Workplace safety compliance checklist: UAE

Site: ______________________ Date: ____________ Checked by: ______________________

01Know your rules

You know which rules apply: federal, plus your emirate or free zone. Decree-Law 33/2021 Art 3
Abu Dhabi: you know your risk level and Sector Regulatory Authority under ADOSH-SF. ADOSH-SF
Dubai construction: you hold the current Code of Construction Safety Practice. Decree 19/2025 Art 2, 4
Sharjah: you know the SPSA requirements for your work. Sharjah Res 15/2021

02Program and records

Written safety program suited to your size and work, with policy, responsibilities, risks and emergency procedures. AD 19/2023 Art 2
Rules set for contractors and long-term vendors. AD 19/2023 Art 2
Workers can comment and take part in safety decisions. AD 19/2023 Art 2
Penalties for safety breaches displayed, and workers told the risks before they start. AD 19/2023 Art 2, 4
Safety record ready for inspection: risks, inspections, certificates, drills, training, medical checks, incidents and minutes. AD 19/2023 Art 3
Worker files kept for at least two years after service ends. Decree-Law 33/2021 Art 13(1)

03People

Safety officer appointed if you are an industrial establishment, or a construction establishment with 100 or more workers. Licensed engineer or OSH institute graduate. MR 44/2022 Art 2; AD 19/2023 Art 10
Workers know their rights and duties, explained in a way they understand. Decree-Law 33/2021 Art 13(7)
Workers trained on the risks of their work. Decree-Law 33/2021 Art 13(6)
Safety rules and guidance displayed at the workplace. Decree-Law 33/2021 Art 13(6)

04Protection and health

Free protective equipment suited to each task, with a system to store and maintain it. AD 19/2023 Art 5
Workers use and look after their protective equipment. AD 19/2023 Art 9
Medical check before starting work, and at least every six months for those exposed to occupational diseases. AD 19/2023 Art 6
First aid boxes at workplaces and accommodation, trained first aiders, and a register of them. AD 19/2023 Art 6
Work vehicles licensed and air-conditioned, with enough seats and no one standing. AD 19/2023 Art 7

05Site hazards

Excavations over 1.5 metres have supported sides, safe access and no spoil beside the trench. Dubai: shoring above 1.2 metres. AD 19/2023 Art 4(m); DM Code ch 9
Scaffolds put up by licensed people and inspected at least weekly, with a report. AD 19/2023 Art 4(o)
Guardrails and harnesses at height. Federal rule at 8 metres; Dubai harness from 2 metres. AD 19/2023 Art 4(o); DM Code 4-2-8
Hoists and elevators examined at least yearly. Chains, ropes and wires maintained every six months. AD 19/2023 Art 4(l)
Crane operators hold valid licences. AD 19/2023 Art 4(l)

06Midday ban and heat

Program stops work in direct sun from 12:30 pm to 3 pm, 15 June to 15 September. MR 44/2022 Art 3
Shaded rest areas ready before 15 June. AD 19/2023 Art 11
Exempt work checked against the Article 11 list, and the reason recorded. AD 19/2023 Art 11
Exempt sites have cold water, hydration fluids, first aid, cooling and canopies. AD 19/2023 Art 11
Heat plan covers the hot hours and months outside the ban.

07Accommodation

If you have 50 or more workers each earning AED 1,500 or less a month, accommodation is provided. Check whether your emirate has raised that figure. MR 44/2022 Art 4
Accommodation registered in MoHRE's system, with correct details and documents. AD 19/2023 Art 12
At least 3 square metres per person, and 8 to 10 people at most per bedroom. UAE Government portal
No three-tier bunks, and at least one toilet for every 8 people. UAE Government portal

08Accidents

Named person, and a backup, can report an injury.
Everyone knows to get medical help and tell the police immediately after an accident. CR 33/2022 Art 3
MoHRE told immediately by the safety officer, and within 48 hours at the latest, with all the required details. CR 33/2022 Art 3; AD 19/2023 Art 10
Abu Dhabi: Form G goes in within 24 hours for a fatality, and 3 working days for other serious incidents. ADOSH-SF Mechanism 11
Incidents investigated, with corrective action, and the plan revised afterwards. AD 19/2023 Art 2, 10
Treatment and wages paid during recovery, and compensation worked out correctly. Decree-Law 33/2021 Art 37

09Dubai construction sites

Safety plan approved by the engineer and kept on site. DM Code 2-3-2, 2-3-3
Safety staff meet the minimum for each shift's headcount, with authority to stop unsafe work. DM Code 2-7, 2-13
Safe work permits in use for hot work, excavation, lockout, confined spaces and similar. DM Code 2-4-4
Third-party certificates current: cranes and earth-moving plant every 12 months; hoists and scaffolds every 6 months. DM Code 2-15
Operators retested every 12 months by an accredited body. DM Code 2-15
Staff know the calls: 999, 997 and 800900. DM Code 2-4-5
Written accident report goes in within 72 hours, and the record is kept for five years. DM Code 2-4-5

Legal requirement

Private-sector employers must protect workers under Federal Decree-Law 33 of 2021. Breaches with no specific penalty carry a fine of AED 5,000 to AED 1,000,000 (Art. 63). Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah add local rules. See our UAE law explainer.

Sources and further reading

Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 and its amendments, English translation, UAE Government.
Ministerial Resolution No. 44 of 2022 and its amendments, English translation, MoHRE.
Administrative Decision No. 19 of 2023, English translation, MoHRE.
Cabinet Resolution No. 33 of 2022 on work injuries and occupational diseases, English translation, MoHRE.
Health and safety at the workplace, UAE Government portal.
Labour accommodation, UAE Government portal.
ADOSH-SF Mechanism 11.0, ADPHC.
Decree No. 19 of 2025 Concerning Safety in Construction Works, Dubai Supreme Legislation Committee.
The Safety Guide for Construction Works in the Emirate of Dubai (Code of Construction Safety Practice), July 2026, Dubai Municipality.
Executive Council Resolution 15 of 2021, English, SPSA.

This is practical guidance, not legal advice. Laws and codes of practice change; always check the current official text and your site's own procedures.