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MoL launches safety awareness drive

ABU DHABI — The Ministry of Labour (MoL) has launched an awareness campaign to spread the culture of occupational health and safety at construction sites in Abu Dhabi.

The ministry decided to launch the campaign to educate the workers and the companies in Abu Dhabi on the need to adopt and follow health and safety measures at construction sites. "We started this step to educate the workers on the occupational health and safety measures at the construction sites here in Abu Dhabi," Qassim Jameel, Head of Inspection Department at the Ministry of Labour, said yesterday.

"The ministry has made this move to spread awareness particularly among workers toward a better health and safety conditions. Focus is being made on measures to be taken to avoid industry related health and safety problems such as heatstroke among outdoor workers," he added.

To this end, he said guidelines and posters have been distributed to different construction sites in three languages- Arabic, Urdu, and English.

The campaign is in line with the ministerial decision No. 410 that makes it mandatory for the construction companies to comply with midday break (12.30 to 3.00 pm).

The decision was issued, basically, to ensure the workers' health and safety. Companies found violating this decision will risk several penalties. For the first violation, the company will be moved to category C for not less than three months, in addition to a fine of Dh10,000 as per cabinet resolution No. 19 for 2005.

For the second violation, the erring company will be moved to the category C and will not be issued work permits for not less than six months, in addition to a fine of Dh20,000.

For the third violation, the company will be moved to category C for not less than one year, in addition to paying Dh30,000.

For the fourth time, and in all cases falling under the three times categories above, the names of violating companies, directors, and owners will be published in the daily newspapers circulated in the country, and on internal advertisement screens at the ministry.

Jameel told Khaleej Times the ministry stressed on the need for employers to provide suitable facilities for the workers to take rest during the noon break. "The ministry will not allow the companies to let the workers idle on the streets or at public places during the noon-break," he affirmed, noting that those violating these instructions will be punished according to the labour law.

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