The agreement between the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and the Oman Society for Petroleum Services (OPAL) cements the working relationship between the two bodies. Representatives signed the MoU at IOSH’s Middle East Conference in Muscat, Oman. OPAL is the pioneer society in Oman for oil and gas organisations. It is a not-for-profit body whose objective is to provide proactive services to its member base and drive relevant initiatives for the benefit of Oman’s economy. OPAL said the memorandum means it can work with IOSH to introduce, consolidate and embed universally-accepted workplace health and safety standards across the Sultanate’s critical-important hydrocarbons industry. Underpinning the agreement is a commitment by both sides to collaborate in the formulation of mutually beneficial health and safety projects designed to further enhance competence in the oil and gas sector in the Sultanate. In addition to sharing best practices in relevant areas, the two organisations will also explore opportunities for cooperation in advancing OPAL’s health, safety and environment objectives, including through educational programmes and campaigns. Signing the memorandum on behalf of OPAL was Majid al Toky, chairman of its board of directors, and its CEO Musallam Al Mandhry, while IOSH was represented by its president Dr Karen McDonnell. In a statement Mr Al Mandhry said the agreement provides a platform for the two organisations to share information and learnings on occupational health and safety-related issues for the benefit of stakeholders across the globe. He added: “Both organisations view this MoU as the beginning of a symbiotic partnership between OPAL and IOSH which will have an important and positive influence amongst occupational safety and health experts of the oil and gas sector from Oman and IOSH members around the world.” Dr McDonnell said: “This marks another significant step forward for safety and health in this region, cementing the relationship between our organisations as we seek to encourage and educate Omani workplaces on the value of safety and health in protecting lives and livelihoods.” IOSH’s seventh annual Middle East Conference is being held at the Grand Hyatt in Muscat on the theme of leadership in the workplace.