On patrol with Abu Dhabi’s skyscraper inspectors

Officials most often spot low barriers, a risk of falling objects, Covid mask shortages and faulty fire equipment

The scaffolds at under-construction buildings need to be properly secured and categorised as safe-to-use by a third party. Victor Besa / The National

Faraj Ali Almaeeni, an inspector of the Health and Safety Department checks for any slip-ups around scaffolds. Victor Besa / The National

Saif Abdul Hay from the Abu Dhabi City Municipality inspects safety standards of a construction site in Al Raha Gardens. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi City Municipality officers on a safety inspection at a under-construction site in Al Raha. Victor Besa / The National

A worker wearing a safety helmet, face mask and gloves at the construction site. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi City Municipality inspectors on a safety inspection. Victor Besa / The National

Most sites in Abu Dhabi abide by safety regulations, said Khaled Al Marzooqi, head of inspection at the municipality. Victor Besa / The National

Working at heights remains one of the biggest causes of fatalities, said Khaled Al Marzooqi, head of inspection at the municipality. Victor Besa / The National

A worker at a under-construction site. Victor Besa / The National

Saif Abdul Hay from the Abu Dhabi City Municipality inspects safety standards of a construction site in Al Raha Gardens. Victor Besa / The National

Khaled Khamees Almarzooqi (right, front row), head of Environment, Health and Safety Department and his team at the site in Al Raha Gardens. Victor Besa / The National

Construction workers take a break at the construction site in Al Raha Gardens. Victor Besa / The National

Construction workers take a short break. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi City Municipality inspectors at work. Victor Besa / The National

Workers on the construction site follow safety rules. Victor Besa / The National

An elevator technician rolls down the metal safety doors of the lift at the construction site. Victor Besa / The National

Health and safety inspectors in Abu Dhabi visit hundreds of building sites each month to help protect workers operating at dizzying heights.

They check staff have all the equipment they need to keep them from harm, whether that is straps and harnesses or guardrails and nets.

The National accompanied engineers from Abu Dhabi Municipality on one such visit, to Sail Tower, a 21-storey building along Al Raha Creek.

“This is our 12th visit to this site this year because it is a major high-security building,” said Khaled Al Marzooqi, head of inspection at the municipality.

“Our main remarks here are that passageways need to be clear, for safe access.

“Also, if the edges are more than two metres high, there should be a handrail to avoid falls.”

The scaffold – a temporary structure erected for workers to stand on and to move construction material to higher floors – must be properly secured and signed off by a third party as safe to use.

Mr Al Marzooqi said the ladders that lead to the scaffold’s top levels should be checked daily before use.

“If a green tag has been placed on it, that means it is safe to use. If there is a red tag, it should not be used.”

He said working at height remains one of the most dangerous activities.

The inspectors assess all the slip-ups around scaffolds and tower cranes to ensure the workers are not at risk of falls or being hit by falling objects.

They examine resting areas on construction sites and also check whether workers are given personal protective equipment such as helmets and hard-soled, slip-resistant shoes, and face masks and gloves to prevent transmission of the coronavirus.

Company supervisors need to make sure the temperature of staff is checked daily before they start work and that they practise social distancing once on site.

Most sites in Abu Dhabi abide by safety regulations, Mr Al Marzooqi said.

While six to 10 inspections are carried out daily, about six sites are fined each month.

“In Abu Dhabi, contractors in general follow regulations. We are not issuing a lot of fines, but awareness [efforts] continue because it is a very important issue,” he said.

Mr Al Marzooqi said the most common offences include a risk of falling objects, a lack of PPE for workers and non-functioning fire extinguishers.

Those who flout rules can be fined up to Dh10,000.

The municipality uses simulation glasses to train construction supervisors and some other employees on how to avoid accidents.

“We have analysed the top 16 hazards and programmed them in a simulator, so the supervisors and workers can live the experience of how they should react if an accident were to occur,” he said.

The companies buy the simulation glasses and the municipality officers programme them.

“We have been applying this programme since the beginning of the year, and it has proven effective,” Mr Al Marzooqi said.

“The number of accidents have dropped because supervisors and workers are now more aware of what they could face.”

No fines or warnings were issued to those working on the Sail Tower.

The municipality conducted 1,900 inspection visits to construction sites in the first nine months of 2020 and hopes to reach the target of 4,000 by the end of the year.