Crackdown on safety violations in Muharraq

Exposed electricity wirings, unsafe water connections, gas stoves and cylinders in unsafe areas were some of the safety violations found in a major inspection drive that was carried out across the Muharraq Governorate. The violations were found in shops as well as residential buildings. According to Interior Ministry sources, the inspections were mainly carried out in crowded localities of Muharraq.

“Rather than taking action ourselves, we invited officials from various agencies concerned and ministries to take a look and jointly carry out detailed inspections,” Director General Brigadier Fawaz Al Hassan told Interior Ministry’s Al Amn Magazine. Teams from the Ministry of Health, Civil Defence and the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA), as well as representatives from the sanitation and sewerage directorates of the Works Ministry and officials of the Muharraq Municipality were also part of the inspections.

“The complaint we received at the Police Services Office was that the buildings, in a crowded neighbourhood, inhabited by groups of workers, lack the minimum security and safety requirements. After recording the communication, we requested permission from the Public Prosecution to inspect the buildings in co-ordination with the competent authorities - the Ministry of Health, Electricity and Water Authority, Muharraq Municipality and the Department of Sanitary and Civil Defence,” the official pointed out.

He said that the administrative officials from the buildings were summoned and warned about the violations. The authorities advised maintenance of damaged floors and replacement of damaged ceramics as well as use of safe water tanks. “It was also suggested no-one should use blue plastic barrels, originally used to store chemicals, to store water,” he said. “Other recommendations included removing gas cylinders outside the building and making proper extensions; replacing damaged wooden furniture from the building like doors and cabinets, etc with high-end materials such as aluminium; providing adequate lighting in all facilities; replacing damaged lamps and installing additional lamps; providing sufficient space for each worker in each room; isolating exposed electrical wiring,” the report stated.

Brig Al Hassan said that the Civil Defence had many a time alerted people about the dangers of keeping gas cylinders in rooms. “There were gas stoves in rooms and in many cases the electricity meter box was found to defective.” Speaking about one of the buildings inspected, he said, “Workers’ housing in the first floor contained very dangerous extensions as well as water courses with dangerous extensions that may lead to direct electrical shock,” he said.

Brig Al Hassan said according to the sewage management officials, there are reports of frequent disconnection in the sewerage system. “The main reason is that the restaurants discharge the oil waste into the sewage network and cause frequent disconnection and damage to the network.” He said all the violations have been recorded and those responsible have been given reasonable time to set things right. “We will carry out another inspection soon and take appropriate action. The full force of the law would be upon the violators if they do not take action to rectify the faults.”