Damac Properties said it has recorded an impressive safety performance across its major construction sites in Dubai for 2008 and outlined its continued commitment to work with contractors to improve further in 2009.

During 2008 a total of nearly 18 million man hours were reported across Damac’s main sites in Dubai.

There were no fatalities on site and just seven Lost Time Injuries (LTIs) occurring in the year. This puts the frequency rate of incidents per one million man hours at a low of rate 0.4 per cent, said Dr. Ekarath Raveendran, the company’s health safety and environment manager said.

"Out of the sample 12 construction sites monitored, nine recorded no LTIs at all and at six sites no medial treatment was needed during the entire year," he noted.

Commenting on Damac safety performance, Raveendran said: "Construction sites are hazardous places and as a company we have been working hard with our contractors to increase awareness of safety and draw attention to the risks for our staff and contractors on site."

"This has been through a number of measures from safety bulletins and advice, to special training, to daily inspections and regular independent assessments by HSE auditors," he explained.

"In addition any accidents or incident details are circulated for information and learning throughout the company," Raveendran added.

The 12 Damac Properties sites that were included in the safety audit were Executive Heights and Smart Heights at Tecom, The Crescent and Lago Vista at IMPZ; Park Towers at DIFC; Business Tower and XL Tower at Business Bay; Lake View at Jumeirah Lake Towers; Emirates Gardens One and Two and Tuscan Residences, at Jumeirah Village South and Ocean Heights at Dubai Marina.

Damac Properties CEO Peter Riddoch congratulated the team for its safety performance and stressed the need to remain safe at work.

He outlined a number of ways the company will look to improve its performance in 2009 including monthly meetings between staff, contractors and consultants; safety site of the month awards and weekly visits by an HSE manager.

Riddoch commented: ‘Our sites are performing well and we commend all of our project management teams on site and the contractors who work with us in delivering this great safety performance in 2008.

"We want everyone who works with us to be safe at work and very often this is down to having the right attitude and taking due care and attention."

"We will continue to look for ways that we can improve our performance and further reduce the number of LTIs on site. Our overall aim is to instil and develop a true ‘safety first’ culture at Damac Properties,’ he added.-TradeArabia News Service