20 December 2007

Blood Money

Executives and managers in US industry are usually exempt from personal liability or criminal prosecution. Sure, there are some US environmental laws that allow personal prosecution, but the use of them against an individual is rare. The notice below was circulated via email to expats in the UAE. It should send chills down the spine of any expat in a position of responsibility. (The exchange rate is about 4 Dirhams to the dollar)

The payment of blood money is common in Sharia Law. It is a payment made to the family of the deceased to pay for the taking of a life.

MANAGERS & SUPERVISORS

The article below shows that safety on work sites is entering a new phase


(Dubai) Two men, one British and one Egyptian, were convicted yesterday for wrongfully causing the death of two labourers at construction site near Dubai Marina. They both received a one-month prison sentence and were fined dhs500 each.
The Court of Appeal in Dubai was told that two Indian labourers were killed as they plummeted more than 60 metres to the ground following an accident at their work site. The men had been in a cradle carrying them to the top of a building when a cement block fell from a crane and severed the cables securing the cradle at around the 18th floor.
Both men died instantly from massive injuries. An eyewitness told the court that although they alerted police and ambulances to the scene, nothing could be done for either man. A safety expert who testified to the court said the labourers had not been wearing safety harnesses at the time of the accident which may have prevented their deaths.
One of the men convicted yesterday is a British safety director for a construction company while the Egyptian convicted alongside him was the labourer’s supervisor, the court was told. The men were originally cleared of the offence at the Court of First Instance.
Both of the men found guilty in court were also ordered to pay dhs120,000 each to the relatives of the dead men.

Can you answer “YES” to these questions?
- Are you sure that the people on your work site are in compliance with the safety requirements today?
- Will your work team be in compliance when you leave the work area?
- Will your supervisors, foreman, performing parties ensure that all controls are in place before work commences?
- Did you attend a Toolbox or Job Start Meeting this morning?

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