Occupational Health & Safety Position Statement

Introduction

Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) recognises the importance of health, safety, and environmental considerations in maintaining a secure and productive work environment. QIB regards its employees as its most valuable asset and acknowledges that injuries, illness, or unsafe conditions can result in the loss of work time, reduced productivity, and reputational impacts.

A safe and healthy workplace enhances morale and efficiency and represents a sound investment in long-term sustainability and operational excellence. QIB therefore commits to safeguarding the health and safety of all employees, contractors, and visitors through effective risk management, training, and compliance with applicable regulations.

Commitment

QIB is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace and continually improving Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) performance. The bank devotes the necessary resources to prevent injuries, protect employee well-being, and maintain healthy, hazard-free premises.

QIB will continue to strive to:

• Develop, implement, and maintain programs that prevent injury and illness and align with QIB’s internal Health and Safety Policy and procedures.
• Meet or exceed all national laws, Qatar Civil Defence and MOI regulations, and relevant international standards, including BS ISO 45001, ensuring that workplace hazards are identified and mitigated as far as reasonably practicable.
• Escalate significant health and safety risks to senior management for appropriate consideration and action.
• Hold every employee accountable for complying with and supporting the Occupational Health and Safety Policy and related programs.
• Provide appropriate resources, equipment, and training to ensure all employees can perform their duties safely and confidently.

Objectives

The objective of QIB’s OHS approach is to achieve a zero‑accident workplace by integrating health and safety considerations into every aspect of operations. This objective is pursued through:

• Making health and safety an integral component of all work activities, planning, and decision‑making.
• Engaging employees through communication, consultation, and training programs that encourage proactive participation.
• Identifying workplace hazards through systematic hazard identification and risk assessment, and taking timely corrective action.
• Preventing potential incidents by enforcing strong safety procedures and promoting continual awareness of risks.

OHS Implementation and Practices

• Safety training and awareness: All new employees receive safety induction briefings covering evacuation routes, fire wardens, safety officers, muster points, fire systems, and emergency procedures. Existing staff attend periodic refresher training, including Fire Warden and First Aid courses delivered by certified providers.
• Emergency preparedness: Fire evacuation drills are conducted regularly. The senior Safety or Security Officer on site has the authority to order evacuation when necessary.
• Safety inspections and maintenance: SSD head, Safety Officer, and Facilities and Maintenance staff are required to supervise preventive and corrective maintenance for all fire detection and suppression systems.
• Fire safety systems: All QIB facilities are equipped with approved fire detection and suppression systems, designed and maintained by certified contractors. QIB will not occupy or lease premises that fail to meet applicable codes.
• Office environment and ergonomics: The Facilities & Maintenance department will monitor and maintain office comfort—temperature 21–25°C, humidity 40–60%, lighting 300–1,000 lux at desk level with reduced glare, and noise 40–60 dB—while providing ergonomic furniture and regular cleaning, with security inspecting service quality.
• First aid readiness: Each floor, branch, and office maintains accessible first‑aid kits inspected monthly by SSD. Trained first aiders are available at all locations, and all injuries, however minor, are reported promptly.
• Contractor safety: All service providers and contractors must comply with QIB’s safety standards and submit method statements addressing safety impacts before starting work on the premises.

Health, Environment, and Safety Policies

QIB enforces specific policies under the OHS framework, including:

• Non-smoking policy: Smoking is prohibited in all QIB premises except in designated smoking areas approved by the Premises & Projects Department, clearly marked and ventilated.
• Recycling and conservation policy: QIB promotes reduction, reuse, and recycling practices, conserves energy and paper, and encourages staff to adopt environmentally responsible habits such as turning off lights, limiting printing, and optimising air-conditioning use.
• Fire safety and egress: Exit routes and emergency signage comply with Qatar Civil Defence Department (QCDD) standards and must remain unobstructed at all times. Use of open flames or incense is strictly prohibited.
• Electrical safety: Electrical panels remain accessible with at least one meter clearance, and only compliant, undamaged extension cords are permitted.

Continuous Improvement

• Reviewing policies and procedures annually to incorporate new regulations, lessons learned, and technological improvements.
• Conducting regular internal inspections and audits by the Safety & Security Department to verify compliance and performance.
• Updating training materials and awareness content in light of audit results or incident analyses.
• Benchmarking OHS practices against industry and regulatory standards to ensure alignment with best practice.

Reporting and Accountability

All incidents, unsafe conditions, and occupational injuries are to be reported immediately to the Safety & Security Department or the employee’s direct supervisor. The Business Services Division (BSD) maintains detailed records of inspections, incidents, and corrective actions for monitoring and audit purposes.

Key findings and annual OHS performance summaries are reviewed by Executive Management and disclosed in QIB’s Sustainability Report to demonstrate transparency and alignment with ESG frameworks.

Endorsement and Review

This policy is endorsed by Executive Management and administered by the Head of Business Services Division. It forms part of QIB’s Business Services Division Policy and is reviewed annually, or earlier if operational or regulatory changes occur, in accordance with the bank’s Policy Management Framework.