Doha, April 19 (QNA) - The Public Works Authority 'Ashghal' announced that four Citizens Subdivisions and Existing Areas Infrastructure Projects, have won an International Safety Award from the British Safety Council, in recognition of their commitment to keeping workers and workplaces healthy and safe during the 2020 calendar year. Projects Al Kharaitiyat & Izghawa, (Package 3), Al-Wajba West, (Package 1) and Duhail South & Umm Lekhba, (Package 1), were presented with an International Safety Award with a Distinction, while Al-Meshaf South Project, (Package 1), was awarded the International Safety Award with a Merit.
On this occasion, Manager of Roads Projects Department (RPD) Eng. Saoud Al Tamimi, pointed out that the four awards earned by projects of citizens' subdivisions and existing areas, reflect Ashghal's commitment to Health and Safety in its construction projects and the leading position that Ashghal plays in the Qatari construction industry in terms of spreading awareness and best H&S practices. He said: "This is of great importance to RPD especially that we rely on local contractors and cooperate with them closely to raise the H&S performance in our worksites which consequently will relay these best practices to other projects in the country." Eng. Al Tamimi then highlighted having Ashghal's projects continuously winning safety awards from international institutions is an acknowledgment of the high level of safety in the Public Works Authority's projects and a proof on its keenness to safeguard workers' health and lives, as safety is an important pillar of Ashghal's project implementation strategy, and a culture that Ashghal works to spread and adhere to.
Chief Executive of the British Safety Council Mike Robinson, congratulated Ashghal on their success in winning three International Safety Awards with a Distinction and one with a Merit: "The British Safety Council applauds the Public Works Authority on their achievement. The award is in recognition of their commitment and hard work to keep their employees and workplaces free of injury and ill health." He added: "The vision of the British Safety Council is that no-one should be injured or made ill through their work anywhere in the world. Achieving this requires more than complying with legislation; it means people committed not only to health and safety but also more and more to workplace wellbeing and impelling others to follow suit." The Roads and Infrastructure project in Al Kharaitiyat & Izghawa (Package 3) commenced construction in January 2019 and achieved 3.7 million LTI free man-hours in 2020. The project employs around 715 workers hired by its main contractor, Joint Venture of National I.C.C & Al Ghanim, and their subcontractors. The project covers a network of urban roadways extending to 42 km approximately. The main works include upgrading several arterial and collector roads, diversion and protection of existing electricity and water networks in addition to construction of a new foul sewer, TSE and storm water/groundwater drainage network. The works also include installation of street lighting, provision pf car parking slots as well as traffic signals and directional signage.
It is noteworthy to mention that Ashghal projects in 2020 conducted 915 focused worker welfare inspections, obtained licenses from the Ministry of Public Health for 15 worker clinics and managed to get 92% of the workforce (around 24000 workers) hired by its contractors medically screened for chronic diseases.
Furthermore, the infrastructure projects for citizens' and existing areas had won three safety awards from the British Safety Council last year. Al Ebb and Leabib, package 1, the Industrial Area, package 3 and West Muaither, package 3, being the three projects that were awarded, proving the high level of commitment to safety and welfare.
It is worth noting that for the last 63 years, the International Safety Awards scheme has been recognizing and celebrating organizations from around the world, which have demonstrated to the satisfaction of the schemes independent judges their commitment to preventing workplace injuries and work-related ill health. (QNA)