Trump threatens 50% tariffs on Brazil if it doesn't stop the Bolsonaro 'witch hunt' trial    Trump praises 'good English' of Liberian president, prompting criticism across Africa    Saudi, Hungarian defense ministers discuss military ties    Al-Rajhi: Cabinet's decision is supportive to most vulnerable groups    King Salman appoints Dr. Majid Al-Fayyad as Royal Court advisor    Alkhorayef emphasizes Saudi Arabia's growing role as global industrial investment hub    Saudi Arabia adopts World Drowning Prevention Day as national health priority    GACA imposes SR2.8 million in fines for 87 civil aviation violations in Q2 2025    Desperate Gaza doctors cram several babies into one incubator as fuel crisis reaches critical point    Total e-messages sent to parties in lawsuits reach over 11.8 million during first half of 2025    3 arrested in assault case in Riyadh    New Property Ownership Law will take into effect in January 2026 Al-Hogail thanks King and Crown Prince for the updated law    HONOR returns to Esports World Cup as Official Smartphone Partner for 2025 The renewed commitment will see HONOR elevate mobile esports competition with cutting-edge AI technologies and industry-leading hardware    Riot Games responds to match-fixing allegations in VALORANT    BLAST responds to BESTIA Visa controversy ahead of CS2 Austin major    Christophe Galtier named NEOM SC head coach ahead of historic Saudi Pro League debut    Michael Madsen, actor of 'Kill Bill' and 'Reservoir Dogs' fame, dead at 67    BTS are back: K-pop band confirm new album and tour    Michelin Guide launches in Saudi Arabia with phased rollout in 2025    'How fragile we are': Roskilde Festival tragedy remembered 25 years on    Sholay: Bollywood epic roars back to big screen after 50 years with new ending    Ministry launches online booking for slaughterhouses on eve of Eid Al-Adha    Shah Rukh Khan makes Met Gala debut in Sabyasachi    Pakistani star's Bollywood return excites fans and riles far right    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



GOSI: Lack of safety measures at construction sites
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 09 - 01 - 2013


Saudi Gazette report
DAMMAM — The Kingdom has witnessed remarkable economic growth in many sectors during the past few years. Riding on the building boom, the construction industry has witnessed unrivaled growth but it also remains mired in controversy. Construction workers endure summer heat, winter cold, rain and hazardous working conditions while many construction companies refuse to insure their workers and fail to emphasize safety, a local daily reported.
Spokesman of the General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI), Abdullah Al-Abduljabbar, told Al-Watan newspaper the construction sector represents a large percentage of GOSI subscribers. GOSI provides social insurance to Saudi citizens, but also compensates expatriates when a severe work-related injury or death occurs. Health and occupational safety inspectors of GOSI conduct regular field visits to construction sites due to the large number of expatriates who are injured every year. The inspectors listed negligence in using safety equipment as the main reason behind construction-related injuries.
According to the latest statistics, 68,431 injuries took place in 2012. This figure includes injuries caused by traffic accidents, as workers commute to and from work, and injuries that occur during work. Death occurred in 0.4 percent of the total injuries. Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and Makkah recorded the most injuries due to the large number of construction projects underway. Acting spokesman for the Eastern Province Health Affairs Directorate, Asaad Saud, said the three most common reported injuries are fractures, spinal and head injuries. Saud added that the emergency unit of the Eastern Province Health Affairs Directorate receives two to three work-related injuries a month.
When an injury occurs at the workplace, a report is submitted electronically with a medical report. A GOSI office then investigates the injury, and informs the relevant medical bodies accordingly. Companies that do not implement safety recommendations are penalized and their GOSI occupational hazards subscription fees are increased. The penalty is removed once the company implements the safety recommendations. During their visits, inspectors explain to workers the most common causes of work-related injuries and ways to avoid them. In order to better influence workers, companies are encouraged to educate their employees on the proper precautions and safety measures to take.
Meteorology professor and occupational health researcher at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Prof. Mansour Balkhoyoor, emphasized the importance of workers' awareness of safety measures. He said the labor law guarantees workers their occupational rights and safety.
“The problem isn't with large companies; they generally have dedicated departments to monitor and ensure workers abide by safety rules. But smaller companies that have 50 or less workers commonly flaunt safety rules and take advantage of lax monitoring from the concerned bodies,” he said. Balkhoyoor called upon the concerned bodies to intensify their efforts and apply stricter penalties on companies that endanger the lives of workers.


Clic here to read the story from its source.