The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) Wednesday said it has achieved 5 million working man-hours without injuries or accidents since the start of the operation and maintenance of the drainage network in the Southern areas of Qatar.
Eng. Khaled Al Obaidly, Manager of Drainage Networks Operation and Maintenance (DNOM) in Ashghal, has handed Metito-Qatar a certificate of appreciation for its efforts in maintaining health and safety measures at work sites, in the presence of representatives of Ashghal, the consulting office, and a number of workers, Ashghal said in a press statement.
Eng. Al Obaidly commented: “The safety of our employees and contractors is one of our top priorities, so we always ensure adherence to the highest standards of health, safety, and environmental sustainability measures and apply best practices.”
Operation and maintenance of drainage facilities in southern Qatar is done through more than 800 specialised engineers and technicians. All working through three basic systems; the drainage management system, which includes a drainage treatment plant in South Doha with a production capacity of 204000 cubic meters/day and a sanitation treatment plant in the industrial zone, in addition to lifting stations, 7 sub-treatment plants, groundwater management system and irrigation water management system.
South Qatar areas include Doha, Al Wakra, Al Wukair, Al Mashaf, Industrial Area, Old Airport, Msheireb, Ain Khaled, Bu Hamour, Al Thumama, Najma, Barwa, Birkat Al Awamar, Mukaynis, Al Kiranah, Economic Zone, Al Mamoura, Salatah Al Jadidah, Umm Ghuwailina, Al Doha Al Jadeeda, Old Alghanim, Al-Hitmi, and Al Asiri.
This comes within the framework of the comprehensive development programme “Takamul”, which is based on dividing the drainage works in Qatar into three regions (North, South and West), to enhance the efficiency of the action plans and strategy in place to reduce the incidence of injuries.
Al Jabri added that Ashghal is striving to promote excellence in work and organise comprehensive training programmes with the aim of building the capabilities of Ashghal engineers and gaining the necessary practical experiences in work sites. This is in addition to effectively monitoring the implementation of strict standards set by Ashghal in project sites and workers’ accommodations.
On the other hand, Ashghal in cooperation with its partners is keen to plan and implement asset maintenance on an ongoing basis in order to raise its efficiency and ensure its sustainability, and to provide distinctive service to its users, the people of Qatar. This is in addition to the use of innovative methods to implement maintenance plans using the latest global technology systems, which ensure reducing dependence on the human element, preserving the environment and raising the quality of service provided.
Waleed Orabi, CEO of Metito Qatar, noted that achieving this number of working hours without any accidents reflects the success of the tireless efforts to maintain the health and safety of employees, and the continuation of efforts to prevent accidents or any injuries and to take all security and safety measures in accordance with the latest regulations in line with Ashghal's strategy.
This commitment has contributed to the development of a conscious work environment that is familiar with safety and health standards and our role towards achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030.
“QHSSE's Quality, Health, Safety, Security and Environment team continues its efforts to apply the culture of “safety first” through the operation stages of different stations, through conducting awareness training and establishing rules and regulations that develop personal responsibility for any risks and promote and create a positive work environment topped by safety in sites.