Construction deaths and accidents leap

Dubai: Dozens of workers fell to their deaths last year, more than in any other year, while in relative terms, the number of construction fatalities declined for the first time, a senior municipal official said.

Fawzi Al Shehi, head of Engineering Supervision Section at Dubai Municipality's Building Department, released construction-site accident statistics for 2005 on Sunday.

The statistics only cover Dubai's municipal area, and do not include free zones, which are not obliged to report construction accidents to the municipality.

In 2005, 39 construction workers died, more than half of them 22 workers by falling from heights, or after they were hit by falling items.

The number of deaths increased 14.7 per cent from 2004, when 34 workers died. In 2003, 20 workers died.

But the accident rate jumped 66 per cent, with 175 workers injured in construction accidents last year.

In 2004, 105 workers were injured in construction accidents. Municipal reports did not outline the seriousness of the injuries workers suffered.

Despite the jump in worker deaths and injuries, Al Shehi said there was a relative decline in accidents.

"The accident rate actually reduced about 30 per cent, because in 2005, the amount of land under construction doubled."

He said the accident rate remained steady compared to 2004 because of increased municipal efforts to "raise safety awareness among contractors," including more seminars.

"Last year on construction sites, I saw things I would not imagine seeing four years back. Most sites now have safety signs put up, for instance."

Injuries register an increase of 66%

-- Workers falling from heights: 22 deaths, 75 injuries

Percentage increases from 2004 (deaths and injuries combined)

43%

----Walls and structures collapsing: 4 deaths, 52 injuries

Percentage increases from 2004 (deaths and injuries combined) 23%

----Fires and electrical shocks: 5 deaths, 9 injuries

Percentage increases from 2004 (deaths and injuries combined) 7%

-- Crane accidents: 4 deaths, 22 injuries

Percentage increases from 2004 (deaths and injuries combined) 14%

----Other: 4 deaths, 17 injuries

Percentage increases from 2004 (deaths and injuries combined) 11%