Emirates Driving Institute (EDI), the Middle East’s leading driver training facility has become the first to be awarded the prestigious OHSAS 18001 certification in the region. Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Specification (OHSAS) is an international standard of stringent guidelines related to health and safety management systems that are laid down to help organizations control operational risks and improve performance.
“This is a huge achievement,” said Amer Ahmed Belhasa, managing director, Emirates Driving Institute, commenting on the achievement. “It is a recognition that demonstrates our commitment to employees, clients and stakeholders.”
To achieve OHSAS 18001 standards, EDI had to undergo a rigorous assessment process where a team of assessors visited EDI centers to check for adherence to OHSAS 18001 standards. During the visits, the assessors inspected training records, health and safety objectives and targets, and vehicle and equipment servicing records.
Adherence to OHSAS standards has helped EDI to inculcate a corporate culture of efficiency and safety amongst its trainers and students. With OHSAS certification in place, EDI now has increased control over occupational hazards. It also has an increased ability to reduce risks through the setting appropriate objectives, targets and through devolved responsibility.
“Our existing policies and procedures were already of a high standard,” revealed Amer Ahmed Belhasa, “but we pushed even harder to achieve the OHSAS 18001 certification. Now that we have the systems in place, we intend to ensure that we continue to build upon them in future,” he said.
Amer Ahmed Belhasa feels the OHSAS accreditation proves how much importance EDI places on the welfare and safety of its staff. “It clearly shows how seriously we, as a company, take our responsibility of making UAE roads safer”, he concluded.
About Emirates Driving Institute:
EDI is one of the biggest driving institutes in the world with and winner of Dubai Quality Award. It has over 600 vehicles and has trained over 200,000 students and helped them obtain driving licenses. EDI has been a stickler for quality, right from its inception in June 1991 – a fact reflected in the numerous awards and certifications that have came its way. EDI is also the first driving institute in the world to get an ISO certification. In addition, EDI has received a certificate of appreciation from the Bureau Veritas Quality International and accreditation from the Institute of Advanced Motorists, UK. The company which previously won the Dubai Quality in Professional Sector Award is also an approved Assessment Centre of the International Association for Driver Education.
