OMAN ENERGY ASSOCIATION (OPAL)
ABOUT OPAL
The Oman Energy Association (OPAL), established in 1998, is the leading non-profit organization advancing excellence in Oman’s energy sector. Based in the Sultanate of Oman, OPAL is committed to enhancing industry standards in health, safety, and environment (HSE). Renowned for its leadership in developing national occupational standards—particularly in critical areas such as lifting operations—OPAL is steadfast in its mission to achieve a transformative goal: zero fatalities and serious injuries across the industry.
‘RTITB is very professional and
very responsive. The team are always willing
to collaborate and to find ways to support our national occupational standards. This helps training institutes to adopt best practices for training and safety. For us, it is about more than benchmarking standards this is a long relationship that will continue in the coming years.
RTITB’s commitment to establishing a local Middle East office and employing local nationals has been highly appreciated by OPAL, as it demonstrates a genuine effort to bring additional value to the Sultanate of Oman.’
TURKIYA AL ADAWI, GM HCD, ICV & CSR INITIATIVES
(Oman Energy Association (OPAL)
THE CHALLENGE
Years ago, Oman’s oil and gas industry faced significant challenges due to the urgent need to improve safety standards. Incidents in the sector often resulted in tragic loss of life and considerable economic disruptions. Although national standards were eventually introduced, there was a pressing need to further enhance the competency of lifting equipment operations and align practices with international benchmarks. To meet this challenge, a recognized partner was required to elevate training and assessment, prevent accidents, and ensure the highest levels of safety.
WHAT OPAL HAS ACHIEVED WITH RTITB:
- International Standards: Working together with RTITB, OPAL has updated its national occupational standards for lifting equipment to ensure that operator competency is a key focus. The collaboration has also focused on developing human capital by
upskilling trainers. This is helping to support better overall safety in lifting operations. - Unified Assessments: OPAL and RTITB have created unified assessments, incorporating both national and international standards.vThis has strengthened the certification process while ensuring that assessments cater to the specific types of equipment used locally and the operating environment. Operators have an internationally recognized qualification while also demonstrating they meet OPAL standards.
- Enhanced Quality: The partnership has improved the quality and consistency of training institutes, training, and assessments
overall. It helps ensure that training institutes are all adhering to the same high standards for operator training.
- Reduction in false certificates: The collaboration has helped reduce the prevalence of fake operator certificates by implementing a robust certification system. Certification, in the form of operator cards, are issued for lifting operators based on their skill level, in line with assessment standards set by RTITB & OPAL. Only operators with the mentioned certification can work for industry.
- Local Office Support: The establishment of RTITB Middle East, with a local office and team based in Oman, has provided close support, ensuring compliance with quality requirements and facilitating face-to-face engagement. The international RTITB team is also highly responsive and supportive. They are regularly available to meet with OPAL in Oman for critical meetings around planning and quality assurance.
- Defensive Driving Training & Assessment Scheme: The OPAL Quality and Accreditation department is now working with RTITB
in the development of training & assessment packs for OPAL Defensive Driving Training & Assessment Scheme, Train the Trainer courses and assessments that will help improve the quality of training delivered by Instructors for defensive driving courses.
RTITB will also work with OPAL to provide training institute accreditation and approvals for the Dangerous Goods Driver Training Suite, Safe Vehicle Loading training program, and more.
RTITB Membership & Training:
RTITB started working in Oman in 2013, looking at ways to improve lifting operation standards in the oil and gas sector with PDO (Petroleum Development Oman). In 2022, RTITB partnered with OPAL to deliver the Oman National Occupational Standard Project for Lifting Operations Training and Skill Certification assessment scheme. RTITB provides instructors training and quality assurance for OPAL’s Lifting Operation scheme, Dangerous Goods Driver Training, and other training programs.
Our Latest News
RTITB Middle East Welcomes 7 New Members In 2024
As 2024 ends, RTITB Middle East celebrates a successful year of raising safety and training standards across the region. A major milestone this year has been welcoming 7 new Accredited Training Institutes into our growing network.
Oman-based Head Office for RTITB Middle East
RTITB, a leading workplace transport training accrediting body, has established RTITB Middle East as a wholly owned subsidiary of RTITB Limited. Its new permanent headquarters is based in Muscat, Oman.
RTITB Appoints Dedicated Regional Manager for Middle East
RTITB is pleased to announce Abdullah Al Busaidi as its new Regional Manager for the Middle East. This forms part of RTITB’s strategy to expand its presence in the region and grow the number of RTITB partners.
RTITB Middle East Wins OPAL Award for Best Practices
RTITB Middle East has received an award at the OPAL Awards for Best Practices 2024. It recognises RTITB Middle East's impressive ...
RTITB Middle East Welcomes 7 New Members In 2024
As 2024 ends, RTITB Middle East celebrates a successful year of raising safety and training standards across the region. A major milestone this year has been welcoming 7 new Accredited Training Institutes into our growing network.
Oman-based Head Office for RTITB Middle East
RTITB, a leading workplace transport training accrediting body, has established RTITB Middle East as a wholly owned subsidiary of RTITB Limited. Its new permanent headquarters is based in Muscat, Oman.