Case Studies

When did you decide you wanted to work in health and safety, and how did you know it was the right career for you?
My journey into health and safety began when, despite being a skilled swimmer, I nearly drowned at age 11. The frightening incident could have been avoided if someone had been watching from the poolside to enforce safe behaviour. The experience taught me that ability alone isn’t enough when systems, oversight, and general safety awareness are missing. That moment sparked a lifelong awareness of preventable risk.

Later, during my chemical engineering studies, I was drawn to safety modules and went on to complete a master’s in environmental and industrial safety. My thesis on confined space entry uncovered heart-breaking stories of lives lost—not due to individual error, but systemic failure. I listened to workers who had lost friends and colleagues simply because safety wasn’t planned, enforced, or prioritised. That experience cemented my purpose: to embed safety into the fabric of every workplace—not just to meet standards, but to protect lives.

You took your first NEBOSH qualification, the International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety in 2018:

• Why did you choose this qualification? - In 2018, I was working as a safety officer and was eager to advance in my career. I felt a strong need to deepen my knowledge and develop a more strategic understanding of health and safety management. Among all the options available, the NEBOSH International General Certificate (IGC) stood out as the most credible—it was the gold standard. Its global recognition, practical structure, and technical depth made it the ideal stepping stone to elevate both my competence and career prospects. For me, it wasn’t just a qualification—it was a strategic investment in my future as a safety leader.

• How did achieving it help you? Achieving the IGC was a turning point in my career. It gave me the essential knowledge and structured understanding I needed to thrive. I gained a better understanding of how safety systems function, and it expanded my perception of risk, compliance, human factors, and organisational safety as an integrated system.

I approached the qualification with full dedication and passed on my first attempt, a proud achievement given NEBOSH’s rigorous global standard. At the time, I was one of very few women in Sudan holding this certification. But I didn’t stop at earning the certificate—I used it strategically to unlock opportunities in manufacturing, international firms, and high-paced environments. NEBOSH gave me more than technical knowledge—it gave me recognition, momentum, and the confidence to shape the career I had always envisioned.

During your career, you have moved countries and worked in a wide range of industries. Having moved between sectors more than once, do you have any tips to help others to manage change well?
Throughout my career, I’ve worked across sectors including oil and gas, engineering, manufacturing, humanitarian operations, and facilities management. I’ve gained experience in both Sudan and the Gulf region, collaborating with professionals from diverse cultural and technical backgrounds—each with unique approaches to safety, operations and leadership.

Resilience, adaptability, and a growth mindset have been central to my journey. While each sector brings its own pace and complexity, the core values of health and safety remain constant. When entering a new field, I start by listening and understanding the organisation’s risks, culture, and operations—tailoring my approach while staying aligned with fundamental HSE principles.

I see change not as disruption, but as an opportunity to grow, innovate, and expand both technical and interpersonal capabilities. This mindset has helped me succeed across industries and deliver meaningful, sustainable impact.

You have worked for the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority since February 2024. Can you tell us a little about the organisation?
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, established in 2008, is the government entity responsible for driving the growth and sustainability of Dubai’s cultural and creative sectors. The Authority serves as the custodian of the Emirate’s cultural identity, working to elevate Dubai’s presence both locally and globally as a centre for culture, creativity, and talent.

With a clear commitment to heritage and innovation, Dubai Culture manages and activates a range of cultural, historical, and creative assets—including key heritage sites, museums, and public libraries. Through its cultural initiatives and strategic vision, it promotes inclusion, dialogue, and artistic expression across communities.

What role do you hold in the company and what are your main responsibilities?
As the QHSE Manager for Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, I oversee quality, health, safety, and environmental functions across cultural, heritage, archaeological, and public library sites. My role includes leading risk assessments, developing policies, delivering training, conducting audits, and ensuring compliance with Dubai Municipality, Civil Defense, and international standards like ISO 45001 and ISO 14001.

I also support sustainability initiatives aligned with the Authority’s strategic goals and lead efforts to build a compliance-driven, people-centred safety culture. This includes awareness campaigns, improved hazard communication, proactive reporting, and integrated emergency response and business continuity planning.

Recognising the unique challenges of cultural sites—where public engagement and historical preservation intersect—I tailor safety strategies accordingly. I also ensure that all the Authority’s cultural and public events meet the highest safety standards, working closely with internal teams, service providers, and external stakeholders to embed safety into every aspect of operations.

In 2024 you also completed the NEBOSH Environmental Management Certificate.

• Why did you choose this qualification? - Sustainability has always been central to my vision of safety leadership. I chose the NEBOSH Environmental Management Certificate to deepen my understanding of environmental impacts and better integrate sustainability into operational decision-making. With the growing global focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors, this qualification felt like a natural and essential next step in my professional journey.

• How did achieving it help you? - Completing the NEBOSH Environmental Management Certificate prompted me to thoroughly review environmental aspects and impacts within our operations. Thanks to this qualification, I led audits of waste disposal processes conducted by all contractors, ensuring compliance and improved practices. We also initiated site assessments focused on reducing electricity consumption by evaluating equipment efficiency. Additionally, the certification helped us align with global environmental requirements, such as phasing out the use of certain ozone-depleting gases, advancing Dubai Culture’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Moreover, I contribute to the Authority’s sustainability efforts, including alignment with the Green Office initiative, which encompasses a paperless policy, supporting Dubai Culture’s goal of minimising its environmental footprint. The certificate has enhanced my ability to cohesively align health, safety, and environmental objectives and empowered me to engage more effectively in strategic sustainability discussions, embedding these principles more deeply into the organisation’s culture and operations.

What’s next for you in terms of your professional development?
As a safety professional committed to continuous growth, I’m currently pursuing advanced certifications and seeking membership in leading professional institutions to expand both my technical expertise and strategic scope. I’m also working toward risk management qualifications to strengthen my ability to lead integrated safety systems.

I aspire to take on regional and global roles where I can oversee multi-site safety systems, influence policy-level decisions, and help advance human-centred safety standards—creating measurable impact across countries and industries.

Long term, I’d like to contribute to the design of human-centred safety models and exploring how AI and machine learning can transform safety—turning data into actionable insights that predict risks and drive performance across sectors.

What do you enjoy about being part of the health and safety profession?
What inspires me most about this profession is its deep sense of meaning. It’s not just a technical role—it’s a mission with a direct impact on people’s lives. Every day, I help create environments where people feel safe, cared for, and valued—and that gives me a profound sense of fulfilment. It also means that what I believe in aligns with what I do.

The field keeps me mentally engaged—it’s a blend of analysis, decision-making, and human connection. Safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s a culture that touches every corner of an organisation. What fulfils me most is seeing people respond with trust, engagement, and a quiet confidence that someone truly cares.

When you think about your career so far, what are you most proud of?
Looking back on my career, I’m proud to have worked across diverse sectors, building and advancing safety systems at all levels. As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, I’ve created my own opportunities and left a tangible impact wherever I’ve worked.

I’ve played a key role in developing safety cultures from the ground up—especially in environments where safety was once a secondary concern. I helped shift mindsets from reactive to proactive and successfully led companies through recertification audits for Occupational Health & Safety and Environmental Management Systems, achieving zero non-conformities. These outcomes reflect not only strong systems, but a cultural shift toward accountability and continuous improvement.

One of the most defining moments in my journey was being nicknamed “Sarah Salama” by colleagues. The word "Salama" (سلامة) means "safety," "well-being," or "peace." I view the name as a symbol of the trust they have placed in me. It reminded me that safety isn’t just about rules—it’s about people, culture, and purpose. I look forward to growing that legacy and expanding its impact even further.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to make health and safety their career?

Health and safety is a profession rooted in empathy, care, and commitment—driven by a genuine passion for people. It’s not just about rules and regulations; it’s a mission to protect lives.

My advice is to start with strong qualifications like NEBOSH and stay open to continuous learning and growth. Don’t hesitate to explore different industries—each one will teach you something valuable. This profession often gives back more than you expect; it’s a gift for anyone who truly wants to make a difference. Be patient, honest, and kind—and let your impact leave a meaningful mark wherever you go.