FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE EMIRATE OF SHARJAH HISTORY, AN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATORY FRAMEWORK IS LAUNCHED (THE OSHJ SYSTEM)

Date Posted:Thu, 29th Sep 2022

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE EMIRATE OF SHARJAH HISTORY, AN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATORY FRAMEWORK IS LAUNCHED (THE OSHJ SYSTEM)

Sharjah Safety and Prevention Authority (SPSA) has launched the new Occupational Safety and Health Sharjah (OSHJ) Statutory Framework.

 

All entities operating in and not just registered within Sharjah must comply with the new system. There are no carve outs and compliance is mandatory for all entities; Government, Semi-Government, Freezone and Private alike.

The OSHJ system is supported by an accompanying new decree  - Sharjah Executive Council Resolution Number 15 of 2021 - and seeks to provide companies with straightforward and practical guidance to help manage their Occupational Safety and Health risks and responsibilities. The Codes of Practice and Guidelines were designed with international best practice in mind and look to assist in the creation of safe working environments in all industries.

Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority (SPSA) are releasing a full and comprehensive awareness programme which explains how to work in compliance with the system. The first step is registration in their portal.

Caroline Savage of Corporate OHS, the Occupational Health and Safety consultancy company that worked alongside SPSA to develop OSHJ said “The new resolution and accompanying OSHJ system prove Sharjahs commitment to protecting the wellfare of all employees and citizens. The OSHJ system has been specifically designed not to be weighty, complex or prescriptive. Therefore any new company looking to set up in Sharjah, or any existing Sharjah based entity, has nothing to fear from it. In fact, it can only work to their advantage and provide them with welcome peace of mind knowing that the Emirate is working so hard to help safeguard their business activities”

Compliance levels will be based upon the risk in the business. Many companies will be able to manage their own safety after careful consideration of the Codes of Practice and Guidelines. But, as with any new or changed regulatory framework, some companies may find it useful to seek external health and safety consultancy support to ensure that their processes are correctly developed and implemented. In particular international companies whose group or existing systems may need alignment to regional differentials.

About Corporate OHS

Corporate OHS is a well experienced, UAE-based, health and safety solution provider you can trust to  safeguard your company, staff and assets.

Providing expert guidance to organizations looking to create safer workplaces, meet statutory health and safey compliance and effectively, efficiently and economically control their business risk.

Work is conducted via highly qualified and experienced health and safety Consultants, with significant international exposure and in-depth local market knowledge, implementing robust easy to manage safety solutions aligned to a company’s activities.

The multitude of case studies show successful project delivery including; development, implementation and improvement of health and safety management systems including ISO 45001 and locally compliant system such as OSHAD or OSHJ. Long term senior HSE staff secondments and monthly support retainers, the undertaking of risk assessments and implementation of effective control strategies, HSE legal compliance reviews and Risk Registers.

 

For more information please contact Caroline Savage on: Caroline.Savage@corporateohs.com