UAE Energy Minister to open OPITO Safety and Competency Conference in Abu Dhabi

Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, the Minister of Energy for the United Arad Emirates, will open the OPITO Safety and Competency Conference – OSCC 2014 – at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Hotel, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Tuesday 4 November 2014.

This year’s event will be the fifth annual gathering of oil and gas operators, contractors and the supply chain together with training organisations to examine how to improve standards of safety and competency that protect the workforce and the industry’s reputation.

The Energy Minister will join former army officer and commentator on conflicts – Bob Stewart, inspirational mountaineer – Karen Darke and globally recognised motivational speaker – Peter Cohen as keynote speakers in discussing this year’s theme of ‘Leading from the front-line’. The event will be chaired by Gordon Ballard, chairman of OPITO and Schlumberger UK Limited.

In accepting the invitation to open the event, Al Mazrouei said: “The safety of those working in the energy industry is an absolute priory and it is vital that we continue to discuss how we continually improve the standards of safety and competence. OPITO have provided the industry and all stakeholders with a highly valuable platform and we are delighted they continue to run this event in the UAE. I urge as many people from the industry in our region to attend and demonstrate their commitment to the safety of their workers.”

OSCC 2014 will explore the dynamic of effective leadership and change management on human behaviours in relation to safety.

OPITO, as leaders in the safety revolution and proponents of change, will outline how the industry can support a safer and more competent workforce, from the North Sea to Oman, Iraq, Malaysia and beyond.

David Doig, group chief executive of OPITO, said: “This year’s conference will provide delegates with valuable lessons on the impact effective leadership and change management can have on workplace safety.

“As the conference reaches its fifth year it is encouraging to see support continuing to grow as we examine ways we can further improve safety worldwide. Previous conferences have been very successful in stimulating debate and we expect this year’s OSCC to provide further thought and discussion as well as influential networking opportunities.”

Shell is the headline sponsor of the event which is also supported by IHRDC, Maggie Braid Associates, Petrofac. SEFtec Group, Atlas and Gulf Technical & Safety Training Centre.

Upwards of 400 delegates from around the world are expected to attend the event.