Facilities Management Middle East
World’s first Industrial Safety Manifesto launched
The Industrial Safety Manifesto will set out guiding principles for the safe adoption of new technologies and the rapid deployment of technology- enabled safety solutions
SAFETY Launched as a partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Lloyd’s Register Foundation and the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS), in collaboration with Cambridge University’s Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy (CIIP), Global Initiative for Industrial Safety (GIFIS) has brought together industry leaders from across the world to develop the first-ever Industrial Safety Manifesto, representing a multi-disciplinary consensus on pioneering a safer world through the safe adoption of technology.
Set to be launched at the inaugural US edition of the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS America) on September end in the city of Pittsburgh, the Industrial Safety Manifesto offers a blueprint for industry, government, and civil society to solve the global industrial safety challenge. The International Labour Organization estimates that, globally, around three million deaths each year are directly attributed to inadequate safety measures and hazardous work environments, with - according to UNIDO - a loss of 3.9% of worldwide GDP.
In a collaboration between UNIDO, Lloyd’s Register Foundation, and the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit, the Industrial Safety Manifesto will set out guiding principles for the safe adoption of new technologies and the rapid deployment of technology-enabled safety solutions.
The Global Initiative for Industrial Safety hosted two virtual workshops with key industry stakeholders to identify and prioritise the principles underpinning the manifesto. The first workshop on September 6 was attended by more than 20 industry experts, predominantly from the private sector, while the second workshop on September 22 was hosted by UNIDO.
There were several key takeaways from the first workshop, which included senior representatives from the International Labour Organization, British Standards Institution (BSI), Rostechnadzor, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, National Safety Council, Cranfield University, Kaspersky, Etihad Rail, Sanad, and Strata: safety practices must be adopted by both the business as well as its employees; international organisations must ensure that their supply chains are upholding safety measures; automation can be deployed while prioritising the safety of its workers; the development of safety policies must be easily adaptable to operating procedures; and tech-focused SMEs need to participate in shaping a safer workplace.
The Industrial Safety Manifesto will be launched at the inaugural edition of GMIS America, which will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With a particular focus on advancing industrial safety, GMIS America sessions will spotlight how new technologies redefine industrial safety. The roadshow will also feature a dedicated session titled ‘Navigating industrial safety in the smart era: Intelligent solutions for the digital age’ on September 29, examining topics including ensuring the use of new technologies does not lead to new safety risks and how to accelerate the adoption of new technology-enabled solutions to address old safety challenges.
In addition, safety experts from Lloyd’s Register Foundation, the University of Cambridge, the UNIDO, and Pittsburghbased Industrial Scientific will highlight the immediate actions needed to address new and deep-rooted industrial safety challenges.
Namir Hourani, managing director of the GMIS Organising Committee, said: “With the launch of the Industrial Safety Manifesto at GMIS America, we will unite stakeholders across multiple disciplines to deliver a safer workplace, ushering in a new era of industrial safety. We aim to tackle new and deep-rooted industrial safety challenges through the right deployment of 4IR technologies, bridge the gaps in safety-related knowledge and awareness, tackle issues of transparency and openness in the industrial landscape, and gather new safety insights for business leaders and policy-makers. I.”
The Global Initiative for Industrial Safety is an initiative launched in partnership between the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS), UNIDO, and Lloyd’s Register Foundation. It is a global platform gathering new safety insights for businesses and policymakers to bridge gaps in safety-related knowledge and tackle new safety challenges created by emerging technologies.