Mechanism 2.0 - ADOSH-SF Administration

Abu Dhabi Occupational Safety and
Health System Framework
(ADOSH-SF)
Mechanisms
Mechanism 2.0 – ADOSH-SF Administration
Version 4.0
July 2024

ADOSH-SF – Mechanisms
Mechanism 2.0 – ADOSH-SF Administration
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
Page 2 of 16
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Roles and Responsibilities .......................................................................................................................... 4
2.1 ADPHC ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
2.2 Sector Regulatory Authorities ......................................................................................................... 5
2.3 Sector Regulatory Authority OSH Resource ............................................................................... 6
2.4 SRA OSH Management System ....................................................................................................... 7
2.5 Sector Emergency Management plans.......................................................................................... 7
3. Sector Regulatory Authority Identification and Appointment...................................................... 8
3.1 General requirements .......................................................................................................................... 8
3.2 Sector Assessment Process .............................................................................................................. 8
3.3 Appointment of a Sector Regulatory Authority ........................................................................ 9
4. SRA Performance Management .............................................................................................................. 10
4.1 SRA Annual Action Plans.................................................................................................................. 11
4.2 SRA Performance Monitoring and Reporting............................................................................ 11
5. Performance Monitoring of SRA’s .......................................................................................................... 12
5.1 Withdrawal of Appointment............................................................................................................ 13
6. Document Amendment Record ............................................................................................................... 14

ADOSH-SF – Mechanisms
Mechanism 2.0 – ADOSH-SF Administration
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
Page 3 of 16
1. Introduction
This mechanism outlines all requirements related to the administration of the Abu
Dhabi Occupational Safety and Health System Framework (ADOSH-SF) including:
• The Roles and Responsibilities of ADPHC and the SRA’s;
• Identification and Appointment of Sector Regulatory Authorities; and
• Ongoing performance Management of Sector Regulatory Authorities.
This mechanism has been designed to ensure a fair, transparent and consistent
implementation of the ADOSH-SF.

ADOSH-SF – Mechanisms
Mechanism 2.0 – ADOSH-SF Administration
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
Page 4 of 16
2. Roles and Responsibilities
(a) The following section describes the key roles and responsibilities of ADPHC and the
SRA’s for the administration and implementation of the
ADOSH-SF.
(b) Roles and Responsibilities for sector entities required to develop an internal OSH
management system are held within
ADOSH-SF – Element 1 – Roles, Responsibilities
and Self-Regulation.
2.1 ADPHC
(a) Responsibilities of ADPHC include, but are not limited to the following:
(i) developing, implementing, and updating the
ADOSH-SF and overseeing all
issues relevant to occupational safety and health, including:
1. ensuring the integration of
ADOSH-SF requirements with the requirements
of concerned authorities.
2. developing plans to update the
ADOSH-SF at Emirate level.
3. coordination and cooperation with concerned authorities on all issues
relevant to the
ADOSH-SF.
4. reviewing and approval of OSH MS of entities as required in accordance
with
ADOSH-SF implementation requirements;
5. monitoring the administration and implementation of the ADOSH-SF
through the appointment of SRA’s; and
6. Monitoring the performance of SRA’s through means such as inspection,
auditing and performance reporting.
(ii) establishing and maintaining an OSH database and a unified electronic system
at Emirate level for implementation by all concerned authorities and entities.
(iii) Setting and implementing a system for assessing, registering and monitoring
OSH practitioners and professional entities in coordination with relevant
Authorities.
(iv) Setting, in coordination with relevant authorities, training and competency
programs specific to
ADOSH-SF in order to provide training on the System
Framework for OSH practitioners and other stakeholders.
(v) developing and implementing OSH awareness programs.
(vi) developing an incentive program to promote and encourage ADOSH-SF
implementation.
(vii) finalizing contracts and agreements related to the ADOSH-SF;
(viii) Developing strategic partnerships with local, federal, regional and international
parties;
(ix) conducting relevant OSH surveys and collecting information on OSH issues in
coordination with the concerned authorities;
(x) submitting periodic reports to the Executive Council on OSH performance at
Emirate level; and
(xi) providing information and official publications on OSH to stakeholders.

ADOSH-SF – Mechanisms
Mechanism 2.0 – ADOSH-SF Administration
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
Page 5 of 16
(b) ADPHC can delegate relevant powers for regulating a concerned sector. ADPHC can
also revoke the delegation given to a concerned authority for regulating a sector.
2.2 Sector Regulatory Authorities
(a) By recommendation from ADPHC and appointment from the Executive Council of Abu
Dhabi, the Sector Regulatory Authority shall supervise the implementation of the
ADOSH-SF in its concerned Sector and is specifically responsible for the following:
(i) identifying, nominating and registering entities that shall develop and
implement an internal OSHMS in full compliance with the
ADOSH-SF;
(ii) identifying and notifying medium risk entities that shall develop and implement
OSH control measures in compliance with
ADOSH-SF – Mechanism 5.0 – OSH
Requirements for Medium Risk Entities;
(iii) identifying and notifying low risk entities that shall be managed by the
concerned SRA in a manner relevant to their risk and operation;
(iv) reviewing and approving the OSH MS developed by nominated entities in
compliance with the requirements of the
ADOSH-SF;
(v) monitoring the implementation of the
ADOSH-SF through means such as
periodical inspection and auditing of sector entities, to include as a minimum:
1. High Risk Entities: one SRA audit every three years;
2. Medium Risk Entities: one SRA inspection within 6 months of
notification and then every three years; and
3. Low Risk Entities: one SRA inspection every three years.
(vi) monitoring OSH Internal incident investigations conducted by their sector
entities as per the requirements of
ADOSH-SF – Mechanism 11.0 – Incident
Notification, Investigation and Reporting;
(vii) undertaking OSH incident investigations as directed or required by ADPHC and
as per the requirements of
ADOSH-SF – Mechanism 11.0 - Incident Notification,
Investigation and Reporting;
(viii) conducting appropriate sector awareness activities, in coordination with ADPHC,
as per the requirements of
ADOSH-SF –- Mechanism 12.0 – Notification
Requirements for OSH Awareness Activities.;
(ix) coordinating with ADPHC to ensure alignment and integration of existing and
new OSH requirements (Refer to
ADOSH-SF –- Mechanism 1.0 – Integration of
OSH Requirements in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi);
(x) reporting to ADPHC on the performance of the ADOSH-SF at Sector level as per
ADOSH-SF – Mechanism 6.0 – OSH Performance Monitoring and Reporting; and
(xi) encouraging sector entities to participate in OSH related activities / campaigns.

ADOSH-SF – Mechanisms
Mechanism 2.0 – ADOSH-SF Administration
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
Page 6 of 16
2.3 Sector Regulatory Authority OSH Resource
(a) The top management of the SRA’s shall ensure appropriate resources (human,
financial, equipment, etc) to fully implement the roles, responsibilities and activities
as outlined in:
(i) Decree 42 of 2009;
(ii) ADOSH-SF – Element 1 – Roles, Responsibilities and Self-Regulation;
(iii) ADOSH-SF Mandatory Requirements (Mechanisms, CoP’s, Standards and
Guideline Values); and
(iv) other roles, responsibilities and activities as approved by ADPHC.
Note: as per Section 3.3(b), ADPHC may grant limited specific SRA powers.
(b) OSH SRA’s shall ensure appropriate competent OSH resources are maintained to
successfully implement and monitor the
ADOSH-SF within their concerned Sector.
(c) Concerned SRA’s shall provide support, training, and other capacity building activities
to develop and maintain OSH personnel with the appropriate competency.
(d) The number of OSH personnel required by each concerned SRA is dependent on a
number of factors, which include, but are not limited to:
(i) number of entities operating in the sector and intended to be nominated or
notified to comply with the requirements of the
ADOSH-SF;
(ii) complexity / nature and frequency of operations and activities undertaken; and
(iii) level of OSH capacity and development in the sector.
(e) At a minimum each OSH SRA shall maintain 3 full-time dedicated OSH personnel that
are registered with ADPHC as per
Mechanism 7 – Occupational Safety and Health
Practitioner and Service Provider Registration, as required.
(f) The senior manager in charge of the SRA role shall report directly to a member of top
management within the entity.
(g) A manager / team leader / section head shall be registered with ADPHC as an OSH
Senior Practitioner, as per the requirements of
Mechanism 7– Occupational Safety and
Health Practitioner and Service Provider Registration, and the team shall include at
least one person, additional to the manager / team leader / section head, who holds
an internationally recognized OSH Lead Auditor qualification.
(h) SRA’s shall ensure that staff utilized to undertake audits on behalf of the SRA are
competent and hold an internationally recognized audit qualification.
(i) All audits undertaken by an SRA shall be led by a member of staff holding an
internationally recognized Lead auditor qualification.

ADOSH-SF – Mechanisms
Mechanism 2.0 – ADOSH-SF Administration
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
Page 7 of 16
2.4 SRA OSH Management System
(a) Upon appointment as an SRA, the identified authority / entity shall commit to upgrade
their entity approved OSH MS to include those undertakings associated with the role
of an SRA as required by the
ADOSH-SF.
(b) ADPHC shall verify this through audit.
2.5 Sector Emergency Management plans
(a) Each SRA shall develop, document, implement and maintain systematic procedures for
the management of foreseeable sector wide emergencies within their concerned
sector.
(b) The Sector emergency plans shall comply with the requirements of the latest
published edition of the UAE Business Continuity Management Standard –
AE/HSC/NCEMA 7000: and relevant standards issued by the competent authorities.

ADOSH-SF – Mechanisms
Mechanism 2.0 – ADOSH-SF Administration
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
Page 8 of 16
3. Sector Regulatory Authority Identification and Appointment
3.1 General requirements
(a) As per
ADOSH-SF– Element 1 – Roles, Responsibilities and Self-Regulation, ADPHC, as
the Component Authority for OSH in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and also for the
ADOSH-
SF, has the authority to identify and recommend to the Executive Council of Abu
Dhabi, the appointment of a government entity to undertake the role of a Sector
Regulatory Authority (SRA).
(b) In monitoring the implementation of the
ADOSH-SF, ADPHC may identify certain
additional economic sectors within the Emirate that require a sector regulatory
authority to oversee the implementation of the
ADOSH-SF.
(c) This identification process shall include identification of the most suitable
government authority / entity for ADPHC to recommend appointment to take
responsibility to perform the duties of the Sector Regulatory Authority.
(d) An assessment of identified sectors shall be undertaken as per Section 3.2 of this
document.
(e) ADPHC shall provide the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi a recommendation, based
upon the findings of the sector assessment process, for approval of the concerned
sector and for the identified government authority / entity to be appointed as an OSH
Sector Regulatory Authority (SRA).
3.2 Sector Assessment Process
(a) ADPHC shall officially communicate with an identified authority / entity to notify them
of being recognized as a potential future OSH SRA and to gain relevant information to
assist in the completion of this assessment.
(b) ADPHC shall consider incorporating new sectors, where possible, to existing SRA’s to
minimize the number of SRA’s where allowed by existing mandates / laws.
(c) The assessment shall include, but not limited to:
(i) risk and hazard assessment of the Sector:
(ii) number of entities operating in the Sector;
(iii) approximate number of employees working in the Sector;
(iv) level of complexity / nature and frequency of operations and activities
undertaken;
(v) storage and/or utilization of hazardous materials;
(vi) operations in or near sensitive locations;
(vii) profile of the Sector (e.g., public profile, media profile and coverage, etc);
(viii) interactions with existing OSH Sectors and SRA’s;
(ix) current level of OSH implementation and capacity; and

ADOSH-SF – Mechanisms
Mechanism 2.0 – ADOSH-SF Administration
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
Page 9 of 16
(x) possible timeframes of implementation of the
ADOSH-SF in the concerned
sector.
(d) The process shall also assess the identified authority / entity in terms of, but not
limited to:
(i) OSH authority(s) under Establishment Law(s) and other relevant laws, decrees,
regulations;
(ii) other government authorities that may have powers in the concerned sector;
(iii) current resources levels (including inspections / licensing, etc); and
(iv) OSH budget requirements.
3.3 Appointment of a Sector Regulatory Authority
(a) If results of the assessment lead ADPHC to believe that the sector and the identified
government authority / entity are ready to begin implementation of the
ADOSH-SF,
ADPHC shall recommend the same to the executive Council of Abu Dhabi for approval.
(b) ADPHC may decide that the identified sector and/or potential SRA shall undertake a
phased approach to the implementation of the
ADOSH-SF. ADPHC may also delegate
limited SRA powers to an appropriate authority / entity to perform a number of specific
ADOSH-SF tasks and activities (e.g. collating and submitting OSH Incident and
Performance data of subsidiary entities).
(c) The recommendation to the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi shall include:
(i) Overview of the proposed sector, including:
1. Number of entities operating;
2. Level of risk within the sector; and
3. Current OSH capacity within the sector.
(ii) Budget requirements;
(iii) Staff / resource requirements; and
(iv) Implementation plan within the proposed sector.
(d) If the recommendation is approved by the Executive Council, ADPHC shall initiate
official communication and planning with the new SRA (e.g., to agree timelines and
implementation action plans) for the new sector.

ADOSH-SF – Mechanisms
Mechanism 2.0 – ADOSH-SF Administration
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
Page 10 of 16
4. SRA Performance Management
(a) ADPHC shall, on an annual basis, issue Annual Performance Targets for all SRA’s to
comply with. Refer to table 1 below for timelines.
(b) The annual performance targets shall be issued by official communication from
ADPHC.
(c) Annual Performance Targets may be issued as general targets across all SRA’s or as
targets per individual SRA, based on the specific SRA previous performance.
(d) Annual Performance Targets shall be decided based upon the following:
(i) ADOSH-SF – Mechanisms;
(ii) Previous year’s performance;
(iii) Available resource(s);
(iv) Other SRA performance;
(v) Feedback from SRA’s;
(vi) Objectives of ADPHC strategic plans; and
(vii) Requirements set by the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi.
Timescale August September October November
Owner ADPHC ADPHC SRA ADPHC
Action
Initial targets
set for each
year will be
based on
previous mid-
year
performance
Targets
communicated
to, and agreed
with, SRA’s.
SRA develops
Action plan
based on
targets and
submits to
ADPHC.
Action Plan for
the next
calendar year
approved.
Table 1: Action plan timelines

ADOSH-SF – Mechanisms
Mechanism 2.0 – ADOSH-SF Administration
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
Page 11 of 16
4.1 SRA Annual Action Plans
(a) Each SRA shall develop and document an annual action plan in compliance to the SRA’s
Annual Performance Targets as defined in section 4 of this document.
(b) SRA’s shall utilise the SRA action plan template prescribed by ADPHC.
(c) The annual action plan shall be reviewed internally by the SRA and approved by its
top management.
(d) Following internal approval, the annual action plan shall be sent to ADPHC for formal
approval prior to implementation.
(e) ADPHC shall officially notify the SRA of approval or otherwise.
4.2 SRA Performance Monitoring and Reporting
(a) Requirements of this section shall be in addition to sector performance requirements
described within
ADOSH-SF – Mechanism 6.0 – OSH Performance Monitoring and
Reporting.
(b) Each SRA shall report progress against each of the identified Annual Performance
Targets quarterly.
(c) Where the SRA is not meeting identified targets, this shall be communicated internally
to its top management for resolution.
(d) Quarterly and annual reports to ADPHC shall include:
(i) Justification for current performance levels;
(ii) Corrective actions to rectify poor performance; and
(iii) Request to change / update performance target (if required).

ADOSH-SF – Mechanisms
Mechanism 2.0 – ADOSH-SF Administration
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
Page 12 of 16
5. Performance Monitoring of SRA’s
(a) ADPHC shall monitor the performance of SRA’s for implementation of the ADOSH-SF
and its’ requirements through a number of means including but not limited to:
(i) Audits;
(ii) OSH Performance reports; and
(iii) Performance review meetings.
(b) Issues identified as a result of performance monitoring shall be officially
communicated to the relevant SRA.
(c) Where SRA’s are seen to consistently fail to meet annual action plan / performance
requirements:
(i) ADPHC shall invite the SRA for a meeting to discuss performance and corrective
action. The meeting shall be documented and attended by a member of top
management from the SRA.
(ii) The meeting agenda shall cover:
1. Current status of the SRA;
2. Issues leading to current performance; and
3. Corrective action plan.
(iii) The relevant SRA shall develop a detailed action plan to rectify the performance
issues within the SRA. The action plan shall be no longer than 3 calendar months
and shall be incorporated into the annual action plan described in section 4.1 of
this document.
(iv) The SRA shall update ADPHC on the progress of implementation on a monthly
basis through formal meetings. The meeting shall be recorded.
(d) ADPHC shall provide the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi with an annual report on the
overall performance of all SRA’s, including benchmarking of performance.

ADOSH-SF – Mechanisms
Mechanism 2.0 – ADOSH-SF Administration
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
Page 13 of 16
5.1 Withdrawal of Appointment
(a) As the competent authority for OSH and the
ADOSH-SF in the emirate of Abu Dhabi,
ADPHC has the right to recommend to the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi withdrawal
of appointment as an SRA.
(b) Recommending withdrawal of appointment as an SRA shall be based upon:
(i) Performance issues (as per section 5 of this document);
(ii) Changes in policies, laws, direction of Abu Dhabi Government; and
(iii) Change of ADPHC Policy / Direction.
(c) Prior to recommending the withdrawal of appointment of the SRA role, ADPHC shall
meet with the SRA to review and agree the following:
(i) Redeployment of SRA OSH resources;
(ii) OSH Budgets;
(iii) Handover plan; and
(iv) On-going issues.
(d) ADPHC’s recommendation of withdrawal to the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi shall
cover the issues identified in clause 5.1(c).

ADOSH-SF – Mechanisms
Mechanism 2.0 – ADOSH-SF Administration
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
Page 14 of 16
6. Document Amendment Record
Version Revision Date Description of Amendment
Page/s Affected
4.0
15 th July 2024
System acronym updated from OSHAD-SF
to ADOSH-SF to accurately reflect
document title
Throughout
Change from OSHAD to ADPHC
Change of Logo
Minor editorial changes throughout the
document without changing requirements.
Title of Mechanism 7.0 updated to ADOSH-
SF – Mechanism 7– Occupational Safety
and Health Practitioner and Service
Provider Registration
6
OSHAD-SF - Mechanism 8.0 - OSH
Practitioner Registration deleted
In Section 2.3(g), change from Grade A
Generalist to OSH Senior Practitioner
Clause 3.2(d)(ii) deleted
9

ADOSH-SF – Mechanisms
Mechanism 2.0 – ADOSH-SF Administration
Version 4.0 – 15 th July 2024
Page 15 of 16