Replace old cranes, construction firms told

The National Consultative Council (NCC) yesterday urged contracting and construction companies to replace all their old cranes with new ones for the safety of workers and the general public.

The call was made during a debate on safety measures at the workplace.

The session was chaired by Speaker Abdullah Mohammed Al Massaood, who also expressed his apprehensions about construction work safety, especially in busy areas of the capital.

After holding two rounds of talks with Civil Defence General Directorate and Labour Ministry officials, the House Committee for Internal and Defence Affairs prepared a report on the issue.

The committee made a proposal for the government to call on all contracting and construction companies to replace their ageing cranes that may pose fatal accident risks.

The proposal will be sent to the Executive Council, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for its approval and implementation.

The committee also called for control of the increasing use of cranes in residential areas, exposing residents and pedestrians to dangers.

"The Council also proposes that the Abu Dhabi Municipality and Town Planning Department should study the possibility of including the new proposal within the Safety Specifications and Standards required for construction projects," the House was informed.

After listening to the report, Speaker Massaood said more attention should be given to the proper installation of huge cranes on construction sites in order to prevent them extending into busy and residential areas.

The House was also informed that Civil Defence officials had briefed the committee on the department's efforts to coordinate with other authorities to guarantee complete safety and preventive measures at construction sites.

The members, during their meetings, also called upon Civil Defence officials and other authorities to intensify safety awareness programmes for the public and workers.

"The officials explained that although they are not responsible for the technical side of construction work, they believe cranes should be properly installed within the construction work area to ensure public safety," the report said.

The committee members also met Saeed Khalifa Al Rumaithi, Assistant Under-secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, to discuss workers' safety at work sites.

Al Rumaithi told the committee that the ministry has laid down certain safety measures at construction sites under the Federal Law No. 8 for 1980 and the Ministerial Decree No. 32 of 1982.

The ministry official told the committee that the ministry's rules stipulate the complete safety of workers and residents.

"The ministry official also noted that the ministry carries out regular inspections to evaluate the use of cranes at work sites," the report said.

The issue of safety measures at work sites was raised by the Council in a resolution in April.