Building site safety plans under review in Sharjah

A proposal under consideration by the Sharjah Municipality Council would require all construction workers to wear protective clothing and helmets.

SHARJAH // Laws to improve safety on construction sites are among plans being considered by authorities in the emirate.

Under the draft proposal for new safety procedures discussed by Sharjah Municipality Council, all construction workers will have to wear protective clothing and helmets at all times.

It also covers the proper storage of materials, particularly chemicals, and calls for vigorous municipality inspections.

According to a report given to The National, the proposals, once passed by the executive council, would help reduce accidents such as falls, electrocutions and workers being struck by falling objects. The rules would apply to all building sites in the emirate.

Companies will also be required to train staff in safety.

The council also discussed plans to allow cars to be washed in public places including residential neighbourhoods.

Currently, vehicles can be washed only in licensed bays and petrol stations, but this requires a certificate of approval from the municipality, issued after an inspection, before a licence is issued by the Economic Development Department.

Officials also recommended speeding up the process of handling rental disputes. The municipality received 3,524 complaints from tenants and landlords last year. Of those, 2,069 were rent defaults complaints.