Workplace Safety: What we can learn from different countries.

Olakunle Folarin (IDipNEBOSH) CRSP (Micheal Olakunle) recently joined us as a Safety Intern for four months. He has over seven years of experience developing, implementing, and coordinating safety policies across various industries. He is currently completing his Postgraduate Degree in Occupational Health and Safety. Originally from Nigeria, he has also worked in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

We found it interesting that he has played this role in two different countries, so we were curious and asked him what makes us different and how we are similar. Here’s what Micheal shared with us:

Interviewer: Micheal, you’ve worked in safety roles across multiple industries in the UAE, including firefighting, construction, facility management, and oil & gas. How did this diverse experience shape your passion for the field?

Micheal: My previous experience in the UAE was great. I had the opportunity to work across various industries, which gave me a solid background in the field and explains my deep passion for occupational health and safety. The desire to pursue my academic education in this field stemmed from the opportunities I had while working in the UAE. However, given the size and climatic differences between the two countries, I have identified key similarities and differences in their safety approaches.

Interviewer: Let’s start with what both countries have in common when it comes to workplace safety. What stands out to you?

Micheal: The similarities between the two countries are quite significant in terms of commitment to safety. Both countries prioritize worker safety and have laws and regulations in place to protect employees. For example, workers in both Canada and the UAE have the right to:

• Know about workplace hazards.
• Refuse work if it is not as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).
• Participate in health and safety meetings and training to help identify hazards.

The similarities extend further to international standards, as both countries follow guidelines from organizations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Additionally, each country requires employers to conduct risk assessments and implement control measures to mitigate hazards.

Interviewer: That’s interesting! But there must also be some key differences in how health and safety are managed in each country. Can you tell us more about that?

Micheal: Absolutely. There are some major differences in how regulations are structured and applied in the UAE versus Canada. Here are a couple of key distinctions:

Micheal: In the UAE, occupational health and safety is managed through a centralized regulatory framework set by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (MOHRE). This body is responsible for enforcing labor laws across the country.

In contrast, Canada has a decentralized framework. Each province, territory, and jurisdiction has its own Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations and laws. I believe this is largely due to the geographical size of Canada compared to the UAE, which makes centralized regulation more challenging.

Interviewer: That makes sense—Canada’s size definitely plays a role in how policies are implemented. Beyond the legal framework, do climate differences impact workplace safety policies?

Micheal: Yes, climate plays a big role in workplace safety. In the UAE, heat stress management is a significant concern, given the country’s extreme heat and humidity. Specific regulations and guidelines are in place to manage this issue and protect workers.

In Canada, the focus shifts towards extreme cold weather conditions and their impact on employees. There are also specific safety measures for handling stormwater and heavy snowfall. While both countries address climate-related risks, the emphasis differs based on their respective environmental challenges.

Interviewer: That’s an important consideration. It sounds like another major difference is worker participation in safety initiatives. Can you elaborate on that?

Micheal: Definitely. In the UAE, worker participation in health and safety is encouraged, but in Canada, it is mandatory. Canada has strong laws and regulations that support worker involvement, including the requirement for Joint Health and Safety Committees (JOHSC) and worker representatives.

Interviewer: That’s a crucial distinction. It seems like both countries are highly committed to worker safety, but the way they implement regulations varies significantly. Thank you, Micheal, for sharing your insights. It’s always valuable to learn from different perspectives!

Micheal: Thank you! I’m happy to share my experience and learn from this opportunity as well.