The British Safety Council, an international organization dedicated to
promoting global safety processes and measures recently awarded Al Habtoor
Engineering an International Award for Best Safety Practices at their Jumeirah
Beach Residence projects. Only companies with below-average accident rates are
eligible to apply and winners must also have good safety policies, plans and
commitment to health and safety at the highest level. They must detail their
health and safety officers’ qualifications and provide information about
significant advances they have made in health and safety for the year. A team
came from UK to conduct the audits and assessments. The award was preceded by a
series of grueling audit sessions carried out by an independent adjudicating
panel, and was given to the company’s mega project Jumeirah Beach Residence – 4,
valued at a whopping AED 1 Billion.
The award was presented to recipients at an award ceremony held at Lincoln’s Inn
in London. Four delegates consisting of the Project Director Ziad Ammous,
Project Safety Manager Issa Shakin, Company Safety Manager Andrew Land and the
Corporate Affairs Asst. Manager Shahnaz Imam attended the International Safety
Awards Winners Banquet, held on the 19th of May 07 at the Grosvenor House,
London. The ceremony was a gala event attended by over 500 companies from
various countries across the globe. A formal black tie event, it was marked with
entertainment and great food.
The British Prime Minister Tony Blair added his support for the awards: “I offer
my congratulations to all of the organizations being presented with an award by
the British Safety Council. These awards recognize the critical success they
have achieved in their pursuit of excellence in the management of health, safety
and environmental matters.”
On the 31st of May, at an impressive press conference ceremony held at Al
Habtoor Grand Hotel, Dubai, the Managing Partner of Al Habtoor Engineering, Riad
T Sadik, received the award from the Chairperson of the British Safety Council,
Nina Wrightson, who flew all the way from the UK to attend the event. She
congratulated Al Habtoor Group on achieving this award. She told the audience
that strict guidelines had to be adhered to and a group of experts in the field
decide whether the company follows them all, before conferring the award. She
hoped that this award would be the first of the many in the region. The invitees
included Mohammad Al Habtoor, CEO of Al Habtoor Group and Rahim Abu Omar, Head
of Habtoor Hospitality, members of various media houses, Dubai bodies, Clients,
Consultants and Subcontractors.
Lina Sadek, the Corporate Affairs Manager briefly described the company’s growth
and discussed a few mandates of the company’s growth plan. “Of late we have
embarked on several initiatives in bringing about a change in the way we work
and the way we do business. Already we can see the positive forces working. This
year’s mandate as part of our vision 2010 is not only promoting safety in the
region but leading the way by setting an example. We are looking forward to more
tie-ups and a partnership in this regard. The winning of the award has provided
us an impetus to move further in this direction.” She also highlighted the
gradual growth of the company from the last 37 years of its existence. She
emphasized that the company had led the way in quality and safety and was a
leader among the peers of the construction companies in the UAE.
Nigel Poole also spoke of the good practices and initiatives of the company. The
panel presentation was followed by an official award handover ceremony by the
Chief Guest, Nina Wrightson to the Managing Partner, Riad T Sadik. Questions
were not only addressed to the expert panel and speakers but also to Nina
Wrightson. Nina gave a small speech about the British Safety Council. The Safety
Officer of TECOM, Abdul Aziz complimented the company on their achievement and
further elaborated that as one of the leaders in the industry, the company
should consistently make similar efforts in all spheres of their activities.
Compliments poured in from several reputed companies and HEE would like to thank
everyone for their support.
