Latest news with #HIPP
Qatar Tribune
21-05-2025
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
Hamad Trauma Centre promotes initiative to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists
Tribune News Network Doha The Hamad Injury Prevention Programme of Hamad Trauma Centre supported the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week, which was held from May 12 to 18. This year's theme, 'Streets for Life: #MakeWalkingSafe and #MakeCyclingSafe', underscores the critical need to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists worldwide, as part of a broader effort to reduce road traffic injuries and fatalities. Every year, more than 1.3 million people worldwide lose their lives in road accidents, with pedestrians and cyclists accounting for a significant proportion of these casualties. In Qatar, as urban development progresses, there is a growing need to prioritise the safety of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists. Despite a 15 percent decrease in Hamad Trauma Centre (HTC) admissions for serious injuries, the Qatar National Trauma Registry has shown a seven percent and 39 percent increase in the number of pedestrians and cyclists admitted to the HTC from 2023 to 2024. Young children, particularly under the age of 15, and older residents, more than 55 years old, were most severely injured as pedestrians. Bicycle-related traumatic injuries, predominantly affect children, below the age of 15, and working-age males who cycle for work or leisure. The HIPP at HTC is committed to preventing unnecessary road traffic injuries [RTIs] from affecting any members of the public. During this UNGRSW, HIPP emphasises the importance of managing speed as a proven means of making our roads safer for all road users, most especially for the most vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists, even children and the elderly. 'We are committed to working together with all our partners to make streets in Qatar safer for all road users, especially the most vulnerable. This year's theme provides an opportunity to reflect on the vital role we can all play in contributing to a safer road environment for pedestrians and cyclists,' said Dr. Rafael Consunji, director of the Hamad Injury Prevention Programme. 'Drivers must not drive while distracted by their mobile phones, always stop for pedestrians on crosswalks and drive under the designated speed limits. Cyclists must make themselves visible [with reflectors or blinking lights], show hand signals when turning and use bike lanes when available. Pedestrians must only cross at designated crossing zones and stay on sidewalks,' Dr. Consunji added. HIPP reaffirms its commitment to advancing evidence-based road safety policies and fostering a culture of community responsibility around safer mobility. In support of the 8th UN Global Road Safety Week, the programme endorses the campaign theme 'Streets for Life: #MakeWalkingSafe and #MakeCyclingSafe', which highlights the urgent need for safer infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists in Qatar and around the world. 'Our goal is to align with the global mission of reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by 50 percent by 2030, and this requires sustained, collaborative action,' said Dr. Consunji. 'This year's campaign reinforces the importance of integrating safety into urban planning and policymaking to protect all road users, especially the most vulnerable.'
CBS News
19-03-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Baltimore DPW director promises culture change following scathing reports on workplace conditions
A year into his role as Baltimore's Department of Public Works director, Khalil Zaied promises the culture is shifting in his department. In a one-on-one conversation with WJZ's Dennis Valera, Zaied affirmed his commitment to change the DPW after several scathing reports criticizing workplace conditions and the on-the-job deaths of two workers . The DPW director said as awful as some of the headlines have been since the summer, it has energized him to improve the negative views of the department. Zaied says workplace safety has become the top priority at DPW with the deaths of Ronald Silver II and Timothy Cartwell still weighing on his mind. Silver died of heatstroke after collapsing in near triple-digit heat in August. Cartwell was crushed by a trash truck in November. "What really bothered me the most [was] the actual loss," Zaied said. "How the family feels about those losses." Zaied vows to ensure no other DPW worker dies on the job by improving work conditions. "It made me more determined to get to the bottom of it," he said. New safety and workplace protection measures have been developed, including a proposed Heat Illness Prevention Plan (HIPP) and Extreme Heat Standard Operating Procedure. Zaied said he's meeting with a workers' union next week to finalize the HIPP. "It looks at what the summer is going to look like. It looks at things as [it] happens," he said. "If the temperature gets to be 90 degrees, what are we going to do, how are we gonna make sure our people are safe? [It goes over] what if the temperature gets to 100 degrees." A Cold Stress and Illness Prevention Plan and an Extreme Cold Stress Weather Standard Operating Procedure have been developed. Zaied said he's working hard to change DPW's culture. Part of that effort is making sure he's more present around the department, especially for those who are working the frontlines. "My first job is to go there and show them that I understand what you do. I appreciate what you do and [to show] we need you," Zaied said. Multiple reports from the Baltimore Office of the I nspector General noted awful working conditions, lack of training, and a culture of fear, among other issues. The Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Program, or MOSH, also recently issued a safety citation to DPW . Zaied said he's been bridging the gap between workers on the line and supervisors and managers. "We need to get [supervisors and managers] to understand what you've done in the past, is in the past. There is a new requirement [to abide by], there is new safety [requirements to check]," Zaied said. To address working conditions, DPW has allocated tens of millions of dollars to improve conditions at several sites.
