Engineers, contractors responsible for overall safety - law

Dubai: Consultant engineers and contractors are responsible for overall safety in a construction project throughout the implementation period and thereafter, according to the prevailing laws and local order in this regard as per the Safety Manual for Construction Works.

The manual is issued by Dubai Municipality's Building Department. It had also issued a Safety Manual for Construction Works that outlines general and specific safety procedures for all types of construction and demolition works and associated jobs.

The responsibility of consultant engineers and contractors also extends to buildings close to the construction site and any other public facility that may be affected by the works. They are also responsible for the safety of all employees and those present at the site or close to it.

According to available statistics for the past four years, of the total number of accidents at construction sites, a considerable percentage of accidents have occurred due to negligence of safety practices.

Falling from heights constituted 45 per cent of the total 865 accidents that occurred during the period between 2004 to 2007.

Other types of accidents were collapses at work sites (23 per cent), accidents involving cranes and other machinery (14 per cent) and fire and electric shock (7 per cent). In 2007 alone, there were 249 accidents in which 47.8 per cent were falling from heights.

In an earlier statement Eisa Al Maidour, Assistant Director General of Dubai Municipality for Planning and Building Affairs, said the issuance of this manual stems from the great concern placed by the municipality for safety issues and the need to introduce future standards for the same.

Al Maidour had said that the new safety manual forms part of the set of legislation currently being undertaken by Dubai Municipality, with the objective of introducing a complete legal framework in line with the municipality's Strategic Plan 2007-2011.

The manual outlines general safety rules and clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of the employers, among others.