Sharjah
I would like to highlight a concerning scene on a construction site across from my residence in the Rolla area of Sharjah.
Early morning, a group of construction workers arrive at the site without proper safety gear. They are walking on the edges of the wooden frames without any sling or ropes. No safety officers are present on site to monitor these workers, who are probably from different backgrounds with different skills.
I am always under fear and tension as the building height increases. The authorities must monitor these construction sites closely and alert the construction companies to be more vigilant.
Last month, two incidents of cranes collapsing at construction sites in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah were reported by the media. These accidents were really scary. People were injured and so many vehicles were crushed.
The authorities must pay serious attention to this issue as there are so many buildings under construction. The safety of people staying in these areas are at risk, too, mainly because these cranes are very heavy and large structures.
Suresh Venkit, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning technician based in Sharjah has also come across this issue. He sees a lack of safety measures in the buildings under constructions close to his residence, too.
He said: “Construction workers are on site without safety shoes or helmets. The authorities must visit the sites frequently and educate the workers about safety.”
Mohammad Rushdi, a mechanical engineer based on Al Wahda Street, Sharjah, agreed and has also spotted many workers operating without safety gear.
He said: “There are lot of buildings coming up in my area. Most of the workers wear normal clothes and do high risk jobs. More attention is required on this subject matter.”
During the construction of a building a lot of activities are involved, most of which must be high risk jobs. These need extra care and focus. Workers need to be aware about the safety rules and regulations to be followed.
Frequent safety training and awareness sessions, along with proper safety gear, need to be given to the employees to reduce the risk of accidents on the sites.
— The reader is based in Sharjah.
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FACTBOX:
According to a Gulf News report published in July 2013: The UAE Federal Labour Law specifies certain provisions for employee safety and health care, stipulated under Article 91 to Article 101.
Every employer should provide his employees with suitable means of protection against injuries, occupational diseases, which may be contracted during work, fire and hazards, that may result from the use of machinery and other work equipment. The employer should apply all other precautionary measures, specified by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
The employee has to use the safety equipment and clothes given to him for this purpose. He must also follow his employer’s instructions, which aim to protect him from danger. The employer or his deputy should inform the employee of the dangers of his job and the means of protection that he has to take. The employer should also display detailed written instructions on the premises.
