Safety becomes a major priority as Dubai construction skyrockets

Health and safety issues of Dubai's booming construction sector are set to be some of the main focal points of this year's  Intersec Health and Safety exhibition and conference to be held in Dubai this coming January.

In preparation for the important event, the Middle East branch of the Institution of Occupational Health and Safety (IOHS) is gearing up to deal with the key issue, which has become of major importance in the wake of the city's surging property market. According to a recent study by Colliers International, Dubai ranked number two in the world next to Moscow in terms of office real estate construction activity, reported Khaleej Times.

As a result, the costs for developers of failing to impose adequate safety measures have been increasing at an alarming rate, a fact that unfortunately can result in an increasing number of accidents. 

Statistics recently released by the Dubai Municipality show that 111 accidents were reported between January and June this year and that over half of all construction site deaths were caused by workers falling.

Furthermore, "50 per cent of all fatal accidents involve falling from a height and 50 per cent of these will be in the construction industry," according to figures from the International Labour Organisation (ILO).