HAAD launches health care sector

The Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD), the regulatory body of the health care sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, on Tuesday announced the launch of the health care sector Environment, Health and Safety Management System (EHSMS) across all thirty-three hospitals in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The new system aims to reduce and mitigate the potential risks that might threaten the health and safety of hospital staff, patients, contractors and visitors, as well as environmental hazards and risks. Under the new system, each hospital is required to develop their own EHSMS based on the hazards and risks associated with their operations and submit the system to HAAD for approval. After final approval the hospitals will have to implement the system within their facilities and be regularly inspected and audited on EHSMS compliance. The new EHSMS will encourage sustainable development, and will help health care facilities to create safer and healthier workplaces through reduction of workplace injuries and illnesses and consequently reducing working hours lost. It will also help improving efficiency and reduce health care facilities risks and liabilities. HAAD conducted two EHSMS awareness workshops in December 2010 and March 2011 introducing the EHSMS concept to the hospitals. It is planned that regular workshops and training sessions will be held in 2011 and 2012 to grow capacity within the Health Sector to develop, implement and manage their individual EHSMS. HAAD is developing a web based e-system that will enable the healthcare providers to register their EHSMS with HAAD and report on the EHSMS Key performance indicators (KPI's) which include occupational health and safety, infection control, environmental and sustainability KPI's. This will facilitate providing up to date information and reporting to the AD EHS Centre and is a ground-breaking system in the management of EHSMS. Concurrently HAAD has developed and implemented an in-house EHSMS that will focus on the Environment, Health and Safety within all HAAD facilities and buildings. Workshops and training sessions are planned to empowering HAAD staff in implementing and maintaining a safer and healthier work environment. HAAD provided the AD EHS Centre, in April 2011, with their first EHSMS Quarterly report and showed significant advances in managing their internal resources in a more sustainable manner. Abu Dhabi Emirate Environment, Health and Safety Management System (AD EHSMS) was developed as per the directions of Abu Dhabi Government to manage environment, health and safety issues through the use of a framework that assists entities, in both private and government sector, to identify, control and reduce workplace risks and the impacts of their business activities, on the environment, human health and the safety of workers and the community. Nine major sectors are targeted to implement the system, these include: building and construction, transport, industry, energy, health, tourism, waste sectors, education and food sector. Further sectors will be included in future as the system is implemented throughout the Emirate. From / Gulf News