Lessons from collapse must be shared - expert

Build Safe UAE said lessons from the accident should be shared among contractors to prevent a repeat incident

In Pictures: Dubai building collapse

Build Safe UAE has called for transparency and stiff penalties for companies violating health and safety, in light of yesterday’s building collapse in Deira.

The not-for-profit organisation aimed at improving the health, safety and welfare conditions of all construction industry stakeholders working in the UAE warned that such accidents had wider implications than just workers on the immediate site.

“This was a very dangerous accident which also exposes the general public to risk of incident and injury,” said group administrator Elias McGrath. “Everything possible needs to be done to ensure that this type of accident does not repeat itself.”

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McGrath suggested that sharing the results of a full investigation would help both developers and contractors achieve this.

“A full investigation [should be] conducted to understand the root cause of this accident and the lessons shared with the wider construction industry,” said McGrath. “More proactive steps must be taken rather than industry waiting for accidents to happen and cause for reaction. Facilitating this process requires senior management support and commitment.”

McGrath also called for any offenders in the industry to be penalised for violations.

“It is important that organisations breaking the law are penalised – this sets a good public example and prevents offences or repeat offenders. Details of offenders should be held publicly to assist the tender qualification process for future projects. Maybe stiffer penalties will engage higher and more serious levels of commitment. The last thing organisations want in this current market is a penalty for non compliance,” he said.

According to reports in local newspapers, staff working on the Al Attas building which collapsed in Dubai yesterday afternoon had reported evidence of the ground sinking a few days prior to the accident.