UAE officials have warned companies of facing severe penalties if they fail to provide a safe working environment for their employees.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has notified employers to ensure they follow health and safety rules, those of which include:
- Ensuring work areas are not used to store material, equipment or litter.
- Sufficient space around machinery must be provided to allow workers to move freely to avoid injury.
- Necessary precautions must be taken to protect workers from falling objects.
- Potholes must be filled and stagnant water must be drained on the premises.
- Fire-resistant equipment must be provided.
- Entrances and emergency exits must be marked.
According to Article 342 of the UAE law, employers could face up to five years of jail term, and can also be fined if found guilty of causing injury or death of a person due to negligent behaviour.
Negligent behaviour is inclusive of workplace accidents.
This year in August, an employee of a company in Jebal Ali was left disabled after he was run over by a forklift. The accident, which occurred when the employee was sleeping on the ground, led to him suffering leg and hip injuries.
Both, Dubai Police and Dubai Municipality reported the company’s negligence, and failure to follow safety protocols.
The company was ordered to pay the injured employee AED200,000 in compensation by the Dubai Civil Court.
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