Global best practices are crucial for raising safety standards at construction sites, say experts at OIC seminar

Delivering the welcome address at a seminar on 'Risk Awareness and Protection in the Construction industry' Al Tayer said, 'The UAE in general, and Dubai in particular, are witnessing a continuing boom in the construction sector, with a host of new iconic mega projects.

These massive developments are exposed to enormous risks such as fire, collapse, natural calamities and other accidents due to negligence.'

Al Tayer called for heightened awareness in construction industry towards risk exposure in construction projects and insurance protection available. These, he said, were two crucial factors for successful completion of projects.
A host of renowned speakers and insurance experts addressed the issue of risks in the construction sector through detailed presentations.

Steve Seaber, OBE, DMS, FIFire E, Associate BRE Global/Loss Prevention Certification Board, while speaking on 'Risk and Safety Management on Construction Sites', singled out the rising number of fires and worksite accidents in the Gulf and urged for measures like action through legislation, corporate responsibility, effective site management, supervisory management and personal responsibility.

Presenting a case study on a Dubai-based company, Seaber recalled how the firm, working 13 million man-hours in 1998, lost 48,057 man-hours through industrial accidents. He revealed how by focusing on safety improvements and investing in the right equipment and tools, the company succeeded in reducing the incidents of accidents to 6,600 man-hours and raised productivity to 28 million man-hours by 2006.

Seaber also noted that the region's fascination for constructing super highrise buildings (500 metres and above) had increased the risks for the construction sector. The risks at the construction phase included new technologies and techniques, unprotected steel exposed, hot working, partial completion, potential ignition sources in completed areas, limited fire protection in completed areas and poor escape routes.

Brad J. Berg, chief underwriting officer, Ace Insurance, MENA region, provided fresh insights into different aspects on Contractor All Risks (CAR) and Erection All Risks (EAR), and explained how natural perils, human threats and engineering perils could throw all equations to the winds, if stake holders do not take proper measures.

Lloyd Stewart, from Jardine Lloyd Thompson Ltd, focused on the golden rule: indemnity first, insurance second. He urged the audience not to leave anything to the last minute and called for dovetailing all elements. He also highlighted contractors' insurance requirements through case studies.

Michael G. Morgan, Underwriting and Claims Manager, Infrassure, spoke about Advanced Loss of Profits (ALOP), which involves protecting against delays arising from physical damage. He underlined the need for good project management. He revealed that there was a pronounced increase in demand for ALOP, which has now become more a standard line of business.

John T. Kidd, regional manager, Crawford & Company, Dubai, spoke on 'Contractors All Risk Claims: The sharp end of business.' He explained the role of loss adjusters and the challenges of defining the real extent of damage through numerous visits.

Mr. Abdul Muttalib Mustafa, General Manager, Oman Insurance Company, said the seminar represented a strong initiative from Oman Insurance Company to raise awareness about safety at construction sites and the need for all stake holders, including property developers, contractors, consultants, architects, designers and engineers, to remain vigilant in taking preventive steps.

Oman Insurance Company, one of the biggest players in the insurance business, organised the seminar as part of its corporate social responsibility and in continuation of a series of programs to raise issues of interest to the community and industry. The last one was on 'Freight Forwarders Liability Insurance', which raised several vital issues related to the freight forwarding industry.