29 Apr 2018 – 8:31
The Peninsula
DOHA: President of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), Dr. Eng. Saad bin Ahmad Al Muhannadi, yesterday said that the Authority is committed to the highest standards of safety, and occupational health in all projects implemented in the country to record nearly 100 million hours without injuries in some projects during nine months.
Dr. Al Mohannadi said in a speech at the opening session of the Second Occupational Safety and Health Conference, which started in Doha yesterday, that Ashghal gives occupational safety and health top priority by imposing a set of standards and requirements on consulting companies, and supervisory tours to ensure compliance with these standards to ensure the safety and security of workers in various project sites.
He noted that the company has already benefited from these efforts 39 million hours of work without injuries for nine months in infrastructure projects and 60 million hours in a highway project.
He also noted that the Authority has succeeded in reducing the rate of injuries to 50 percent in the highway program in 2017 compared to the average incidence during the past five years (2012-2016), as well as reducing the frequency of injuries by up to 35 percent with the increase in the number of workers.
As for the infrastructure development program, Ashghal, with an increase in working hours of more than 50 million hours, has reduced the casualty rate by more than 70 percent in 2017, the lowest rate in six years. Earlier, Ashghal issued a booklet entitled “Occupational Safety Passport” which includes the most important safety procedures to be followed in various construction sites.
He said that Ashghal has witnessed a remarkable increase in the rate of workers’ care over the last four years in terms of availability of labor housing that meets the highest standards and requirements, the satisfaction of workers with their housing and the availability of water, ventilation and a healthy environment.
