Middle East Branch
Middle East Branch The IOSH Middle East Branch was launched on 1 June 2006 in Dubai by then IOSH President Neil Budworth, who inaugurated the Branch and recognised the elected Branch Executive Committee.
The Branch was established to assist the integration of local and international safety and health practitioners and to promote best practice across the Middle East Region. We currently have over 275 members, and are growing rapidly!
May I first extend my sincere appreciation to members of the Executive Committee for putting their trust in me to chair their effort for bringing change to the world of occupational safety and health in the Middle East.
We live in an area that is blessed with resources and is progressing - at a great speed - in all economic and industrial sectors. However, countries in the region lack the luxury of well established mechanisms and infrastructure that exist in other parts of the world to ensure that occupational safety and health meets the demands of protecting people, property and the environment.
The tasks ahead are very challenging and we will only be successful if we can harness the energy of all IOSH members in the Middle East to assist in achieving our goals. I have developed outlines for a detailed work programme and look forward to sharing and approving it with the Executive Committee Members. This program will then be circulated to all branch members for their feedback and contribution.
I look forward to serving you all in the best way I can and, most probably, I will meet you personally in the next year.
Ahmed Al Menhali, April 2007
Thank you to all members who attended the Middle East Branch AGM meeting 2008. It was a pleasure to see so many new IOSH members attend for the first time as well as the newly elected and re-elected committee members.
A special thank you must go out to Khalid Al Menhali and his colleagues from the Labour and Social Affairs Ministry who made themselves available to all members for discussions on health and safety issues and of course to our host Mr Al Kindi and all the staff at ADCO who excelled in providing a first class venue with first class facilities.
The guest speakers were all excellent in showing their understanding of the local working conditions, habits and ability to adjust to the region, thank you all for sharing this knowledge and experiences with us.
For those who were unable to attend due to business commitments and personal circumstances, we do understand and we will endeavour to keep you updated with all new events, meetings and concepts well in advance for the future so you can possible comment on or attend.
We will also endeavour to keep you informed of local updates on the website and through the e-communication system The Grange are currently working on.
A number of committee members will be travelling throughout the Middle East during the next twelve months conducting business, we will be advising members in advance of the dates and their availability so should you wish to meet a committee member or wish to have him/her attend as a speaker on behalf of IOSH Middle East branch, please contact middle-east@iosh.co.uk.
2008/2009 will be a year for all members to come together, share experiences and improve awareness within their area and throughout the region. You can make a difference and you do make a difference.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Barnett-Schuster