New EHS Sector Regulatory Authority EHS Department to implement Environment, Health and Safety Management System to improve standards in the Building and Construction sector

Al Ain, United Arab Emirates - 5th May, 2010: With cooperation with the Department of Municipal Affairs and Abu Dhabi Municipality, and Western Region Municipality, Al Ain Municipality today took a major step towards improving levels of safety on building and construction sites in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi with the official launch of the new Building & Construction Sector Environment, Health and Safety Management System (EHSMS) at a seminar in Al Ain, attended by Al Ain Municipality General Manager and senior executives from the Department of Municipal Affairs, Abu Dhabi and Western Region Municipalities, Environment Agency Abu Dhabi and the UAE University.

Complying with the provisions of the Decree, of His Highness the Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council No. (42) for the year 2009 on the EHSMS of the Emirate Abu Dhabi, the relevant authority (DMA the regulatory authority) sets out the implementation stages of the EHSMS for Building and Construction Sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Al Ain Municipality EHSMS project is leading the implementation. It also extends services, awareness, education and training to help the entities of Building and Construction Sector achieve compliance with the EHSMS framework set by the competent authority (Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi).

His Excellence the General Manager of Al Ain Municipality Dr. Matar Al Nuaimi commented: "This is a landmark project that aims to deliver a fundamental change to levels of understanding and attitudes towards the environment, health and safety on construction sites. The Sector Regulatory Authority (SRA) is committed to working with all stakeholders in the Building and Construction Sector to enforce EHSMS. However, our aim goes beyond enforcement. By educating the sector, we hope to influence behaviours and develop a positive EHS culture that values both human life and the environment. We aim to create a cleaner and safer working environment and, ultimately, save natural resources."

Engineer Abdullah Sultan al-Darei, the EHSMS Project Manager, added that this project aims to establish the highest standards and measures followed worldwide that work to maintain a sustainable environment and take all necessary precautions to take into account the Environment, Health and Safety standards of the Building and Construction Sector. Mr. Abdulla confirmed that SRA will work with all stakeholders to achieve project goals by providing the necessary support to the entities e.g., training, education and recognition of the best compliance with EHSMS requirements.

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The Environment, Health and Safety Management System (EHSMS) is an integrated management system that takes into consideration all aspects related to the protection of the environment, protection of human health and safety of workers and the community at large. In 2006, the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi Emirate approved the "Abu Dhabi Emirate EHS Policy" (Committee Decree 2-S 31/2006) and nominated the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) as the Authority responsible for supervising the development and implementation of the EHSMS at the Emirate level, in cooperation and coordination with all concerned parties. To facilitate the EHS Policy and follow up the development and implementation of Abu Dhabi Emirate EHSMS Framework, the Executive Council established the "EHS Higher Committee" on 11th June 2007 (Committee Decree 10-S 19/2007). The committee is chaired by EAD and comprises members from various government bodies, leading to the establishment of seven "Sector Technical Committees" chaired by the members of the Higher Committee representing each sector, including the Building and Construction Technical Committee, chaired by Al Ain Municipality. In June 2009, the Executive Council issued Decree No (42), commissioning Al Ain Municipality to facilitate the EHS Policy and follow up the development and implementation of the Abu Dhabi Emirate EHSMS Framework, through establishing the and implementation of the Environment, Health and Safety Management System for the Building & Construction Sector in Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

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Grayling Momentum
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© Press Release 2010