More than 4 million workhours without a lost-time incident (LTI) have been recorded by Khansaheb on the University of Birmingham Dubai’s campus in Dubai International Academic City, which is nearing completion.
The achievement reflects successful implementation of the highest health, safety, and environment (HSE) procedures and puts the construction project on track for completion in Q3 2021, with 100% of structural works already finished.
Rigorous measures have been adopted to ensure the safety of the more-than 6,000 workers deployed to deliver the campus in Dubai’s largest academic ecosystem, home to more than 27,000 students from over 100 countries.
Khansaheb, the main contractor, worked in collaboration with the University of Birmingham Dubai and Dubai International Academic City to implement stringent HSE protocols.
This included working with certified third-party operators, machines, and equipment to deliver complex and potentially dangerous work at high and low heights, such as façade fixing, MEP services, plastering, and gypsum application.
Mohammad Abdullah, Managing Director of Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park said: “The safety milestones marked in the construction of the new University of Birmingham Dubai campus have been remarkable, not just due to the unique environment we currently operate in, but because the project itself involves such intricate levels of attention to detail.
“We are excited to see the new campus take shape. The University of Birmingham is a world-class academic institution and ranked in the top 100 universities in the world. We are confident that it will further cement Dubai’s position as an attractive and competitive destination for higher education and promote the knowledge-based economy.”
As part of the safety measures, dedicated pedestrian access has been created for workers, staff, and visitors at the new campus to minimise man-machine interface, reducing incident probability.
As even minor heights may cause severe accidents, industrial hop-ups have been provided for all high-access work.
Bi-weekly maintenance services, constant atmospheric inspections around manholes, regular job rotations, good lighting and cooling in work areas, and strict barricading ensure that the construction site is safe and secure.
More than 56 water stations have been erected at different locations across the project providing sufficient access to cool drinking water and isotonic solutions to avoid the risk of dehydration, alongside on-site dining facilities that can accommodate over 250 workers with COVID-19 social distancing requirements in place. Provisions have also been made to heat food before consumption.
The new University of Birmingham Dubai campus will eventually be home for up to 2,900 students and features innovative teaching and research spaces to encourage cross-disciplinary working.
There will also be a focus on learning spaces incorporating digital technology and a student hub to support student needs across teaching and wellbeing.
The building is located opposite the city’s first purpose-built student housing community – looking across parkland and green spaces and reflecting the green heart of the University, giving the student community a campus university experience.
Sheltered courtyards and social spaces that have been designed to enhance sustainability will provide a relaxing environment in keeping with the Dubai climate.