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Abu Dhabi safety authority documents
Laws, codes of practice and key documents for Abu Dhabi, linked to the official pages. Entries without a recorded link are listed as text: use the authority's website to find the current version.
Primary authority: Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre
Laws and regulations
- Law No. 14 of 2019 — Establishment of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (2019) Establishes ADPHC as the primary OSH authority for Abu Dhabi emirate
- Decree No. 42 of 2009 — Environment, Health and Safety Management System in Abu Dhabi (2009) Mandates OSHMS implementation for all employers in Abu Dhabi emirate
- Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 — Regulation of Labour Relations (2021) Federal labour law — employer duties, worker rights, OSH obligations
- Ministerial Resolution No. 122 of 2026 — Updated Labour Accommodation Requirements (2026) Updated standards for worker accommodation — free internet, 24/7 clinics, CCTV, security
- Federal Law No. 23 of 2006 — Civil Defence (2006) National civil defence framework, fire safety standards, emergency response
- Cabinet Resolution No. 50 of 2019 — Organise Civil Defence Services (2019) Detailed civil defence service requirements, inspection regime
- EAD Law No. 21 of 2005 — Waste Management Law (2005) Solid waste management, disposal, environmental protection in Abu Dhabi
- EAD Law No. 22 of 2005 — Terrestrial Conservation Law (2005) Wildlife, biodiversity, and terrestrial environment protection
- EAD Law No. 5 of 2016 — Groundwater Conservation Law (2016) Regulation of groundwater extraction and protection
- Ministerial Resolution No. 44 of 2022, Article 3 — Outdoor Work Ban (2022) Midday work ban for work under direct sunlight and in open places: 12:30–15:00 UAE time, 15 June–15 September annually; technical exceptions require the applicable MOHRE procedure and safeguards
Codes of practice
- CoP 2.0 — Personal Protective Equipment (PPE selection, use, maintenance, and training requirements)
- CoP 3.0 — Occupational Noise (Noise exposure limits, monitoring, hearing protection, audiometric testing)
- CoP 4.0 — First Aid and Medical Emergency Treatment (First aid provision, trained first aiders, medical emergency procedures)
- CoP 5.0 — Occupational Health Screening and Medical Surveillance (Pre-employment, periodic, and exit health screening requirements)
- CoP 11.0 — Safety in the Heat (Heat stress prevention, acclimatisation, monitoring, emergency response)
- CoP 15.0 — Electrical Safety (Temporary electrical installations, isolation, earthing, RCD, DB standards)
- CoP 18.0 — Employer Supplied Accommodation — General Requirements (Labour camp standards: rooms, sanitation, food, medical, fire safety)
- CoP 18.1 — Temporary Employer Supplied Accommodation (Temporary camp standards for construction sites)
- CoP 21.0 — Permit to Work Systems (PTW framework, hot work, electrical isolation, confined space, excavation)
- CoP 22.0 — Barricading of Hazards (Exclusion zones, barriers, signage, public protection)
- CoP 23.0 — Working at Heights (WAH trigger height (2m), risk assessment, collective protection priority)
- CoP 24.0 — Lock-out / Tag-out (Isolation) (Electrical and mechanical isolation procedures, LOTO devices)
- CoP 25.0 — Driver Fatigue Prevention (Hours of service, rest periods, fatigue management for drivers)
- CoP 26.0 — Scaffolding (Scaffold design, erection, inspection, handover certificate, dismantling)
- CoP 27.0 — Confined Spaces (Entry permit, atmospheric testing, standby person, rescue plan)
- CoP 28.0 — Hot Work Operations (Welding, cutting, grinding permits, fire watch, hot work area clearance)
- CoP 29.0 — Excavation Work (Permit to dig, shoring (>1.5m), atmospheric monitoring, edge protection)
- CoP 34.0 — Safe Use of Lifting Equipment and Lifting Accessories (Crane SWL, LOLER, thorough examination, lift plans, exclusion zones)
- CoP 36.0 — Plant and Equipment (Plant inspection, operator competency, daily checks, maintenance records)
- CoP 37.0 — Ladders (Ladder selection, inspection, use, angle, securing requirements)
- CoP 40.0 — False Work and Formwork (Temporary works design, permit to strike, concrete strength verification before striking, dismantling permission)
- CoP 39.0 — Overhead and Underground Services (CAT scan, trial pits, service clearances, safe digging practice)
- CoP 44.0 — Traffic Management and Logistics (Site traffic management plan, pedestrian/vehicle segregation, banksman)
- CoP 51.0 — Powered Lift Trucks (Forklift operator licence, daily inspection, load capacity, pedestrian zones)
- CoP 53.1 — OSH Management During Construction Work (Construction HSE plan, principal contractor duties, site safety management)
- CoP 53.1 — OSH Construction Management Plan (Mandatory CMP format, content requirements, submission and approval)
- CoP 54.0 — Waste Management (Construction waste segregation, disposal, recycling, waste management plan)
Key documents
Abu Dhabi checklists
Construction HSEWorker welfareFire safetyEnvironmentAll emirates
General reference only, not legal advice. Links go to third-party official sites and may change; confirm the current version with the issuing authority.
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