MANAMA: A Bahrain safety training organisation is to get the support of the US-based International Safety Council (ISC) in promoting its programmes in the region. National Occupational Safety & Health Centre (OSHO) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ISC, which will now share its expertise with the Bahrain organisation. OSHO managing director Alawi Shubber signed the MoU with ISC executive vice-president Leo Carey at a ceremony held at the Gulf Hotel. ISC is an affiliate of the National Safety Council (NSC) of the USA. Under the agreement, OSHO will be licensed to use NSC trademarks, trade names and logos.
OSHO will also have the right to distribute certain NSC occupational health and safety programmes and services in Bahrain and other countries in the region, said Mr Shubber. NSC consultants will also visit Bahrain to support OSHO's training projects, he told the GDN. "We are proud to enter into a partnership with a world-renowned safety organisation," said Mr Shubber. "NSC is a non-profit, non-governmental, public service organisation dedicated to protecting life and promoting health. "Founded in 1913, its members include more than 48,000 businesses, labour organisations, schools, public agencies, private groups and individuals." OSHO has already trained about 200 people in Bahrain companies in occupational health and safety. "We have also trained 1,700 people in Qatar and 4,000 in Russia," Mr Shubber revealed. "Recently, we signed an agreement to train 7,000 workers in Qatar's oil industry." Al Hamad Construction, the main contractor of the Bahrain Financial Harbour, has hired the services of OSHO, which has been responsible for the safety management at the construction site over the past two-and-a-half years. "OSHO developed a workable health and safety management system based on international safety standard OHSAS 18001, for the BFH construction project," said Mr Shubber. "Our safety management programme included trainings and orientation, and periodic safety inspections." soman@gdn.com.bh