In the past, Oman’s oil and gas industry has faced significant challenges. Incidents in the sector often resulted in tragic loss of life. And economic disruptions. Oman Energy Association (OPAL) has partnered with RTITB Middle East. To help elevate training and assessment, prevent accidents, and ensure the highest levels of safety.
In this blog, we share six ways we have worked together with OPAL to improve skills and safety standards.
Read about what OPAL has achieved with RTITB in this case study.
- International Training and Safety Standards
National standards were introduced some time ago in the Sultanate of Oman. However, there has been a pressing need to further enhance the competency of lifting equipment operations. And to align practices with international benchmarks.
As a recognized partner, RTITB Middle East has worked closely with OPAL. Together they have updated the 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 Lifting Equipment Operator Assessments
OPAL and RTITB have created unified assessments, incorporating both national and international standards.
This 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 showing they meet OPAL standards.
- Enhanced Quality for Lifting Equipment Training and Assessments
The partnership between RTITB Middle East and OPAL has improved quality and consistency. For training institutes, training, and assessments overall. It helps ensure that training institutes all adhere to the same high standards for operator training.
- Quality Checks for Operator and Instructor Qualifications
Counterfeit operator certificates have been an issue in the past, posing a huge safety risk.
The collaboration between RTITB Middle East and OPAL 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 and OPAL. Only operators with the mentioned certification can work within the industry.
- Local Office Support
RTITB Middle East has established a local office and team, based in Muscat, Oman. This enables close support to ensure compliance with quality requirements. And facilitates 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.
RTITB is committed to establishing a dedicated Middle East office, and employing local nationals. This demonstrates a genuine effort to bring additional value to the Sultanate of Oman. RTITB was recognised for this with the OPAL Award for Best Practices 2024.
- Defensive Driving Training
The OPAL Quality and Accreditation department now works with RTITB to develop training packs. This is for OPAL Defensive Driving Train the Trainer courses. It 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 Middle East and OPAL: An Invaluable Partnership
RTITB Middle East is keen to continue its collaboration with OPAL. To find ways to support its national occupational standards. This will help training institutes to adopt best practices for training and safety. It is about more than benchmarking standards. This is a long relationship that will continue in the coming years.
Find out more about working with RTITB Middle East. Contact us by email or via WhatsApp/call: +968 92806270.
Author: Abdullah Al Busaidi, Regional Director Middle East, RTITB
As Regional Director for RTITB Middle East, Abdullah Al Busaidi is based in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, where he works closely with regional stakeholders, training institutes and industry representatives.
He is a knowledgeable and experienced leader, coach, and training practitioner. He has worked in relevant industries for more than two decades. These include oil and gas, logistics, and aviation.
Abdullah is passionate about raising standards and safety in workplace transport operations in the Middle East, helping support efficiency, and ultimately help save lives.
Find Abdullah Al Busaidi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdullah-al-busaidi-90570361/