The Labour Ministry has intensified inspections of workers’ accommodations across the country to ensure they meet the specified health and safety standards.
A number of informational brochures, aimed at raising awareness among both workers and employers, were distributed during these inspections.
The document outlined the necessary standards, particularly provision of space for each worker in shared rooms, with the number of occupants not exceeding eight in a room under any circumstances.
Inspectors also ensured that first-aid materials and safety equipment such as fire extinguishers were available in easy-to-reach areas.
The ministry stressed the importance of employers conducting regular maintenance of their workers’ accommodations and making necessary repairs to ensure safety.
Officials also urged the importance of ensuring compliance with specified requirements and standards, including electrical wiring and electrical panels.
It is essential for employers to obtain a fire safety certificate from the General Directorate of Civil Defence and provide fire extinguishers and a first-aid kit proportionate to the number of workers residing in the accommodations.
The ministry called on citizens and residents to adhere to the standards and conditions outlined by the authorities to ensure a safe and secure environment for workers.
The inspections come shortly after a mother and her special needs son were tragically killed after a fire broke out in a multi-storey building in Al Hejiyat on Tuesday.
According to the Interior Ministry, 16 people were rescued from the thick smoke that spread through the nine-storey social housing apartment that houses 32 families.
According to area MP Mohammed Al Marafi, initial findings show that faulty wirings could have triggered the blaze. The apartment where it started had nine family members sleeping in the living room at the time.
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