40 companies fined for violations

Nearly 40 industrial establishments were fined by Dubai Municipality last month for violating environmental rules.

The violations were detected by inspectors from the Environment Protection and Safety Section at the Environment Department of the municipality, who carried out 601 inspections at different industrial establishments during September in a bid to protect Dubai's environment from industrial pollution.

The inspections form part of a programme to monitor the compliance of industrial establishments with the prevalent environment rules and regulations.

Of the total number of inspections, 340 were follow-up visits of earlier inspections, four were carried out on the basis of complaints received from the public and 245 were routine.

The inspections were undertaken to provide an appropriate safe and healthy environment for running trade and industrial activities in Dubai.

The Safety Unit of the section carried out 174 inspection visits. During these visits, 67 construction sites were inspected to check whether safety was provided at the sites and employees were equipped with the necessary safety devices.

Besides, 72 toyshops were checked for the compliance of toys with the prevailing safety standards and to ensure that no banned toys were offered for sale.

Other safety inspection visits included five visits to follow up accidents that occurred due to the absence of the necessary safety precautions and four visits following complaints from the public.

The section, meanwhile, approved 23 applications for building swimming pools after ensuring that they met the necessary health and engineering requirements.

The section has also continued to monitor the quality of water in the Creek and the sea and cleaned it from polluting substances.

Ships using the Creek or anchored at ports and natural sanctuaries are subjected to checks and routine patrolling is carried out using boats from the Marine Environment Safety Unit to prevent any negative practices that harm the marine environment or violate the maritime environment rules in Dubai. During the period under review, the patrols imposed fines on 48 violators.

The section has also inspected fishing villages, fishing net factories, and shops selling fishing nets, natural sanctuaries in Ras Al Khor and Jebel Ali, small creeks in coastal areas and boat anchorage areas and ports.

These inspections were undertaken by the municipality in its capacity as the body responsible for effectively implementing Federal Law No.23 of 1999 which relates to use, protection and development of live marine wealth.

The tests on air quality in Dubai during September showed that the emirate's air quality is generally good and at the desired level.