UAE contractor stands trial for worker's death

Ras Al Khaimah - The worker died on duty.

An Arab contractor stands trial at the Ras Al Khaimah Misdemeanour Court after being held responsible for the accidental death of one of his own duty workers.
As per court records, the defendant failed to observe due safety procedures and secure the victim who succumbed to fatal injuries he received after a large amount of concrete fell on his head during a building construction.
The victim, a blue-collar worker with a contracting company based in Ras Al Khaimah, was carrying out some of the tasks he has been assigned by the company owner.
However, none of the public safety conditions and procedures was observed at the construction site, and the foreman was not present.
The defendant has asked the worker to do some work without ensuring his safety that he died on duty.
The contractor, however, denied the accusations and told the court that the incident was predestined and he had nothing to do with it.
"The unfortunate incident happened on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan when I asked the worked to do some work at a building under construction," he said.
"The foreman was there on site, but he moved shortly to another site before the incident happened."
The defendant told the court that he always observed public safety procedures at construction sites. "Foremen have all been strictly instructed to be at construction sites and ensure that everything is observed as due."
The court ordered the adjournment of the case for hearing the prosecution witnesses, and defence lawyer pleading.
Late last year, labourers at a building under construction destroyed 17 cars and set fire to offices and fuel tanks after a man fell to his death from the fifth floor of the building.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com