11.33 AM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

Al Ain to float construction safety body

Published
By Staff Writer

Al Ain Municipality has contracted international design and engineering consultancy, Atkins to set up a department for ensuring safety on construction sites by 2012.

Atkins will establish an Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) department for the Building and Construction Sector in Al Ain, according to the practice.

The contract signing ceremony was attended by Dr Matar Al Nuaimi, General Manager, Al Ain Municipality and Dr Abdullatif Merii, Atkins Director, Abu Dhabi.

The new department will work to ensure effective EHS Management Systems (EHSMS) are implemented on construction sites with the objective of achieving safer work places, healthy working environments, minimising pollution, waste and ensuring sustainable lifestyles and development.

Atkins will recruit and train inspectors and other support staff, establish an IT system for registration and reporting, and develop an enforcement strategy.

Dr Merii commended the Municipality saying, "This is a landmark project for Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Al Ain Municipality has taken the bold step to lead the way in assisting contractors and others to develop construction site management systems that will safeguard people and the environment – this new authority will quite simply save lives.

"The application of the EHSMS will raise the awareness of environmental aspects that stem from construction activities, ultimately improving humans' position within the environment without upsetting it," he said.

 

Keep up with the latest business news from the region with the Emirates Business 24|7 daily newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter, please click here.