Saudi Arabia cut workplace deaths by 75pct, created more health, safety jobs: Official

Al Arabiya

2 days ago

Saudi Arabia has reduced workplace fatalities by more than 75 percent and created more than 29,000 jobs in occupational safety and health since 2018 as part of a sweeping national strategy to make worker wellbeing central to its Vision 2030 transformation, a senior official told Al Arabiya English in an interview.
The Kingdom is making major strides in occupational safety and health through regulatory reform, digital transformation, and international alignment, according to Majed al-Fuwaiz, Secretary General of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health.
'We are already seeing real and measurable progress,' al-Fuwaiz told Al Arabiya English.
'Occupational injury rates in the Kingdom have dropped by more than 41.8 percent since 2018, and workplace fatalities have fallen from 3.83 to 0.94 per 100,000 workers, which represents a drop by 75.4 percent, by the end of 2024.'
Al-Fuwaiz also said more than 29,000 new jobs have been created in occupational safety and health, helping to build a new generation of skilled Saudi professionals.
'We have digitized 62 percent of occupational safety and health processes, up from just 30 percent a few years ago,' he said.
Modernize labor standards
These achievements are part of a broader Vision 2030 strategy to modernize labor standards, expand the role of the private sector, and ensure safer, more productive workplaces across the Kingdom, according to him.
'We've taken a proactive and strategic approach to workplace safety, rooted firmly in our Vision 2030 goals,' al-Fuwaiz said.
He highlighted several key initiatives, including the National Strategic Program for Occupational Safety and Health launched in 2017, the approval of a national policy in 2021, and the creation of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health in 2022.
The council unites 16 government bodies, employers, and worker representatives to coordinate safety efforts across all sectors.
Enforcement has become more consistent and transparent thanks to a unified national governance system and real-time digital tools, al-Fuwaiz said.
'The National Platform for Incident Reporting and Investigation enables real-time reporting, risk analysis, and coordination between inspection teams,' he said.
This digital infrastructure has boosted responsiveness, allowing authorities to quickly address high-risk areas.
To measure and improve compliance, Saudi Arabia uses performance dashboards, physical inspections, and initiatives like the National Excellence and Compliance Model.
'Saudi Arabia's compliance is measured using a data-driven approach,' he said.
The Kingdom has also embedded international labor standards into its legal framework.
'A major milestone was the ratification of ILO Convention No. 187,' said al-Fuwaiz, adding that the Kingdom is working toward ratifying Convention No. 155 as well.
'These commitments are reflected in real regulatory reforms.'
Workforce development
Training and workforce development are central to the plan.
Saudi Arabia launched the Occupational Safety and Health Cadres Program to license professionals in the field and offers free online training in eight languages to expand access to safety education.
'This initiative aims to support the implementation and enforcement of occupational safety and health requirements in the workplace,' he said.
Al-Fuwaiz also addressed global challenges, including climate-driven heat stress, mental health issues, and shifting labor patterns in the gig economy.
'The need for stronger workplace protections has never been clearer,' he said. 'Simply put, no one country can tackle these challenges alone.'
Youth leading innovation
Young people are also playing a leading role in innovation, he said.
A hackathon hosted alongside this year's Global Occupational Safety and Health Conference attracted more than 1,000 participants from nine countries, with 465 project proposals submitted.
'More than 82 percent of the participants are under the age of 35,' he said. 'It's a great example of how fresh thinking and collaboration can lead to practical, high-impact solutions.'
'Through innovation and scale, Saudi Arabia is helping build a healthcare and labor system that is efficient, inclusive, and globally competitive,' al-Fuwaiz said.
GOSH7
The official revealed the recent data at the seventh Global Occupational Safety and Health Conference (GOSH7) held in Riyadh in May.
The conference brought together global experts, innovators, and policymakers to tackle emerging risks and promote sustainable workplace safety systems.
'GOSH7 provided an important platform to bring global expertise together, exchange ideas, and find real-world solutions to the challenges we all face,' the Secretary General of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health.
'Hosting this conference annually reflects our commitment to ensuring worker wellbeing remains at the heart of economic and social development,' al-Fuwaiz added. 'It also supports our Vision 2030 ambitions to build a more resilient, competitive, and sustainable economy.'
This year's conference explored topics such as the impact of digitization and climate change on workplace safety, innovation in risk mitigation, and the economic benefits of investing in occupational health.