The mission of Qatar Steel’s Occupational Health Center (OHC) is to nurture and facilitate a healthy workforce. OHC covers three domains: Primary Health Care, Occupational Health Services, and Emergency Medicine. The center aims to maintain and improve employees’ health and well-being through pre-employment medical exams, periodic medical exams, and special exams for employees exposed to hazards. While the focus has been to cover those exposed to hazards, the center is planning to expand this focus to examine all employees over the age of 40.
Qatar Steel’s Health, Safety, and Security department provides training on topics such as heat stress, health and hygiene, the dangers of smoking, and ergonomics. As part of the company’s focus on preventative medicine, its clinics provide one-on-one consultations for employees, conduct vaccination campaigns, and regularly check staff for Vitamin D deficiency.
Qatar Steel periodically measures the health and safety indicators, which are reviewed during the company’s quarterly meetings. In 2018, these efforts will be expanded further through the creation of a newer and larger health clinic, which will be similar to a small intensive care unit. OHC intends to create an on-site pharmacy, and is currently working with local authorities in order to gain the proper permits necessary to dispense medication. This will be of great benefit to Qatar Steel employees, as they will not need to travel to the pharmacy after working hours to pick up certain medications.
Occupational health indicators
2015
2016
2017
Employee Occupational Illnesses
4
2
31*
Health Screening (completed vs planned) (%)
77
106
129
*This number has increased due to a new set of tested parameters, like age and nature of job, which were added to the list of screening for the employees during periodic medical examinations.
