Maintaining a safe and healthy workplace creates immeasurable benefits for any business enterprise. Experts even acknowledge that responsible environment health, and safety (EHS) management makes businesses more productive, efficient and profitable. One of the tangible benefits of improved health and safety performance is a significant reduction in costs related to accidents. Moreover, maintaining a safe and healthy workplace drives the morale and overall performance of employees, who will certainly appreciate the efforts made to uphold their wellbeing.

Imdaad, a leading provider of integrated facilities management solutions in the UAE, has been one of the leading advocates of responsible EHS management. The company points out that EHS is central to its core values of “people, service and making a difference”. As such, Imdaad strictly adopts a ‘zero tolerance’ policy to unsafe and unhealthy workplace conditions and practices. “Imdaad considers environment, health, and safety management as a value and not a cost. We understand that it is a vital component of our business model, while underlining our commitment towards protecting lives, accidents prevention and preserving the environment. Being a leading provider of integrated facilities management services, it is our responsibility to be a role model in promoting EHS management in the workplace. Strict compliance of EHS regulations certainly creates countless benefits and advantages for any business enterprise, from improved work attitude of employees to enhanced productivity and operational efficiency,” said Jamal Abdulla Lootah, CEO, Imdaad.

Providing maintenance services is one of the most important responsibilities of a facilities manager and Imdaad understands that certain hazards are involved when conducting maintenance activities. Such hazards could come in the form of physical hazards, chemical hazards, and biological hazards as well as ergonomic, psychosocial and organisational factors. Some of the health and safety hazards that FM workers may face include, falls from height, cuts and injuries caused by sharp instruments and tools, suffocation from asphyxiant gases released in sewerage systems or from oxygen deficiency, electric traumas, musculoskeletal injury resulting from lifting and moving of heavy loads, and even exposure to parasites.

Employees may also suffer from general ill feeling as a result of work in confined spaces and development of “sick-building syndrome”. To address these evolving workplace-related challenges, Imdaad continues to explore advanced and innovative ways to create a safe and healthy working environment for both office and site-based employees. Imdaad also conducts EHS summer safety awareness campaigns, training sessions, safety alerts and messages, while closely monitoring all activities of its employees. Moreover, the company provides sufficient amount of cool water, clothing, shades, head covers, as well as sufficient breaks that comply with government-mandated regulations, which are particularly important during the hot summer season.

The company routinely conducts site inspections and visits to enforce EHS, which is an equally important step towards cultivating a safe and healthy work environment. Moreover, Imdaad recognises its inherent responsibility to care for the environment and contributes to the sustainable development of the society in general as part of its commitment to responsible EHS management. Imdaad has therefore organised various initiatives such as recycling programmes, which are being actively promoted at its offices and work sites as well as in various communities.

“Imdaad strictly implements EHS regulations that employees need to follow, but we know based on practical experience that up to 95 per cent of accidents are caused by human error. In this regard, we strongly focus on conducting regular training sessions and refreshing courses to ensure that our staff are given sufficient and updated information about EHS standards and regulations, while making them aware of the moral and legal dimensions of EHS management. Imdaad believes that safety is everyone’s responsibility. As such, employees are encouraged to be more responsible with their actions whether they are at work or at home,” concluded Lootah.