MoU signed on safety training

Dubai: Zoning Authority Development Control (ZADC), which works under the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dubai Industrial Academy (DIA), a division of Dubai Industrial City, on delivery of health, safety and environment (HSE) training solutions and regulations for the construction sector.

The MoU was signed by Ali Bu Ruhaima, deputy director-general of the Zoning Authority, and Rashid Al Ansari, vice-president of Dubai Industrial City.

Under the terms of the MoU, DIA will deliver a three-tier training programme to the Zoning Authority called HSE passport system. This will include HSE awareness for senior management, site management and for supervisors.

The two entities said the objective of their pact is to introduce HSE regulations and enhance the safety culture to be more proactive. It seeks to raise the HSE awareness among all contractors and consultants within the ZADC zones for ensuring safety on all construction sites.

Collaboration

"HSE plays an important function in furthering our objectives and our alliance with Dubai Industrial Academy testifies the extent of our dedication to ensuring the safety of everyone within our zone. The collaboration is an important step forward and sets a strong precedent for the entities within the industrial sector on the importance of health, safety and environment training," Bu Ruhaima said. Al Ansari said the rapid pace of technological change in today's world implies that skills and knowledge get outdated rapidly, making continuous training a vital ingredient for success.

"This alliance is a clear demonstration of the importance attributed to proper HSE training which we focus on in DIA. One of our main strategies is to assist the construction sector reach zero accidents and fatalities in work sites," he said.

As part of the MoU, DIA will provide comprehensive safety-training solutions and consultancy services focusing on the construction sector, including the delivery of accredited training programmes as well as a Site Safety Passport Programme (SSP) that will be tailored for all tiers within an organisation and include managers, engineers, HSE specialists and foremen.

DIA will further support the ZADC's construction safety meetings by providing guest speakers as required and making available a representative to sit in on any committee or forum that is established to drive forward the HSE goals.

The Zoning Authority on its part shall pro-actively encourage organisations within its zone to take up the services on offer from DIA as well as introduce measures to ensure all organisations within its ambit adhere to the requirements of the SSP Programme.

In addition it will also develop a system to track and monitor the take up of the SSP Programme to ensure comprehensive attendance from contractors, while promoting an awareness of DIA's HSE curriculum.