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The President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Mr. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, affirmed that smart technologies and digital transformation serve as essential pillars in supporting occupational safety and health (OSH) and enhancing protection within airports and aviation facilities. He emphasized that this is one of GACA’s top priorities, particularly in light of the sector’s rapid growth and expansion.

This came during H.E. Al-Duailej’s participation in the panel discussion titled “Integrating National Efforts and the Role of the Private Sector in Enhancing Occupational Safety and Health in the Transport and Logistics Sector: A Strategic Vision for a Sustainable Future”, held as part of the 7th International Conference on Occupational Safety and Health 2025, taking place from 4 to 6 May at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh under the theme: “The Future of Occupational Safety and Health.”

Mr. Al-Duailej noted that the Authority is working to enhance the airport work environment through an integrated system of advanced technologies. These include intelligent monitoring systems for working conditions linked to real-time surveillance cameras, predictive analytics based on big data to identify risk indicators, training programs utilizing virtual and augmented reality technologies, and smart geolocation systems to track vehicles and equipment on the airside — all contributing to improved traffic management and collision prevention.

H.E. noted that GACA implements executive regulations aligned with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD)’s frameworks, covering safe workplace requirements, use of protective equipment, regulated working hours, mandatory training, incident reporting and investigation, and comprehensive risk assessment and management. These efforts aim to maintain a balanced approach between sectoral growth and the safety of national human capital.

H.E. also highlighted that GACA requires airport operators and air service providers to implement effective Safety Management Systems (SMS), conduct precise and periodic risk assessments for construction projects, and deliver comprehensive awareness and training programs for all operational personnel. The emergency response teams are also being prepared in line with the highest international standards.

Furthermore, GACA maintains strategic relationships with several international organizations including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and Airports Council International (ACI), along with aviation authorities worldwide. These partnerships support the exchange of best practices, organization of joint training programs, participation in international secondment schemes, support for research and studies on occupational hazards, and the development of smart solutions such as AI applications and predictive monitoring to enhance safety performance.

It is worth noting that the 7th Global Occupational Safety and Health Conference (GOSH7) serves as a leading scientific platform to explore the future of occupational safety globally. The conference aims to develop preventive policies and procedures, facilitate the exchange of international experiences, and showcase the latest technologies that contribute to safe and sustainable work environments aligned with development and quality of life objectives.