KUWAIT: Kuwait Municipality has intensified its field inspection campaigns on construction sites across residential and investment areas to ensure compliance with occupational health and safety regulations that safeguard workers and residents, officials said on Thursday. Abdulrahman Al-Rasheed, Head of the Kuwait Municipality team in Hawally Governorate, told KUNA that the law outlines several key safety conditions aimed at protecting both workers and individuals living near construction zones.
Among the most crucial safety measures, Al-Rasheed noted, is the requirement to fence off construction sites with clearly defined boundaries to prevent construction materials from endangering passers-by. Additionally, replacing wooden scaffolding with iron supports is encouraged to enhance structural safety. He explained that the primary objective of the field inspections is to raise awareness and ensure preventive compliance rather than issue penalties. “In each campaign, the number of warnings issued by municipal teams far exceeds the number of violations recorded, reflecting our focus on awareness,” Al-Rasheed said.
In the event of a detected violation, contractors are issued a 72-hour notice to address the observations recorded by inspectors. The inspection team then revisits the site to confirm that all issues have been rectified. Al-Rasheed noted a high compliance rate among contractors following these warnings. He stressed that the municipality will not hesitate to take legal action against violators to protect public safety, adding that today’s inspection tour covered Mishref and Hawally, resulting in 68 warnings, one recorded violation, and 102 field reports.
Al-Rasheed urged contractors to obtain the necessary permits prior to commencing construction work to avoid delays and potential penalties. He affirmed the municipality’s commitment to streamlining the permit process in record time to facilitate safe and legal construction practices. He also emphasized the importance of adhering to Kuwait Municipality’s laws and regulations, noting that safety departments across all governorates are fully committed to enforcing these standards to ensure public safety and prevent worksite hazards. — KUNA
