Construction firms fined for flouting crane safety rules in Abu Dhabi

Eight firms were fined for crane safety violations thoughout the municipality's inspections last year. During the campaigns carried out on 250 construction sites, 49 warnings were also issued to building contractors and consultants for related offences and for failing to create a safe environment for its workers.

The Abu Dhabi Municipality reiterated that engineers, consulting offices, contractors, building developers, and all workers at construction companies should adhere to the prescribed safety requirements in using tower cranes.

As part of the civic body's efforts to protect lives and address potential hazards, routine inspections of work sites shall continue, ensuring that the Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) standards are being followed to the letter.

The municipality said it was also working to strengthen contractor commitment to auditing and supervising subcontractors. This includes acquiring installation licences for tower cranes; regular maintenance of cranes; review of maintenance reports; monitoring the loading and unloading of heavy machinery; carrying out regular maintenance and third-party safety checks; and ensuring mobile crane drivers have the necessary experience to operate the machinery.

Consultants, supervisors, contractors, inspection companies and maintenance companies from third-party firms must take full responsibility for ensuring that cranes are in a safe condition during installation, operation, and dismantling.