(18 March 2009)
Aldar Properties PJSC, Abu Dhabi’s leading property development, management and investment company, is the first master developer of Abu Dhabi to formally become a full signatory member of Build Safe UAE. Build Safe UAE is a not for profit organisation aimed at improving the health, safety and welfare conditions of all construction industry stakeholders through the free exchange and sharing of information between organisations working in the UAE. The move is in line with Aldar’s efforts to raise the bar on health and safety standards. Aldar won the Best Health and Safety Achievement in construction award for 2008, granted by the Safety and Health Practitioner and Institution in Occupation Safety and Health (IOSH) and has implemented the ?million man hours with zero injuries’ and ?Recognised 4 Safety’ award initiatives at all its sites. Andrew Broderick, Aldar’s Head of Health, Safety and Environment, commented: "This is a tremendous step forward for health, safety ’&’ welfare in the construction industry of the UAE. As the largest master developer of Abu Dhabi, Aldar is setting a strong example in supporting this campaign’s vision to improve the current benchmark of health, safety ’&’ welfare performance for all construction stakeholders in the UAE. We hope this move will trigger wider commitment to more stringent health, safety ’&’ welfare standards." John Bullough, CEO of Aldar Properties, added, "I was honoured to attend and formally sign up to this important initiative as Aldar is committed to providing a safe working environment for its employees and all who work on its behalf, upholding the appropriate guidelines and laws of the Abu Dhabi Emirate and the Abu Dhabi Municipality Health and Safety Codes of Practice. The success of this initiative will become evident through the full support, commitment and collaboration from all construction industry stakeholders in the UAE." Grahame McCaig, Chairman of Build Safe UAE, said : "The commitment and support demonstrated by Aldar Properties in helping us to extend the next phase of Build Safe UAE throughout the Emirate of Abu Dhabi has been enormous. We now have a top tier master developer of Abu Dhabi leading this industry by strong example through its public endorsement of our campaign and vision to improve the current benchmark of Health, Safety ’&’ Welfare performance for all construction stakeholders in the UAE. ’’We hope this will encourage other developers and construction stakeholders to collaborate more positively and move towards more stringent Health, Safety ’&’ Welfare standards."