Damac Properties' safety review reports significant improvement

For the same period last year the company recorded a total of 14 million man hours representing a 14% increase in construction activity during the first three quarters of 2009.

The statistics, which cover the main construction sites in Dubai, have been released by the company to show its continued commitment to safety and on going attempts to improve awareness and understanding of accident prevention.

The company's safety audit shows that during the three months - July to September there was not a single Lost Time Incident (LTI) at any of the nine main sites monitored in Dubai. With only three LTIs, in 2009 the company's LTI has reduced to 0.2 per one million man hours worked.

During 2008 a total of nearly 18 million man hours were worked across Damac Properties' 12 main sites in Dubai. There were no fatalities on site and just seven Lost Time Injuries (LTIs) occurring in the year. Recording a LTI frequency rate of 0.4 per one million man hours.

These results represent a 40% improvement on accident results for the same nine month period last year and Damac Properties' Health Safety and Environment Manager Dr. Ekarath Raveendran paid tribute to the extra effort and focus put in by all staff.

Dr Raveendran believes that constant vigilance has paid off. In 2009 there have been more than 300 weekly site visits. The reporting of near miss incidents is encouraged among contractors and Damac supports the Build Safe UAE initiative to publish all safety alerts and 'near misses', encouraging good practise among contractors. Weekly inspections focus on general housekeeping on site, the erection of scaffolding and ladders, electrical safety, protection from falls from height and the storage of plant and equipment.

He further adds, "This considerable improvement on last year's safety performance is a great example of what can be achieved if you take some more time and effort to focus on safety every day. Clear safety plans, correct accident reporting procedures and communication between sites and contractors is the key."

General Manager of Damac Properties Ziad El Chaar added his support for the company's safety performance so far for 2009 and stressed the continued importance of working safely.

He said, "It is great news that not only are our sites performing well in terms of construction timetables and delivery deadlines - but that they are doing all of this whilst keeping accident rates low and also remaining focused on safety."

"We will continue to look for ways that we can develop and improve our safety performance and hope that we will record a full year of positive progress in this area," he added.

The Damac Properties sites that were included in the safety audit are: Smart Heights at Tecom, Lago Vista at IMPZ; Park Towers at DIFC; Business Tower and XL Tower at Business Bay; Emirates Gardens One and Two and Tuscan Residences, all at Jumeirah Village South and Ocean Heights at Dubai Marina.