Workplace falls reach new record in Qatar

Injuries due to falling from heights at work sites hit a new record in Qatar with more than 1,000 cases per year, daily The Peninsula reported.

According to Dr Ahmed Zarour, Director of the Trauma Intensive Care Unit at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), there has been a significant increase in the number of people treated for injuries caused by fall from heights, with cases nearly doubling since 2008, when there 600 registered accidents.

Falling from heights is the second major cause of serious injuries in Qatar, with road accidents being the first, and the majority of such cases could be prevented with proper safety measures, said Dr Zarour. Almost 10 percent of all those involved in such an accident suffer from a disability afterwards, he said.

 “Companies should take more interest in the safety of their workers. The authorities must be strict on rules and regulations to force these companies to take all safety measures and make it obligatory at all construction sites” said Dr Zarour.