Women in safety lead critical conversations at RoSPA Dubai safety summit
Iain Hoey
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RoSPA hosts safety summit in Dubai
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is hosting its Safety Summit 2025 today [24th September] at the JW Marriott Hotel Marina in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The one-day event, held in partnership with the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH), brings together safety leaders and decision-makers from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
According to RoSPA, the summit is focused on building resilience against extreme heat, preparing for future GCC regulations and strengthening occupational safety and health (OSH) leadership.
RoSPA confirmed that the event has closed bookings, with the programme structured around keynote speeches, case studies and panel discussions.
Speakers and programme
The summit began with opening remarks from Becky Hickman, Chief Executive Officer of RoSPA, and Ibtehal Hamed, International Consultant at RoSPA.
Dr Waddah S. Ghanem Al Hashmi, Chairman of the Federal OSH Committee, UAE, delivered the keynote on governance, regulation and leadership in the GCC safety sector.
Panels during the day have addressed topics including OSH in workplaces and communities, climate resilience, and road risk management.
Specific sessions have also examined the role of women in safety, safe driving standards, leadership in high-risk industries and the impact of RoSPA Awards on organisational culture.
The closing remarks are scheduled to be delivered by Becky Hickman, followed by a networking reception.
Key themes and focus areas
RoSPA confirmed that the summit highlights OSH as a driver of safer workplaces and stronger community wellbeing.
Topics under discussion include adaptation to extreme heat, flood risk, worker health and integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities into safety management.
Case studies presented at the event feature examples of heat illness prevention, workplace safety standards and recognition through RoSPA’s international awards scheme.
Sessions also place emphasis on women’s leadership in OSH, transport safety and the importance of embedding a culture of care in high-risk industries.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The RoSPA Safety Summit 2025 in Dubai is directly relevant to professionals managing health, safety and risk in the GCC.
For fire and rescue chiefs and senior officers, the focus on climate resilience and extreme heat adaptation provides examples of preventive strategies that can inform operational planning.
For occupational safety and health officers, facility managers and consultants, the event outlines the importance of governance, leadership and inclusive culture in achieving compliance and resilience.
For professionals in oil and gas, aviation and high-risk transport sectors, sessions on road safety, fleet driver protection and high-risk industry leadership offer insights into reducing occupational hazards.
For standards and certification bodies, the summit’s inclusion of NEBOSH perspectives and discussion of ISO 45009 developments points to evolving frameworks that may shape future compliance in the region.
RoSPA hosts safety summit in Dubai: Summary
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) hosted the Safety Summit 2025 on Wednesday 24 September 2025 at the JW Marriott Hotel Marina in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The one-day event was held in partnership with the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) and brought together senior leaders, regulators and safety professionals from across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The programme included keynote addresses, panel discussions and case studies on occupational safety and health, climate resilience, future regulation, women in safety, road risk management and leadership in high-risk industries.
Speakers included Dr Waddah S. Ghanem Al Hashmi of the UAE Federal OSH Committee, Becky Hickman of RoSPA, and senior representatives from organisations such as ALBA, Serco, ADNOC, PepsiCo and Dubai Municipality.
The summit closed with remarks from RoSPA’s Chief Executive Officer, followed by a networking reception at the venue.
This article contains information from the following source: RoSPA