Case Studies

Can you tell us about AlBawani and its subsidiaries.
AlBawani is more than a construction company; we're shaping the future of Saudi Arabia's landscape. Since 1991, we've been a driving force in the Kingdom's construction and infrastructure sectors, committed to delivering world-class projects and serving as the Partner of Choice for Better Investment.

Our success stems from our diverse subsidiaries expertise across sectors like Construction, Technology, MEP, Water and Pipelines, Facility Management, Energy, Investment and Development in Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) projects. Consistently delivering exceptional results and exceeding expectations while upholding the highest safety standards. 

AlBawani is a dedicated partner in realising Saudi Vision 2030, actively aligning our strategies with the Kingdom's ambitious growth plans and expanding our reach globally.

We are also committed to building a skilled workforce through initiatives like the National Construction Academy, ensuring a pipeline of local talent and creating reliable, long-term investment opportunities.

Health and Safety are fundamental values of AlBawani. Can you explain how this is reflected in the organisation's operations?
AlBawani integrates both health and safety as fundamental principles across its operations. Safety is of equal importance as cost, scheduling, quality control, and productivity. We operate on the principle that all accidents are preventable and rigorously embed safety into every phase of project execution to drive safety excellence.

Each project has a dedicated HSSE program, with a safety manager and team assigned according to client and contract requirements, often exceeding industry standard ratios for safety personnel. This team is responsible for enforcing safety protocols and maintaining the organisation's unwavering commitment to providing a healthy and secure working environment for our employees, subcontractors, and clients. The company has established stringent safety procedures to protect personnel, minimise errors, and ensure the timely and budget-compliant delivery of projects. 

AlBawani maintains certifications of ISO 45001, ISO 14001, and ISO 9001:2008 certifications, ensuring adherence to rigorous global safety, quality, and environmental standards.

You were appointed AlBawani's HSSE Director in February 2024. Can you tell us about your role and responsibilities?
As an HSSE Director in AlBawani, my primary responsibility is to drive a strong safety culture across all operations, ensuring that health, safety, security and environmental (HSSE) standards are upheld at the highest level. I achieve this with the full support of our Group CEO, GCSES, President, COO and the wider leadership team, along with my Core HSSE Team of 400+ dedicated HSSE professionals deployed across project sites and fixed assets.

Together, we develop and implement HSSE strategies that align with ISO 45001 and ISO 14001, while maintaining full compliance with local regulations and international best practices. My role encompasses oversight of risk management, incident prevention, and emergency response planning—ensuring a safe and resilient working environment for all employees, visitors, subcontractors, and stakeholders.

A key aspect of my role is engaging leadership and project teams to cultivate a proactive safety mindset through training, conducting regular safety audits, and continuously improving our HSSE performance through various initiatives. Additionally, as an organisation we work closely with clients and regulatory bodies to maintain compliance and drive innovation in safety programs, positioning AlBawani at the forefront of safety excellence in the construction industry.

Can you share details of the organisation's HSSE 2.0 improvement strategy, which you have been instrumental in devising and delivering?
In September 2023, AlBawani launched its HSE Improvement Strategy with a comprehensive introductory webinar that was open to all employees. This strategy was conceptualised and led by our former Senior Vice President – HSSE & ESG, who now serves as the Group Chief Social, Environment & Sustainability Officer at AlBawani Holding. The initiative was built around three core components:

• HSE Climate Survey – Over 3,000 employees participated, reflecting strong engagement across all levels of the organisation.
• Site Assessments – Conducted at five selected projects, these assessments focused on evaluating the implementation of HSE practices and gauging on-site employee awareness and knowledge.
• Four one day workshops – This strategic workshop brought together approximately 200 participants from across the organisation. Each day was dedicated to a specific employee group (Workers, Supervisors/Foremen, Management/ Top Management, HSSE Managers).

During the workshops, we reviewed the findings from the survey and assessments and prepared for the rollout of the next phase: HSSE Improvement Strategy 2.0, which was officially launched in January 2024. HSSE 2.0 is a more structured and enhanced version of the original strategy, built around three key pillars:

• Thriving team: By enhancing HSSE training across all levels, developing clear competency benchmarks, improving hiring practices, and prioritising employee well-being, all while fostering a supportive culture with recognition programs to drive engagement and accountability.
• Customer centricity: By implementing regular surveys and feedback mechanisms to gauge HSSE performance and culture. Establish transparent communication channels, including project-specific onboarding and regular updates, in addition to incentivising compliance and transparency across all stakeholders.
• Sustainable system: by modernising HSSE systems through digitalisation and improved reporting capabilities, strengthening our contractor requirements and leadership engagement, as well as implementing life-saving protocols, actively learning from past experiences, and integrating individual KPIs.

These pillars are supported by 40 targeted actions, implemented across both corporate and project levels. The goal is to further embed a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the organisation. By prioritising innovation, digitalisation, and stakeholder collaboration, HSSE 2.0 underscores our commitment to achieving operational excellence and creating a safer, more sustainable future for all.

Having completed the NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Health and Safety Leadership Excellence yourself in 2020, you decided this qualification should be an integral part of the HSSE strategy. Can you share:

Why you chose this qualification in particular?
I chose the NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Health and Safety Leadership Excellence, because it is specifically designed to equip leaders with the skills to influence and drive a strong safety culture within their organisations. This qualification focuses on behavioural safety, effective communication, and decision-making, which aligns perfectly with AlBawani’s commitment to safety excellence.

Having completed it myself in 2020, I experienced first-hand how it encourages leadership accountability and proactive risk management, making it a key component of our HSSE strategy.

Which staff have been given the opportunity to take the qualification and why?
To maximise the impact of this training, we have prioritised leadership at all levels, ensuring that safety is embedded in every decision-making process.

Those selected to participate include Department Heads, Project Directors, Project Managers, Construction Managers, as well as the COO and AlBawani’s senior leadership team. By equipping our senior leaders with this knowledge, we reinforce that safety is not merely a compliance requirement, it is a core value that drives operational excellence across the organisation.

How many colleagues have now received this NEBOSH HSE training?
We initially targeted 163 colleagues. So far,146 have successfully completed the training demonstrating our commitment to investing in leadership for safety excellence..

What benefits have been gained so far from rolling out this training to the AlBawani leadership team?
The impact of this training has been significant, with key benefits including:

• Enhanced safety culture – with leaders now taking a more proactive approach to safety, embedding it into daily operations rather than treating it as a standalone requirement.
• Improved decision-making – the training has given leaders a better understanding of risk, enabling them to make informed decisions to prioritise safety without compromising efficiency.
• Stronger accountability – there has been a shift in leadership engagement, with directors and managers actively promoting and enforcing HSSE standards.
• Increased workforce confidence – employees feel more supported and valued, leading to a more positive and productive work environment.
• Improved compliance –we have observed a decline in workplace incidents and improved compliance across projects, which has been attributed to the application of leadership-driven safety strategies.

This investment in such training is proving to be a powerful tool in our journey towards achieving safety excellence.

It is clear you are very focused on achieving safety excellence both from a personal and corporate perspective. Do you have any hints and tips you can share with others who have the same aspiration for their business?
Absolutely! We believe achieving safety excellence requires a strong commitment, leadership engagement, and a proactive approach to risk management. Here are my key hints and tips for businesses striving to build a world-class safety culture:

• Leadership commitment is non-negotiable: Safety starts at the top; leaders must walk the talk and actively demonstrate their commitment to safety. Investing in safety leadership training, like the NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Health and Safety Leadership Excellence, will help embed a safety-first mindset. Ensure safety is not just a compliance obligation but a core business value.
• Embed safety into every decision: Safety should be integrated into every area of the business encouraging cross-functional collaboration, to ensure that safety is considered in all project phases.
• Adopt a proactive risk management approach: Prevention is better than cure, prioritise hazard identification and risk assessments before incidents occur. Proactively use data-driven insights to predict and mitigate risks. Implement behaviour-based safety programs to address unsafe behaviours before they lead to incidents.
• Empower your workforce: Invest in training for all employees, from senior leadership to site workers. Encourage open reporting of hazards and near misses without fear of blame. Recognise and reward safe behaviours to reinforce a positive safety culture.
• Monitoring and measurement: Set clear safety KPIs, conducting frequent regular safety audits to foster a culture of continuous improvement, using lessons learned from incidents and near misses to strengthen safety systems.
• Safety is a shared responsibility: Everyone in the organisation must take ownership of safety. Consider appointing HSSE champions across all levels to drive engagement.
• Communication is key: Regularly engage with employees' and make safety personal, share real-life stories and case studies to create a deeper connection. Encourage two-way communication, where employees feel heard and valued.

By embracing these principles, businesses can build a robust safety culture that prioritise safety not only to protect their people but also enhance productivity, safeguard their reputation, and ensures long-term sustainability.