5th International Conference on Occupational and Environmental Health
ICOEH 2026 : COMING SOON
Karma Dhendup
First Aid Chief Instructor, Bhutan Red Cross Society
Karma Dhendup is a seasoned health professional currently serving as the Health Officer and First Aid Chief Instructor at the Bhutan Red Cross Society. With a diverse clinical and academic background, he holds a Masters in Public Health (Implementation Science), a specialized qualification sponsored by WHO-TDR that focuses on bridging the gap between health research and practical field application. Beginning his career as a Cardiovascular Technologist with a Bachelors in Cardiology, Mr. Dhendup combines technical clinical expertise with high-level public health strategy.
In his current leadership role, he oversees vital community health initiatives and serves as the lead authority for first aid instruction in Bhutan. His unique blend of implementation science and emergency response experience makes him a key expert in developing scalable health interventions and strengthening community-based emergency preparedness across the kingdom.
Jurmey Thinley
Director and lead OHS Trainer, ITPL, Bhutan
Jurmey Thinley is the Director and lead OHS Trainer at the Institute of Technology and Professional Learnings (ITPL) in Bhutan. With extensive experience in operations and a deep-seated understanding of the construction industry, he specializes in developing and delivering competency-based training programs that bridge the gap between international safety standards and local industrial practices.
A dedicated advocate for labour protection and workforce development, Mr. Thinley focuses on building national capacity by empowering safety professionals and supervisors with the technical skills necessary to ensure safe, compliant, and productive work environments across the region.
Thomas H Gassert
Occupational Safety & Health Consultant, USA
Thomas H. Gassert is an experienced occupational safety and health professional from the United States with extensive expertise in workplace safety, industrial risk management, and occupational health programs. He has been involved in developing and implementing safety standards, conducting training programs, and advising organizations on best practices to ensure safe and healthy working environments.
With years of professional experience in occupational safety, he has contributed to various national and international initiatives focused on improving worker protection and safety compliance across different industries.
Dr. Mahinda Seneviratne
Occupational Health Specialist, Sydney, Australia
Dr. Mahinda is an experienced occupational health specialist based in Sydney, Australia, with extensive expertise in workplace health management, industrial safety, and occupational risk prevention. He has been actively involved in occupational health practice, training, and advisory services, supporting organizations in developing safer and healthier working environments across different industries.
With many years of professional experience in occupational medicine and workplace health programs, he has contributed to health risk assessments, employee wellness initiatives, and the implementation of occupational safety standards in accordance with international guidelines.
He has also participated in professional forums, training programs, and collaborative initiatives related to occupational health and safety at both national and international levels.
Phuntsho Dendup
Deputy Chief Labour Officer (Dy CLO) & Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Professional, Department of Labour, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE), Thimphu, Bhutan
Mr. Phuntsho Dendup is a seasoned senior official with over 19 years of experience in labour administration, occupational health and safety (OSH), and policy development. Currently serving as Deputy Chief Labour Officer and OSH Professional at the Department of Labour, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment, he has been instrumental in shaping Bhutan’s workplace safety landscape.
His career is marked by significant contributions to national policy reform. Mr. Dendup served as a Technical Advisor for the development of the National OHS Strategy and played a lead role in the revision and finalization of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2022 and the Regulations on Working Conditions 2022. He pioneered several national firsts, including initiating Bhutan’s first National OHS Seminar (2025), establishing the first Workforce Management Centers, and institutionalizing World Safety Day in Bhutan (2012). His leadership in establishing workplace annual health checkup systems and industrial first aid training has set new benchmarks for employee welfare across industries.
A committed trainer and capacity builder, Mr. Dendup has conducted numerous training programs across the country, equipping safety officers and supervisors with essential skills. Notably, he led the initiative to institutionalize the Safety Officer and Safety Supervisor courses in collaboration with the Bhutan Quality Product and Construction Association (BQPCA), aligning these programs with the Bhutan Quality Framework for Works (BQFW) to ensure consistent and high-quality safety standards in the construction and industrial sectors.
As a dedicated researcher, Mr. Dendup has made significant contributions to the field of occupational health, with numerous publications in international journals covering topics such as workplace accident epidemiology, occupational noise-induced hearing loss, and gendered perspectives on OHS. His work bridges the gap between policy, practice, and academic insight.
Recognized for his excellence, he was awarded the Excellence in Workplace Health and Safety Leadership Award at the Asian Professional Achievement Awards in 2025. Mr. Dendup holds an MSc in Occupational and Environmental Health from Thammasat University, Thailand, and a Diploma in Workplace Health and Safety from HBA Learning Centres, Australia.
Mr. Lham Dorji
Director, Department of Labour, Bhutan
Mr. Lham Dorji serves as the Director of the Department of Labour under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce & Employment (MoICE). He has been instrumental in leading national initiatives to modernize labour standards and ensure the safety and wellbeing of Bhutan's workforce. With an extensive background in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and human resource development, Mr. Dorji brings a strategic vision to the ICOEH-2026 conference.
His leadership at the Department of Labour focuses on: Strengthening OHS Frameworks - Spearheading national policies that align with international safety standards. Labour Protection: Ensuring fair practices and decent work environments across all sectors in Bhutan. Collaborative Growth: Fostering regional and international partnerships to enhance technical capacity and safety awareness.
As a core member of the ICOEH-2026 organizing team, Mr. Dorji represents the Royal Government of Bhutan's commitment to building resilient and sustainable occupational health and safety systems for a future-ready workforce.
Dr. Barry Kistnasamy
Former Compensation Commissioner, South Africa
Dr. Barry Kistnasamy is a leading occupational health specialist from South Africa with over three decades of experience in public health, workplace safety, and health policy development. He has served in senior positions in the National Department of Health, including Head of Occupational Health and Compensation Commissioner for Occupational Diseases, and has played a key role in developing occupational health systems, worker compensation programs, and safety policies for the mining and industrial sectors.
He has also worked with international organizations such as the World Health Organization, International Labour Organization, and World Bank, contributing to global initiatives on occupational health, tuberculosis, and worker protection.
