Ashghal Wins 10 International Safety Awards from British Safety Council

Doha: For the fifth consecutive year, the Public Works Authority 'Ashghal' represented by the Roads Projects Department, announces winning 10 International Safety Awards from the British Safety Council for several projects of the Local Areas Infrastructure Programme during 2024. On this occasion, Roads Projects Department Manager at Ashghal, Eng. Saoud Al Tamimi,stated: "The department's projects winning 10 International Health and Safety Awards for the fifth consecutive year, after winning eight awards in 2023, nine awards in 2022, four awards in 2021 and three in 2020, is the best evidence of the Authority's commitment to continuous progress and its keenness to maintain the health and lives of workers as a priority. He added that safety is a fundamental pillar of the project implementation strategy and a culture that the Authority aims to promote and adhere to." The International Safety Awards, now in its 66th year, honors the efforts of organisations and institutions around the world that have succeeded i n preventing work-related injuries and illnesses, in addition to organisations committed to well-being and mental health in the workplace. The awards were presented at a ceremony held last June in London, with a distinguished presence of many institutions and participants from around the world. For his part, Project Engineer in the Roads Projects Department, representing Ashghal, Eng. Abdulaziz Al Muhannadi, said: "During 2023, the number of workers in the various Roads Projects Department projects reached approximately 32,000 workers, and the department achieved a worksite injury and accident rate of 0.07 percent during 95 million man-hours. These figures reflect the magnitude of the department's the efforts and its commitment to providing workers with the highest standards of health, safety and social welfare at work sites." The Health, Safety and Workers' Welfare Team won the International Safety Award with Merit for their tireless efforts and commitment to implementing an effective occupational health an d safety management system which consists of key elements, including the commitment of all Authority officials to health and safety standards, developing an effective approach to identifying and managing risks proactively, organising a training programme to enhance competencies and transfer expertise, and involving all employees at all levels in everything related to occupational health and safety, in addition to setting health and safety objectives and monitoring achievements with the aim of continuous improvement, and appointing subcontractors with periodic monitoring of their performance by management. Umm Slal Mohammed Roads and Infrastructure Project (Package 1) has won the International Safety Award with Distinction and Best in the Country Award. The project has achieved 7.5 million man-hours without injury or accidents since its commencement in December 2020. The project employs around 1,114 workers from the main contractor HBK Contracting Company, in addition to its subcontractors. The project inclu des a 36 km roads network, and the main works include the construction of a 54 km surface and groundwater drainage network and a 15.8 km TSE network to serve future green areas, as well as the construction of a 10 km potable water network. Works also include installation of street lighting, traffic signals, and directional signs, and provision of 4,310 parking spaces. Umm Slal Ali, Umm Ebairiya Village, South Umm Al Amad and North Bu Fessela Project (Package 1) has earned the International Safety Award with Distinction. The project commenced in May 2021 by Metito Company and employs 303 workers. It has achieved about 3.5 million man-hours without accidents since its commencement. The project will provide integrated road and infrastructure networks for the area. Additionally, Abu Samra Border Crossing Project has won the International Safety Award with Distinction after Tadmur Contracting Company began implementing the project in August 2021 and employs 478 workers. The project achieved 8 million man-hours w ithout accidents. It involves the development and doubling of the capacity of the immigration buildings to serve arrivals and departures, each of which has been increased from 9 vehicles to 24 vehicles, in addition to 48 tourist lanes with a capacity of 12,000 cars entering and 12,000 cars exiting the State of Qatar. This is in addition to the development of 4.5 km-long roads for the crossing, and infrastructure development of the area. Construction of Remaining Works in the Doha Industrial Area has won the International Safety Award with Distinction. The project commenced in June 2023 by GEC Contracting Services and Trading and has achieved 578,480 man-hours to date without accidents, wherein 218 workers are employed. The project will enhance the area's vital infrastructure services. Road Improvement Works in Western Areas has won the International Safety Award with Distinction. The project was started by ATTI-KAT in December 2022 and has achieved 801,060 man-hours without accidents. It employes 314 worker s. The project includes the construction of temporary roads, protection of existing facilities, and the provision of future service channels, street lighting and traffic signals. Al Kheesa North and East Roads and Infrastructure Project (Package 2) has won the International Safety Award with Distinction. China Railway Company began implementing the project in August 2021. The project employs 1,581 workers and has achieved 1.6 million man-hours without accidents since its commencement. The project aims to provide an internal streets network with a length of about 53 km and provide traffic safety elements and advanced street lighting systems, in addition to pedestrian and bicycle paths with a length of 106 km and over 7,000 parking spaces. It also includes the development of the area's infrastructure services. Al Wajba East Roads and Infrastructure Project (Package 3) has won the International Safety Award with Merit. The Project works commenced in February 2021 by Galfar Almisnad Engineering and Contracting Company and employs 341 workers. The project achieved a record 3,863,646 million man-hours without accidents. It provides an integrated network of roads, in addition to pedestrian and bicycle paths, dedicated parking spaces and afforestation works. It will also provide drainage, surface, groundwater, treated wastewater networks and potable water lines. Road Grading Project in West of Umm Slal Mohammed (Package 1) has also won the the International Safety Award with Merit. The project is being implemented by Marbu Contracting Company since February 2023. It has achieved 928,707 man-hours without accidents and employs 422 workers. Noteworthy, Ashghal won 8 awards in 2023, 9 awards in 2022, 4 awards in 2021, and 3 awards in 2020. Source: Qatar News Agency