Top Five HSE Challenges in the UAE

In this article, we highlight the top five HSE challenges in the UAE, as well as provide practical solutions businesses can take to address them.

1. Health and Safety in UAE Construction
2. Managing Risks in Oil and Gas
3. Heat Stress in the UAE
4. Working at Height Remains High-Risk
5. From Compliance to Best Practice
6. Building a Culture of Safety Through Training

Health and safety has always been a priority in the UAE, but as the country continues to see rapid growth in construction and large-scale infrastructure projects, it’s becoming more important than ever.

In 2022, the UAE strengthened its safety standards by aligning them with ISO 45001, the global standard for workplace health and safety management. As well as supporting safer workplaces, it has made the UAE more appealing to international partners and investors.

At the same time, there is a growing demand for clear and practical guidance around health and safety policies, audits and certifications.

Construction is one of the UAE’s most significant non-oil industries. According to Mordor Intelligence, the market is projected to expand by around 4.2% annually (CAGR), growing to more than USD 52 billion by 2030.

This growth means there is an even greater emphasis on HSE in construction in the UAE, which brings several safety challenges.

Working at height is a key concern, as falls are recognised as one of the leading causes of accidents worldwide. Heavy machinery and large equipment can also be hazardous if they are not operated or stored safely.

On larger projects involving multiple contractors, compliance can be inconsistent because safety standards can vary between companies. Heat stress is also a concern for outdoor workers during the summer months, but we’ll cover that in more detail later.

While these challenges are felt across the UAE, Dubai is increasingly seen as a leader in occupational health and safety (OSH), launching initiatives to improve workplace safety in Dubai and align with international benchmarks.

To address these issues, companies should ensure:

• Every project should start with clear communication reinforced by regular toolbox talks and on-site briefings.
• Undertake ISO-aligned audits to check compliance and identify any gaps.
• Use resources from organisations such as British Safety Council for practical guidance on safer worksites and improved risk management.

The UAE is synonymous with the oil and gas industry, which has supported the country’s development for decades. With its scale and associated risks, strong health and safety practices are essential.

In practice, effective HSE in oil and gas in the UAE means managing key risks such as handling flammable materials. According to the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP), fire and explosions are one of the top safety priorities in this sector.

Maintenance can involve working in confined spaces such as tanks, pipelines or other enclosed areas where hazards such as toxic gases or low oxygen must be carefully managed. Long shifts are common, and fatigue can lead to human error.

Also, similarly to the construction sector, maintaining consistent HSE standards across large, multi-contractor teams with diverse languages and cultures remains an ongoing challenge.

• Implement strong permit-to-work controls to keep high-risk tasks such as confined space entry and hot work safe.
• Hold regular emergency drills so teams know how to respond to fires, explosions or spills.
• Make sure all contractors follow the same safety standards on site to ensure consistency.
• Use frameworks aligned with international standards such as ISO 45001, alongside recognised training, including the NEBOSH International General Certificate or IOSH Managing Safely courses from British Safety Council.

Given the UAE’s climate, it’s no surprise that its extreme summer heat can pose serious health and safety risks, particularly for outdoor workers.

In May 2025, a record-breaking temperature of 51.6°C was noted, the highest May temperature since records began in 2003. The UAE enforces a midday work ban from 15^th June – 15^th September every year, to help protect outdoor workers from extreme heat.

In Abu Dhabi, this ban is supported by the ‘Safety in the Heat’ programme that provides employers guidance on managing heat stress and protecting workers during summer.

Construction and outdoor workers face a heightened risk of dehydration, heatstroke and fatigue when working in these conditions.

Fatigue is not only harmful to the individual but can also reduce alertness, increasing the risk of human error with machinery or at height. Protective clothing can also exacerbate heat stress, leaving workers more vulnerable if additional measures are not in place.

• Adhere to local midday break laws to limit sun exposure during peak hours.
• Provide water and shaded rest breaks to protect workers.
• Educate employees and managers to spot the early signs of heat stress.
• Use resources from trusted organisations such as British Safety Council’s ‘hazards in the workplace’ guide for additional practical advice.

In the UAE, many workers operate at height – this includes construction sites and in oil and gas facilities. As a result, falls are one of the leading causes of serious workplace accidents in the country.

Common risks include poorly maintained scaffolding, misuse of ladders or harnesses and unsafe equipment. While falls at height are often linked with construction sites, oil and gas facilities often involve work at height on tanks and towers.

Fatigue is another risk, especially when working in extreme heat. When people are tired, their concentration decreases, which can make falls more likely. Gaps in training or inadequate supervision are also risks that can contribute to falls.

• Regularly inspect scaffolding and equipment and ensure it’s inspected before use.
• Enforce mandatory use of PPE including harnesses, lanyards and helmets.
• Give targeted training and toolbox talks on correct and safe ladder, scaffold and harness usage.
• Strengthen site supervision by training managers on safe practices.

Local businesses face strict health and safety requirements, with the prospect of penalties if inspections highlight issues that aren’t up to standard.

Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 requires employers to maintain safe workplaces, while the UAE.S 5052:2022 standard aligns with ISO 45001, making sure companies meet international expectations.

This alignment doesn’t just help local workers; it could also make the organisation more appealing to international partners and investors.

Businesses need to go further than basic compliance. Regular HSE audits and certification help identify gaps, address risks and ensure standards are applied consistently.

Policies must be kept up to date, audits documented, and contractors held to the same high standards, especially as requirements evolve.

• Write a clear HSE policy that reflects current UAE requirements (and ideally goes beyond this).
• Carry out regular risk assessments and ISO-aligned audits supported by relevant resources such as British Safety Council’s ISO audits guide.
• Use training to build consistency. IOSH training in Dubai, such as the IOSH Managing Safely course, equips managers and employees with the knowledge they need to embed compliance across the organisation.

With the right training, health and safety guidance becomes daily practice and routine. Managers and staff gain confidence and the skills needed to address each of the five challenges covered.

For managers, courses such as IOSH Managing Safely, provide tools to help assess and manage everyday risks including heat stress, working at height as well as construction hazards and on-suite compliance.

For those leading audits, regulation, or high-risk areas such as oil and gas operations, NEBOSH courses in Dubai are a good option. The NEBOSH International General Certificate provides specialist knowledge aligned with ISO standards.

Training helps businesses go further than just compliance by embedding a culture of safety which supports long-term success. By addressing these health and safety challenges in Dubai, organisations can strengthen compliance, protect workers and build safer workplaces for the future.