01.02.2012

Abu Dhabi cracks down on crane safety

Abu Dhabi Municipality is stepping up its efforts to improve crane safety by calling on contracting companies and construction consultants to regularly check that the cranes and lifting equipment working on their sites is safe to use and has a third party test certificate – a requirement since the end of October.

It has also warned that Municipal inspectors would be carrying out unannounced site visits. A spokesman also confirmed that similar checks will be shortly required for scaffolding and that formal training certification for operators is likely.

If a crane is found to be operating without the new certification- issued by a government approved engineer, the companies responsible can face a fine of up to Dh 10,000. ($2,750). If the company is caught a second time, the penalty will be doubled and legal action is likely. If a crane that has been involved in an accident is found not to be certified the penalties and legal repercussions will be more serious again.

Salah Al Sarraj acting executive director of town planning at the municipality, said: "These procedures ensure a high degree of safety and establish the actual worthiness of equipment and will help prevent highly disruptive accidents."
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An accident in July 2011 drove Abu Dhabi's new safety rules

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