waste Transport Dhabi Management

Abu Dhabi Education Council

Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority

Entities
Restaurants Power Generation Manufacturing Plants, Industrial Desalination Facilities Plants and Distribution Companies Hotels Contractors and Consultants Hotel Apartments Tourism Activities Hospitals Clinics Pharmacies Medical Labs Companies working in Land Transport Marine Transport Aviation Schools Waste Facilities Universities Colleges Institutes Food Retail Bakeries Food Stores Food Producers and Manufacturers

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10

Government Entities
Currently, the AD EHS Center coordinates with 48 government and semi-government entities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to implement the AD EHSMS. By the end of March 2011, EHS management systems of 24 government entities were approved by the Center in accordance with the minimum requirements of the AD EHSMS. Coordination is ongoing with other government entities to complete development of their system before the end of this year. At the same time - and for the purpose of supporting these entities - the Center has conducted as series of visits and meetings, as well as workshops, to monitor the progress in EHSMS development and implementation. The Center, in coordination with the General Secretariat of the Executive Council, included a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) within the Performance Contract 2011, which was signed between government entities and the General Secretariat to measure performance of EHSMS implementation. The KPIs is as follows : % Compliance with EHSMS Reporting Requirements, and includes three main elements: % achievement in system approval by AD EHS Center % achievement in submitting performance reports to the Center, and this includes several EHSMS KPIs % achievement in reporting third party annual audit reports results

UPDATING AND IMPROVING EHSMS FOR THE EMIRATE OF ABU DHABI

The Abu Dhabi EHS Center - in cooperation and consultation with all concerned sectors in the Emirate - developed a plan to update the Abu Dhabi Environment, Health and Safety Management System Regulatory Framework, which was approved in July 2009. This process is part of the periodic review and continual improvement for the system in order to ensure that the system is aligned with new developments. The update at this stage is very important since all sectors completed their system development and started the implementation process. The plan for updating the system depended on the following: Documents under the new version will include: 1. Emirate of Abu Dhabi EHS Policy 2. AD EHSMS Decree 3. AD EHSMS Manual 4. AD EHSMS Elements 5. Regulatory Instruments, which include: Mechanisms Codes of Practice Standards 6. Guidance Documents 7. Technical Guidelines

Development and Implementation of EHSMS by Government Entities

Requirements of international EHS Standards Legal requirements at an Emirate and Federal level Legal and regulatory requirements implemented by different sectors Provision of unified requirements for entities that fall under more than one sector

25 20 15 10 5 0
Entities with approved systems

24 7
Entities with systems under amendment

Updated AD EHSMS Regulatory Framework Documents

17
Entities being followed up

Mandatory

AD EHSMS RF

Section 1: Policy, Decree, Manual Section 2: Elements

Mandatory

EHS Regulatory Instruments

Standards & Trigger Values

Codes of Practice

Mechanisms

Guidance

Guidelines

Technical Guidelines

AD EHSMS Guidance Documents

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AD EHSMS Regulatory Framework Elements

The Elements of the AD EHSMS Regulatory Framework aim to ensure a systematic approach to dealing with all relevant issues, and include the following:

Element 1 - Roles, Responsibilities and Self Regulation

Aims to define roles and responsibilities for implementing the system at an Emirate level, Sector level and entity level, and for employers, employees and the general community. It also highlights the importance of the concept of self regulation in ensuring commitment to AD EHSMS requirements, EHS legislations and self monitoring.

and visitors receive the appropriate EHS training. It also aims to ensure that competencies are identified, assessed and monitored so that tasks can be performed in a safe manner by all employees and contractors.

SUCCESS STORIES Inspection in the Industrial Sector is an Effective Activity for Improvement
The Sector Regulatory Authority for the Industrial Sector (ZonesCorp) has undertaken a program of EHS Inspections of industrial entities to check for compliance against AD EHSMS requirements, raise EHS performance and develop the EHS culture across the Industrial Sector within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. In 2010, a total of 474 EHS inspections including follow-up inspections were carried out for the operating industries in different locations at an Emirate level. A comprehensive inspection regime was developed including procedures, checklists and the reports template covering the workplace EHS management aspects systematically. During inspection, the SRA EHS team observed all aspects of an entitys EHS performance including administrative and engineering controls, operational activities, record keeping, implementation of procedures and controls, safe work practices, waste management, training, awareness and competency program, storage practices, and monitoring and reporting. The inspection reports document all observations, describe any actions for improvement and, where necessary, identify any legal non-compliance. The inspection reports findings, action items the discussions made with entitys concerned representatives, and the follow up inspections provide the entity with the opportunity to understand EHS issues, implement improvements to solve any issues, ensure EHS regulatory compliance, and enhance EHS performance.

Element 6 - Emergency Response and Management

Aims to ensure emergency management, planning and response, and to facilitate harmonization of relevant Competent Authority(s) requirements and provide a clear hierarchy of control in the event of significant emergencies.

Element 2 - Risk Management

Aims to ensure that EHS risks and hazards are identified, assessed and appropriate control measures are implemented, as well as to prescribe standard methodologies in which the risk management process shall be conducted and compliance can be assessed against this standard.

Element 7 - Monitoring, Investigation and Reporting

Aims to ensure that EHS monitoring, investigation and reporting is conducted in an accurate and timely manner. It also aims to ensure informative data on incidents, injuries, occupational illnesses and environmental aspects is collected and analyzed, as well as ensure effective investigation is conducted, identifying root causes, and appropriate corrective action are implemented.

Element 3 - Management of Contractors

Aims to ensure that risks to health and safety of contractors, employees, the community and the environment are minimized, and provide specific requirements for the Building and Construction Sector for the management of EHS aspects of contractors engaged in construction work.

Before Inspection

After Inspection

Element 8 - Audit and Inspection

Aims to ensure EHS internal audits and inspections are conducted are conducted, and that EHS non-conformances are identified and an appropriate corrective action plan is implemented as early as possible.

Element 4 - Communication and Consultation

Aims to ensure consultation, communication and awareness are conducted in an effective manner in any organization.

Element 5 - Training and Competency

Aims to ensure that EHS training needs are identified, and that actual training is implemented and monitored so that all employees, contactors

Element 9 - Compliance and Management Review

Aims to define system compliance requirements, ensure a systematic approach to the review of the entitys EHSMS, and provide a summary of the AD EHSMS Regulatory Frameworks minimum requirements.

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14

Green Hotels - A Concept Embedded within EHSMS

The Sector Regulatory Authority for the Tourism Sector (Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority) has developed a sector wide Environment, Health & Safety Management System (EHSMS) for the Abu Dhabi Tourism Sector. This System has been developed in accordance with the AD EHSMS requirements. The Tourism Sector EHSMS covers all Tourism Sector entities including all hotels, hotel apartments, eco-resorts and other tourism related entities. The SRA has launched an Abu Dhabi Green Hotels Program which forms an integral part of the Tourism Sector EHSMS. As part of this program, the Tourism Sector has made a commitment to reduce energy and water consumption and waste-to-landfill in all new hotels and hotel apartment establishments in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. To aid the achievement of this goal, a Green Building IT System Portal was established and a regulatory structure developed which largely focuses on education and trainings and promote voluntary compliance by the entities. All events regarding EHSMS led by ADTA received best response from the entities.

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

April 2011
10 Abu Dhabi EHS Center Presentation on Safety Procedures

May 2011
4 Abu Dhabi EHS Center Lead Sponsor to IOSH Conference 4-5 Tourism Sector Workshop on Auditor Training

June 2011
Health Sector 3rd Information Session for Nominated Healthcare Providers

11 Tourism Sector

14-15 Tourism Sector Workshop on Auditor Training

Promote Voluntary Comliance

Monitor Enforce

Workshop: Introduction to AD EHSMS 27 Building and Construction Sector Workshop on EHSMS Requirements and Unsafe Electrical Equipment and Connections 27- 28 Tourism Sector Workshop on Hw to Develop Entity Based EHSMS: Basic EHSMS

11 -12 Tourism Sector Workshop on How to Develop Entity Based EHSMS: Basic EHSMS 25 Building and Construction Workshop on EHSMS Requirements and Unsafe Lifting Operations 18 Abu Dhabi EHS Center

22 Building and Construction Workshop on EHSMS Requirements and Unsafe Excavation 22 Tourism Sector Workshop on Green Hotels

Education & Awareness

Audit & Inspection

Penalties/ Prosecution

Safety Tip
A safety helmet is a hard hat used in workplace environments, such as construction sites, to protect the head from injury by falling objects, impact with other objects, debris, bad weather and electric shocks. Safety helmets are made from durable materials, mostly commonly rigid plastic. Safety helmets have a use by date or a working life. A 3 year replacement date has been adopted by international standards, and each helmet, when manufactured, has the year and month of manufacture stamped on the inside of the shell near the peak for easy reading. Industrial Sector EHS Awareness Material Campaign

Second Sector Workshop 14-19 Participation of the Center in AIHCE 2011 Conference-Portland, USA

Abu Dhabi EHS Center Goverment Entities Workshops

Abu Dhabi EHS Center Audit Visits to Sectors

Industrial Sector Seminar on Projects EHS Management

Industrial Sector Seminar on Heat Stress