H.E. Minister of Human Resources and Social Development and Chairman of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, Eng. Ahmed bin Suleiman Al-Rajhi, sponsored the Sixth Saudi Global Conference for Occupational Safety and Health on Sunday morning, May 5, 2024, in Riyadh, which spans until May 7, 2024 and covers five main topics, including sustainability, corporate safety, technological transformation, cultural awareness, and occupational health, in the presence of a number of Their Highnesses and Excellencies, and regional and global specialists and experts under the theme "Scanning the Horizon.
During his speech at the conference opening, H.E. Minister Al-Rajhi emphasized the remarkable progress achieved by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the OSH sector in recent years. He attributed this success to the concerted programs and initiatives started in conjunction with Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at creating a vibrant society and building a diverse and sustainable economy.
Minister Al-Rajhi pointed out that the Kingdom seeks through the national policy of occupational safety and health to strengthen and develop the OSH sector, promote and protect workers in various workplaces at the national level, in line with local regulations and international treaties and agreements, and provide the best global practices commensurate with the labor market.
Minister Al-Rajhi commended the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health for its dedicated efforts and the collaborative contributions of various sectors within the council and the broader OSH system. He highlighted tangible outcomes, including a significant reduction in the Kingdom's work-related injury rate from 416 to 288 injuries per 100,000 workers, marking a 30.7% decrease over recent years. Moreover, the rate of establishments adhering to occupational safety and health standards has risen to 71.27%.
These achievements were bolstered by the enactment of several legislations aimed at raising awareness of occupational safety and health issues, notably through the strategic implementation of the national occupational safety and health program. Key legislative measures include the issuance of administrative regulations pertaining to OSH and the development of a comprehensive national policy in collaboration with the International Labor Organization (ILO) and all stakeholders. This policy, endorsed by the Council of Ministers, ensures its integrity and reliability, with meticulous monitoring and follow-up on implementation.
Eng. Al-Rajhi inaugurated the exhibition accompanying the conference and toured various partner pavilions, sponsors, and participating entities. Among these were the pavilions of the General Organization for Social Insurance and Aramco, the conference's founding partners and organizers. Additionally, He also launched the official website of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, and mentioned the e-training platform OSH, as well as the platform for reporting and investigating work-related accidents, injuries, and occupational diseases.
