KUWAIT CITY, July 17: Kuwait Municipality has intensified its inspection campaigns across construction sites in residential and investment zones to ensure strict adherence to occupational health and safety standards, aiming to maintain a safe working environment for workers and the public alike.

Abdulrahman Al-Rasheed, head of the Kuwait Municipality inspection team in Hawalli Governorate, told KUNA that the law mandates critical safety measures to protect not only construction workers but also citizens and residents living near ongoing projects. Among these regulations is the requirement to fence off construction sites with secure walls, which helps prevent materials from falling onto passersby. Additionally, wooden supports must be replaced with iron ones to enhance structural safety during construction.

Al-Rasheed emphasized that the primary objective of these field inspections is to raise awareness about safety rather than to penalize. As a result, the municipality teams tend to issue warnings more frequently than violations during their visits.

When violations are detected, contractors receive a 72-hour notice to address all cited issues. Following this period, inspectors revisit the site to verify that necessary corrections have been made. Al-Rasheed noted a high compliance rate among contractors following warnings, though he affirmed that the municipality will enforce strict regulatory measures if violations persist, prioritizing the protection of lives.

During a recent tour of Mishref and Hawalli areas, the inspection team issued 68 warnings, recorded one violation, and filed 102 field reports.

Al-Rasheed underscored the importance of obtaining all required permits before commencing construction to avoid violations and expedite safety compliance. He praised the municipality’s efforts to streamline the permit issuance process, facilitating faster project starts and improving safety outcomes.

Finally, he called on contractors and the public to strictly observe the municipality’s rules, noting that inspection teams across all governorates are committed to enforcing Kuwait Municipality’s safety regulations.