Abu Dhabi worker safety plan paying off

Abu Dhabi: Nearly 14,000 cranes and mechanical lifting devices have undergone safety inspections in the capital since October 2011, the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City announced in a statement.

The Municipality claims the inspections have led to there being no lifting device-related accidents reported so far this year.

Municipality officials also stressed the need for consultants and contractors to work with licensed inspection companies.

“Consultancy offices and general contracting companies operating in the construction sector must deal solely with companies approved to undertake inspection and accreditation of mechanical lifting equipment,” said Salah Awad Al Sarraj, acting executive director of town planning at the Municipality.

Since 2011, six technical inspection firms have had their licences revoked as a result of non-compliance with the required standards. At the same time, 34 companies have been registered at the Municipality to offer inspection services.