Safety systems take top priority at Dubai Properties

The programme aims to ensure strict adherence to safety requirements by those entrusted with line management responsibility. It will also enable them to review their own departmental systems for safety, introducing new controls or implementing changes as appropriate to make their workplace safer.

Mohamed Binbrek, CEO, Dubai Properties, said: "There is a direct relationship between health and safety parameters and quality. Lack of safety standards in the workplace leads to substandard performance quality.

"As a master developer, we owe our investors a quality end product. Therefore our Health, Safety and Environment HSE mechanisms will adhere to the international standards."

Although the programme is currently for employees only, it will soon be communicated to all consultants and contractors working on Dubai Properties' sites to ensure uniform compliance with health and safety Management systems.

According to Binbrek, all developers and contractors need to self regulate their health, safety and environment (HSE) practices in order to ensure all property developments meet international standards.

Binbrek added: "Building designs, particularly for high-rise towers, must incorporate fire and safety protective measures during the construction phase to prevent on site accidents from escalating.

"More attention must also be paid to building a product supply chain with respect to training the workforce on how to use equipment, product storage and handling of hazardous material."

One of the components of Dubai Properties' new system ensures consultants and contractors are audited against all aspects of safety management including fire management and the use of fire equipment.

Besides other international best practices in regards to HSE, Dubai Properties' new health and safety system will basically follow the OHSAS 18001 as a framework for implementing the HSE internally on all employees and externally on managing consultants and contractors.

Dubai Properties has already received the ISO 9001:2000 certification for excellence in quality and customer service.