Contractor Health and Safety is an essential component of industry operations and a key responsibility for those managing and performing routine work or projects, it is an important determinant of overall Project success or failure. The majority of industries believe that effective Contractor Safety programs enhances work and projects management because it assists Contractors to systematically identify and evaluate anticipated hazards and establishes controls in advance of actual work. They also play a significant role in the economic growth and infrastructure development of nations and especially in the GCC states.
Countries and major companies are now becoming more reliant on Contractors because they are assigned to perform mega multibillion dollar projects which come with major Health and Safety challenges. In the GGC region we continue to witness the investments in mega projects both in the oil and the non-oil sectors. Now in a low oil price environment, it has become even more significant to have more effective controls on risk whilst managing more cost effective projects. In the oil sector alone multi-billion dollars investment programs are being progressed that are aimed at revamping existing facilities or the construction of new plants including refineries, petrochemicals and terminals. Even with the low oil price environment, shutdowns, development projects and expansions are taking place as many believe this is a temporary economic state. In any case human life costs the same regardless of the price of oil!
To succeed with the construction of these facilities and to deliver to customers’ expectations, contractors are required to work hand-in-hand with client companies. Major international contractors had no option but to deal with the Health and Safety challenges by developing and implementing very robust Health and Safety Systems that are in line with client companies’ stringent systems and programmes. Both the Client and the Contracting Companies had to establish governance and oversight that enables them to conduct their business in an injury and incident work environment. Many contractors in recent years have performed extremely well and were able to achieve remarkable safety records in terms of reducing personnel injuries and illnesses.
Contractors work in an even more competitive market and the client generally has the luxury of selecting the best contractors available with cost in mind, so contractors are required to do more with less especially in the area of Health and Safety, they are required to prove to their clients that they are the best in their group through their Wellbeing, Health and Safety performance in addition to their reputation.
Contractor Health and Safety Management is an element of Process Safety Management System and it emphasis the importance of the Leadership commitment of organizations if they are to create Positive Safety culture and achieve excellence. If applied correctly Contractor Safety Management can improve moral, reduce projects downtime and create safe and healthy work environment. That is why managing contractors from the prequalification stage until the post contract and a project delivery phase is important.
The objective of this forum is to help organizations understand the importance of Contractor Health and Safety Management and the manner it directly contributes to companies’ productivity and business continuity. The forum is designed and aimed at bringing experts from the region and other parts of the world to share their experience and way it is they Manage, align Contractors and Monitor Health and Safety Performance. The event is an opportunity to meet H&S; experts that has been actively involved in the development and establishment of Contractors Safety programs. Some of them worked and were engaged with contractors and clients which enable them to express their expert views from both sides.
