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Crane Operators Suffering from Seizures Pose Risk to Others

DUBAI - A health and safety expert from Singapore recently cautioned that crane operators, who work long hours and operate at great heights, could pose a risk to the health and even lives of their colleagues if they are suffering from conditions that could trigger seizures.

Fifty per cent of all accidents at construction sites occur as a result of falls from heights. Crane mishaps also account for almost 20 per cent of accidents.

David Koh, professor of Occupational Medicine at National University of Singapore, gave a presentation in Dubai last month on the importance of medical screening in the early employment stage.

“For certain professions, epilepsy, diabetes and heart problems can be a massive risk not only to the worker but also to his colleagues and the general public as well,” he told the Khaleej Times.

“If it is office work, for instance, it wouldn’t matter so much.

“But if you were working at a great height or as a crane driver then it would become dangerous if the worker or the company is not aware of the conditions.

“Some prescription drugs too can also carry side effects and those normally come with advice not to use heavy machinery.

“If that advice isn’t given then there is a likelihood of accidents.”

Currently in the UAE, there is no rule that stipulates that construction firms must put their employees to tests that could diagnose conditions, if any, which could lead to seizures, as in the case of epilepsy or diabetes.

Moreover, companies do not have to ensure proper vision of their employee, nor can they check whether any employee is on prescribed medication that could cause dizziness.

Tests for visa applicants to the UAE only focus on detecting potential blood diseases such as Hepatitis B and HIV.

In Western Europe and North America, additional medical fitness tests are required for a variety of professions which check for a range of other potentially impairments.

New health and safety rules were brought in by the Dubai Municipality in July 2008 for the construction sector, but they did not include a requirement for medical fitness tests.

Dr Waseem Alalami, from Mirdif Safety and Security Consultants, who advised the municipality on the code, said there were no requirements on construction companies to test employees for medical conditions outside of the tests already done for processing of visa.

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