Over the years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s workplace injury rate has dropped from 416 to 288 injuries per 100,000 workers, remarked H.E. Minister of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) and Chairman of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (NCOSH), Eng. Ahmed bin Suleiman Al-Rajhi, at GOSH7.

H.E. Minister Al-Rajhi also shared that the adoption rate of occupational safety and health standards has risen to 71.27%, supported by key labour law legislations.

This progress, the Minister noted, was driven by the strategic implementation of national OSH programs, spearheaded by the NCOSH, and made possible through the dedicated efforts and collaborative contributions of various sectors within the council and the broader OSH system.

البث المباشر للمؤتمر الدولي السابع للسلامة والصحة المهنية..
⁦#GOSH7 https://t.co/AAQL4QXnVn

— GOSH (@GOSH_ksa) May 5, 2025

H.E. Minister Al-Rajhi also announced six landmark initiatives to strengthen the occupational safety and health (OSH) system in Saudi Arabia and the wider region, including, the launch of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the development of an Occupational Safety and Health Standards Guide in collaboration with the General Organisation for Social Insurance, and the introduction of the National Incentive Program for Compliance and Excellence, among other key efforts.

The key takeaways for promoting a sustainable and high-quality working life, and driving a positive impact on global occupational safety standards are: 

• Promote technical solutions to combat climate change and adapt to heat stress in work environments.
• Prioritize mental health and wellbeing by integrating psychological support in occupational safety and health policies.
• Ensure comprehensive discussions on occupational safety by addressing mental health in addition to common injuries and diseases.
• Include digital economy workers in national safety policies to ensure comprehensive statutory protection.
• Support research centers in conducting field studies to provide evidence-based solutions for occupational risks.
• Encourage international forums to facilitate social dialogue on safety issues.
• Highlight common challenges and successful solutions to promote knowledge sharing.
• Foster experience exchange to advance occupational safety practices and cultures. 
• Build a collaborative channel of sharing information/ best practices to benefit stakeholders and practitioners in occupational safety and health.

GOSH7 was held in Riyadh, fostering an environment of collaborative learning and exchange under the theme, ‘The Future of Occupational Safety and Health.’ The event brought together over 10,000 participants from 53 countries, with key speakers sharing best practices across sectors, and placing strong emphasis on innovation and digital transformation in the field.