ENOC hosts 4th Occupational Health Conference

Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) organised the 4th annual Occupational Health Conference recently at the Al Murooj Rotana Hotel in Dubai. The event brought together experts on different aspects of occupational health and safety to brainstorm and exchange ideas on best practices in promoting safety and good health across the workplace. 

“ENOC’s annual Occupational Health Conference is a strong testament to our commitment to promote best practices in occupational healthcare and work towards a safe work environment for all employees,” said Saif Al Falasi, ENOC’s Executive Director for Environment, Health, Safety and Quality (EHSQ) and Corporate Affairs. “Today, occupational health is one of the primary considerations of organisations and we are taking the lead in bringing together experts from diverse industries to discuss its various aspects. Through the workshop, we aim to further strengthen employee welfare and boost workplace productivity.” 

Specialists and experts from various industries discussed the health challenges and hazards at the workplace and explored solutions to resolve them. On first day, Waddah Ghanem, ENOC’s Group EHSQ Compliance Director, discussed occupational health as “The weak element of Health Safety and Environmental Management Systems,” followed by Dr. Ali Rasheed, Medical Officer at Al Noor Hospital, EMAL, who discussed “Pot Room Asthma.” 

Professor Ignatius Yu, Head of the Division of Occupational & Environmental Health at the Chinese University of Hong Kong talked about “Exposure Response Relationship Between Cooking Fumes Exposure and Lung Cancer Risk,” while Professor Tar Ching Aw, Dean at the UAEU College of Medicine & Health Sciences, discussed “Perspectives on Occupational Cancer.”

Nasser Ali, ENOC’s Industrial Hygienist, shared views on how to manage heat stress. Dr. Nadia Bastaki, the Head of Aviation Medicine Department at Etihad Airways, highlighted the importance of drug and alcohol screening in the workplace. Sheila Douthwright from the Environment Health & Safety Department of Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, put the spotlight on meeting the needs of EHSMS/HAAD legislation. 

Topics discussed on the second day of the conference, November 19, included, “Crypogenic Stroke in Cabin Crews,” by Dr. John Chalkley from Emirates Airline while Dr. Mark Newson Smith, ENOC’s Chief Medical Compliance Officer, spoke about “Occupational and Environmental Health Hazards from Products of Pyrolysis.” 

The conference is a target-audience focused professional development event. Accredited by the Ministry of Health, ENOC’s annual OH conference brings together more than 80 invited practitioners and speakers. 

ENOC regularly undertakes occupational health, safety, environmental and quality compliance workshops, and is at the forefront in promoting best practices in the industry. An in-house occupational clinic for staff members functions at ENOC to strengthen its healthcare services.