Beyond numbers: building a human-centered safety culture

With more than 30 years of experience in the industry, I have always emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe work environment. A successful health and safety culture cannot be achieved by one person; it starts from the top down. I believe that creating an environment where my project and safety managers feel empowered to make decisions and take ownership of their work has been crucial to our achievements. My team is proactive in their approach, ensuring that we are equipped with the knowledge and tools to safely navigate their tasks. I am proud to say that through countless site health, safety and welfare leadership tours, I have developed a truly special relationship with my colleagues.

Our commitment to health and safety regulations can be seen in the work we do on some of our biggest projects. Just look at our work on the Lusail Expressway, on which we have surpassed 33 million safe work hours, or the Al Khufoos Street Project and Corniche Project, for which we were awarded the Green Award Certificate in 2022. To be able to say that we have achieved such great milestones with zero lost workday accidents is a great honor. Achievements like these make me grateful to be a part of such a fantastic team where I can trust my managers to adhere to guidelines and run a successful operation. 

I believe that creating an environment where my project and safety managers feel empowered to make decisions and take ownership of their work has been crucial to our achievements.

Nothing compares to real-world experience, and my managers face that every day. Their ability to assess situations and put the well-being of employees and clients first is what makes our work so special. I trust my team to always do the right thing all the time when it comes to safety, and I have seen them carry that out time and time again. From helping site visitors wear proper safety gear to giving in-depth tours of how we maintain a safe work environment, my safety and project managers are always ready to be tested. 

I'm reminded that behind every statistic, every award and every regulation lies a life, a family and a future. That's why I firmly believe that health and safety is more than just a program, but a personal promise to my team and to every project. A promise to create a space where we can all thrive, where risks are identified and mitigated, and where every action we take reflects our shared commitment to each other's well-being. It's not just about achieving goals; it's about going home safe and sound every day - that's the true measure of our success and something I lead by every day. 

Shahid Khan is a senior vice president and country manager in our Doha, Qatar office.