ABU DHABI // The municipality plans to start cracking down on health and safety violators on construction sites in the coming year, as tentative statistics show the number of reported accidents increased in 2011.
In November, officials stepped up inspections and began more aggressively issuing fines.
"Our strategy was not to fine directly," said Abdulaziz Zurub, head of health, safety and environment (HSE) at the municipality.
"We started with awareness and site visits, but now we are turning to fines and the court process. We need to bring best practices into Abu Dhabi, but we need support from the companies that are the ones who need to change to a culture of safety."
Anyone fined for one of 32 violations from municipal inspectors will need to pay before any new permits will be issued.
Earlier this year, the municipality introduced a blacklist for repeat violators. Depending on the severity of the violations, a company can be barred from operating in the capital for three, six or 12 months.
The Department of Economic Development is working with the municipality to revoke offenders' licences.
Fines can range from Dh1,000 for failing to make approved plans and permits available at the site to Dh50,000 for violations including demolition without proper permits and building beyond approved dimensions.
The measure is part of the municipality's efforts to increase HSE awareness on construction sites. This month marks one year since the municipality began requiring contractors and consultants to submit comprehensive safety plans before receiving building permits.
In the capital, about 20 inspectors carry out daily inspections, and about 3,000 random inspections have been completed this year.
Though official numbers from the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (Haad) reported a 19 per cent decrease in workplace fatalities, this year has seen a spike in accidents on construction sites, Mr Zurub said.
The increased numbers could be attributed to increased reporting.
"Our investigators are identifying the lessons to be learned," he said. "Why it happened, what is the root cause, how we can avoid it."
This is the first year the municipality has collected statistics, but numbers are not yet available.
In 2010, there were 551 workplace deaths, a drop from 680 in 2009, according to data provided by Haad. Numbers for 2011 will be available early next year.
Falling from height and being struck by falling objects remain the most common hazards for labourers on construction sites, according to the Haad report. Mr Zurub said unsafe scaffolding and open shafts are common violations.
No fire incidents have been reported this year.
"Our inspectors are patrolling all the sites," Mr Zurub said. "We have big plans for next year, getting the message out about safety issues."
Some experts said more needs to be done to ensure contractors understand the regulations.
"Most contractors don't know what the municipality is requiring," said Saif Hamam, a business development consultant at the Emirates Institute for Health and Safety, an Abu-Dhabi based organisation that offers HSE training. "They just know that they have to be in compliance, but no one is explaining how and where to get this information."
Mr Hamam said contractors are paying the minimum amount to consultants to develop safety plans that pass only the basic requirements for the municipality.
"What they want is the cheapest quotation possible," he said. "They will buy a safety plan but never look at it or implement it."
Mr Zurub said the municipality will also work on improving its system for reporting violators to the courts in an effort to help companies understand the penalties.
The HSE annual report is under development and is expected to be completed early next year. The report will outline the number of accidents, fatalities and violators in 2011, and review training and workshops carried out this year.
jthomas@thenational.ae
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
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The biog
Age: 19
Profession: medical student at UAE university
Favourite book: The Ocean at The End of The Lane by Neil Gaiman
Role model: Parents, followed by Fazza (Shiekh Hamdan bin Mohammed)
Favourite poet: Edger Allen Poe
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
Results
2.30pm: Expo 2020 Dubai – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m; Winner: Barakka, Ray Dawson (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer)
3.05pm: Now Or Never – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: One Idea, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson
3.40pm: This Is Our Time – Handicap (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Perfect Balance, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar
4.15pm: Visit Expo 2020 – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Kaheall, Richard Mullen, Salem bin Ghadayer
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5.25pm: Vision – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Shanty Star, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly
6pm: Al Wasl Plaza – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Jadwal, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson
UAE tour of the Netherlands
UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
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Monday, 1st 50-over match
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match
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Based: Tunisia
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Investment raised: $4 million
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Planes grounded by coronavirus
British Airways: Cancels all direct flights to and from mainland China
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific: Cutting capacity to/from mainland China by 50 per cent from Jan. 30
Chicago-based United Airlines: Reducing flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong
Ai Seoul: Suspended all flights to China
Finnair: Suspending flights to Nanjing and Beijing Daxing until the end of March
Indonesia's Lion Air: Suspending all flights to China from February
South Korea's Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air and Jin Air: Suspend all flights
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What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
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Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
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Safa Park
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Al Qudrah Lakes
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Racecard
2pm Handicap Dh 90,000 1,800m
2.30pm Handicap Dh120,000 1,950m
3pm Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m
3.30pm Jebel Ali Classic Conditions Dh300,000 1,400m
4pm Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m
4.30pm Conditions Dh250,000 1,400m
5pm Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m
5.30pm Handicap Dh85,000 1,000m
The National selections:
2pm Arch Gold
2.30pm Conclusion
3pm Al Battar
3.30pm Golden Jaguar
4pm Al Motayar
4.30pm Tapi Sioux
5pm Leadership
5.30pm Dahawi