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About Mathew Thomas
Mathew Thomas is a Chartered Health, Safety, Environment, and Sustainability professional with over 15 years of experience across construction and infrastructure projects in the Middle East and India. He hold a Master of Engineering in Industrial Safety Engineering and is currently in the final semester of his MSc in Global Sustainability Engineering at Heriot-Watt University, Dubai. He is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP®), a Chartered Member of IOSH, and hold the NEBOSH International Diploma. He currently works as a Senior HSE Advisor at KEO International Consultants, specialising in HSE management systems, risk management, and sustainability integration.
List the Safety and Health achievements/contributions you have achieved in 2025.
In 2025, Mathew Thomas led Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) management across multiple high-rise construction projects in the UAE, achieving zero Lost Time Injuries (LTI) and maintaining a strong safety record. He implemented risk-based HSE strategies to enhance hazard identification, control measures, and proactive risk management across all project phases.
He strengthened contractor HSE performance by ensuring compliance with regulatory, client, and international standards, including ISO 45001. Through regular inspections, audits, and site engagement, he proactively addressed unsafe conditions and behaviours, improving overall safety performance.
He delivered targeted HSE training and awareness programmes, enhancing workforce competency and promoting a positive safety culture. He also supported worker welfare initiatives that improved morale and productivity.
Additionally, he integrated sustainability and environmental practices into project activities, aligning with ESG and Net Zero objectives. Through strong leadership and collaboration, he consistently drove continuous improvement and high-performance HSE outcomes.
He strengthened contractor HSE performance by ensuring compliance with regulatory, client, and international standards, including ISO 45001. Through regular inspections, audits, and site engagement, he proactively addressed unsafe conditions and behaviours, improving overall safety performance.
He delivered targeted HSE training and awareness programmes, enhancing workforce competency and promoting a positive safety culture. He also supported worker welfare initiatives that improved morale and productivity.
Additionally, he integrated sustainability and environmental practices into project activities, aligning with ESG and Net Zero objectives. Through strong leadership and collaboration, he consistently drove continuous improvement and high-performance HSE outcomes.
Outline the Workplace Safety and Health initiatives that have been implemented by you in your workplace in 2025.
In 2025, Mathew Thomas implemented several key Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) initiatives across high-rise construction projects in the UAE to enhance safety performance and worker wellbeing. He introduced a risk-based safety management approach, strengthening hazard identification through task-specific risk assessments and daily briefings.
He enhanced contractor safety performance by standardising HSE inspections, audits, and compliance tracking aligned with ISO 45001 requirements. Behaviour-Based Safety (BBS) initiatives were reinforced through safety observations, leadership walkdowns, and engagement with frontline workers.
He developed and delivered targeted training programmes, including high-risk activities such as working at height, lifting operations, and confined space entry. Additionally, he promoted worker welfare initiatives, including heat stress management, hydration programmes, and wellbeing campaigns.
Digital reporting and tracking tools were utilised to improve incident reporting, data analysis, and timely corrective actions. He also integrated environmental and sustainability practices into site operations, aligning safety initiatives with broader ESG and Net Zero objectives.
He enhanced contractor safety performance by standardising HSE inspections, audits, and compliance tracking aligned with ISO 45001 requirements. Behaviour-Based Safety (BBS) initiatives were reinforced through safety observations, leadership walkdowns, and engagement with frontline workers.
He developed and delivered targeted training programmes, including high-risk activities such as working at height, lifting operations, and confined space entry. Additionally, he promoted worker welfare initiatives, including heat stress management, hydration programmes, and wellbeing campaigns.
Digital reporting and tracking tools were utilised to improve incident reporting, data analysis, and timely corrective actions. He also integrated environmental and sustainability practices into site operations, aligning safety initiatives with broader ESG and Net Zero objectives.
Describe and support in detail on how your influencing capability has assisted in the successful implementation of these initiatives.
Mathew Thomas' influencing capability played a key role in the successful implementation of Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) initiatives in 2025. He adopted a collaborative approach to engage clients, consultants, contractors, and the workforce, ensuring alignment with project safety objectives.
Through visible leadership, he participated in site walkdowns, safety meetings, and toolbox talks, reinforcing expectations and building trust across all levels. He effectively communicated the importance of safety by linking it to project performance, which helped gain commitment from senior management and contractor teams.
He used data from inspections, audits, and incident trends to influence decision-making and prioritise high-risk areas. Presenting clear insights and practical solutions supported timely corrective actions.
He also promoted a proactive safety culture by encouraging open communication, empowering workers to report hazards, and recognising safe behaviours.
Through consistent engagement, communication, and follow-up, he ensured WSH initiatives were effectively implemented and sustained, contributing to improved safety performance and zero LTI.
Through visible leadership, he participated in site walkdowns, safety meetings, and toolbox talks, reinforcing expectations and building trust across all levels. He effectively communicated the importance of safety by linking it to project performance, which helped gain commitment from senior management and contractor teams.
He used data from inspections, audits, and incident trends to influence decision-making and prioritise high-risk areas. Presenting clear insights and practical solutions supported timely corrective actions.
He also promoted a proactive safety culture by encouraging open communication, empowering workers to report hazards, and recognising safe behaviours.
Through consistent engagement, communication, and follow-up, he ensured WSH initiatives were effectively implemented and sustained, contributing to improved safety performance and zero LTI.
Describe and provide support on how your initiative impacted the Safety and Health management and performance of your workplace/community/industry that was above and beyond.
In 2025, Mathew Thomas' initiatives went beyond compliance by fostering a proactive, performance-driven safety culture across multiple high-rise projects. Through risk-based HSE strategies and Behaviour-Based Safety (BBS) programmes, he shifted the focus to early hazard identification and prevention, increasing near-miss reporting and enabling timely interventions.
He strengthened contractor accountability through structured monitoring and performance reviews, improving compliance and engagement. Worker welfare initiatives, including heat stress management and wellbeing programmes, enhanced morale and productivity.
He also integrated sustainability into HSE practices, aligning safety performance with ESG and Net Zero objectives.
These initiatives improved safety maturity, enhanced collaboration, and contributed to achieving zero Lost Time Injuries (LTI), demonstrating a measurable impact on overall safety performance.
He strengthened contractor accountability through structured monitoring and performance reviews, improving compliance and engagement. Worker welfare initiatives, including heat stress management and wellbeing programmes, enhanced morale and productivity.
He also integrated sustainability into HSE practices, aligning safety performance with ESG and Net Zero objectives.
These initiatives improved safety maturity, enhanced collaboration, and contributed to achieving zero Lost Time Injuries (LTI), demonstrating a measurable impact on overall safety performance.
In your opinion, what are the attributes of a safety influencer? Do share with us on how you have demonstrated these attributes in your daily work that will earn you the recognition of a WSHAsia Safety Influencer Award Winner in your workplace/community/industry.
According to Mathew Thomas, a safety influencer demonstrates integrity, effective communication, engagement, positive influence, and strong leadership. They lead by example, act ethically, and build trust across all levels to inspire ownership of safety beyond compliance.
In his daily work, he demonstrates integrity through transparent reporting, fair decisions, and consistent adherence to safety standards. Through clear communication and active engagement, he interacts with workers during site walkdowns, toolbox talks, and meetings, ensuring expectations are understood while listening to concerns.
He applies positive influence by encouraging proactive hazard reporting, recognising safe behaviours, and motivating teams to take responsibility for safety. Using data from inspections and audits, he guides informed decisions and focus on high-risk areas.
His collaborative approach with clients, consultants, and contractors strengthens alignment and continuous improvement. Through these attributes, he has contributed to achieving high safety standards, including zero LTI, while fostering a strong and engaged safety culture.
In his daily work, he demonstrates integrity through transparent reporting, fair decisions, and consistent adherence to safety standards. Through clear communication and active engagement, he interacts with workers during site walkdowns, toolbox talks, and meetings, ensuring expectations are understood while listening to concerns.
He applies positive influence by encouraging proactive hazard reporting, recognising safe behaviours, and motivating teams to take responsibility for safety. Using data from inspections and audits, he guides informed decisions and focus on high-risk areas.
His collaborative approach with clients, consultants, and contractors strengthens alignment and continuous improvement. Through these attributes, he has contributed to achieving high safety standards, including zero LTI, while fostering a strong and engaged safety culture.
No. of Years of Experience in a Safety Role:
15 Years