Industrial Development Bureau releases first biannual report of 2016

ABU DHABI, 30th August, 2016 (WAM) -- The Industrial Development Bureau, IDB, of the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi, ADDED, has registered 379 industrial establishments in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in the Health, Safety and Environment Management System, EHSMS, in the first half of 2016. The bureau received 400 applications for registration in the system and approved 275 in the same period. 115 industrial establishments were nominated in the emirate for the development and implementation of the Occupational Health and Safety Management System, OHSMS. Ayman Al Makkawi, the bureau's Director-General, highlighted ADDED's commitment to develop, manage and control the emirate’s industrial sector in accordance with Law No. 08 of 2013 establishing the Industrial Development Bureau. According to the law, IDB is mandated to implement sector-related policies, plans and programmes by providing the environmental and legal frameworks regulating the setup of industrial projects in Abu Dhabi. The biannual report of the IDB’s Environment, Health and Safety, EHS, Directorate said that in compliance with the requirements of the regulatory framework of Abu Dhabi Emirate Environment, Health and Safety Management System, AD EHSMS, and the Executive Council’s concerned resolution, all industrial establishments should develop an EHS Management System and acquire the approval of IDB, being the regulatory body for environment, health and safety in the industrial sector. "By taking measures to ensure compliance with the requirements of EHS and occupational safety in Abu Dhabi’s industrial establishments, the IDB is keen to ensure that the economic development sector is following Abu Dhabi’s plan, creating a competitive, resilient environment for doing business, developing an effective private sector and rewarding investment opportunities," Makkawi said. The report said that during the first half of 2016, the IDB received 81 EHS accident reports from various industrial establishments. It also received 62 reported accidents, of which 6 were investigated and 5 investigations were completed. The report also said that during the period, the IDB’s EHS Directorate received other EHSMS external audit reports of approximately 122 industrial establishments, of which 95 were reviewed, 27 are still under review and 9 were referred to OSHAD to verify their quality. In addition, 76 EHSMS audit reports were received, and among them 60 have been reviewed. According to the report, the IDB’s EHS Directorate has performed 12 external audits of the EHSMS’s of industrial establishments during the period in order to verify the industrial establishments’ implementation of the System and their adherence to Abu Dhabi’s EHSMS regulatory framework and its requirements for the industrial sector. The report also said that during the period, 9 'ban' notices were issued to industrial establishments in Abu Dhabi as a result of inspections performed to ensure compliance with safe EHS practices. Industrial establishments are under continuous follow-up to ensure and verify their implementation of the remedial actions required, as significant improvements were noted in the area of EHS practices. – Emirates News Agency, WAM -http://www.wam.ae/en/news/general/1395299290108.html