Continuous Developments to Reduce Losses and Boost Production Efficiency
Participants at the 13th International Conference on Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment and Loss Prevention 2026, which opened yesterday and concluded today, agreed on the necessity of keeping pace with the latest global developments in safety, health, and the environment. They emphasized that continuous advancements are being pursued by all institutions and companies to reduce risks and losses and to enhance growth and success mechanisms, particularly in light of global acceleration and artificial intelligence technology.
Badr Al-Hadrami, Vice President of the 13th International Conference on Safety, Health, and Environment and Loss Prevention 2026, stated that the conference concluded its sessions by discussing how to utilize advanced digital technologies and artificial intelligence in occupational safety, thereby fostering the creation of new market tools that protect workers and significantly reduce accidents. He noted that the recommendations were linked to the papers presented during the two-day conference, which featured 100 speakers and specialists. Consequently, the papers will be summarized to extract key recommendations for providing solutions to relevant entities.
In a press statement, Al-Hadrami added that adopting artificial intelligence requires everyone to accept this development to facilitate faster task completion. He highlighted that the conference attracted over 300 interested participants and featured 60 workshops, including 13 technical sessions presenting the latest solutions.
Al-Hadrami said, “We distinguished this 13th edition by evaluating and recognizing companies committed to safety standards, according to rules for safety and excellence certification. More than 80 companies participated in this initiative and received awards distributed across four categories: platinum, bronze, gold, and silver, based on their level of compliance with the standards.”
For his part, Executive Director and Board Member of Al-Ittihad Commercial Company, Muath Al-Marzouqi, said, “The session discussed Human Resources (HR), diversity among employees in terms of age, gender, and culture, and how leaders manage this diversity from a safety perspective.” He added that the session addressed numerous points regarding handling situations in human resources and providing solutions for daily employee interactions. It included attendees and participants from banks, telecommunications companies, and academics.
Al-Marzouqi noted that the conference discussed environmental, health, and safety issues in a technical and specialized manner, emphasizing that the market requires development and monitoring of global updates. He stressed the need for continuous self-improvement, noting that technology has made equipment less costly. He pointed out challenges facing the market, such as reducing staff due to daily expenses, with companies attempting to cut costs and use technology to compensate. Rising prices and logistical operations have affected the market, leading to higher prices and lower sales. This reduces profits, pushing some companies to losses, while others try to control the situation by managing expenses. He advised all those working in the Gulf market amid these challenges to strive to withstand difficulties, avoid reducing staff numbers, and focus on covering expenses and developing sales processes. He concluded that opportunities always exist, even during crises and disasters, offering second chances and diversification in the field.
Meanwhile, Operations Manager at Gulf Drilling and Maintenance Company, Saud Al-Shammari, stated that global developments in security and safety are not limited to field or external operations but also include administrative work. He emphasized that prioritizing health and safety is among our top priorities, and he thanked the Association and its organizers for their efforts in ensuring the conference’s success.
Al-Shammari expressed his satisfaction with the conference, affirming it is one of the key events we look forward to regularly to assess Gulf Drilling and Maintenance Company’s standing compared to other firms, and to identify ways to develop our operations and systems to reduce accidents. He praised the efforts of the conference organizers and thanked the company’s Health, Safety, and Environment department for consistently highlighting important matters.
On his part, Ibrahim Al-Mahdi, Health, Safety, and Environment Consultant at Gulf Drilling and Well Maintenance Company, highlighted the importance and necessity of following the latest technologies and developments related to occupational safety for individuals and facilities to minimize losses and risks to the lowest levels. He explained that the 13th International Conference on Health, Safety, and Environment in Kuwait, organized by the American Society of Safety Professionals, annually highlights the latest global updates and solutions to help participants keep pace with global developments.
Al-Mahdi added that “Gulf” is one of the local petroleum services and processing companies and is among the largest local companies in Kuwait, holding major contracts with Kuwait Oil Company.
Regarding regional and global challenges and their impact on safety and the environment, Al-Mahdi said, “Indeed, we faced these challenges from the beginning of this year, as did other oil companies, led by Kuwait Oil Company.” He noted that their response was proactive regarding recent regional events, including comprehensive emergency plans and procedures for evacuating and returning personnel.
On the use of artificial intelligence within the conference’s scope, Al-Mahdi clarified that the idea of AI is not, as some believe, a replacement for humans. Rather, it assists humans in making sound decisions at the right time. He added, “We have now integrated artificial intelligence into all health, safety, and environment management systems across all companies. At Gulf Drilling and Well Maintenance Company, AI is present from the moment you enter the facility. Cameras identify who you are, record your entry and exit times, using facial recognition and other AI-related technologies.”
On another note, Dr. Fatima Asaad Kharib, Assistant Professor and Senior Specialist in Sports Injuries and Athletics at the College of Basic Education, under the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, revealed that the conference was filled with specialists from Kuwait Oil Company and outside it, serving as a supportive platform for health, safety, and the environment.
She added, “I participated on the second day with a paper on sports injuries and their relationship with incorrect habits, posture, and their positive and negative effects on the human body, particularly for individuals unable to exercise or those with incorrect lifestyle habits (such as sitting and movement patterns) or job-related physical demands.”
Dr. Kharib recommended the necessity of exercising for health, citing World Health Organization guidelines of 30 minutes, three times a week, to avoid general disease risk factors, or 45 minutes, three times a week. She advised avoiding the incorrect habits mentioned; if one avoids them, they will be free from related problems. The foundation is regular exercise, in any sport, at any time, and in any place.
