United Arab Emirates — Construction HSE regulations
Capital Abu Dhabi. Primary regulator: Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
Enforcing authorities
Key legislation and codes
| Reference | Title | Year | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Decree-Law No. 33/2021 Key | Regulating Labour Relations | 2021 | All private sector workers |
| Cabinet Resolution No. 1/2022 Key | Implementing Regulation of Labour Law | 2022 | All private sector |
| MoHRE Resolution No. 122/2026 Key | Updated Labour Accommodation Requirements | 2026 | Labour camps 500+ workers |
| ADOSH-SF CoP 23.0 | Working at Heights | 2023 | Abu Dhabi — all construction sites |
| ADOSH-SF CoP 26.0 | Scaffolding | 2023 | Abu Dhabi — all construction sites |
| ADOSH-SF CoP 29.0 | Excavation Work v4.0 | 2024 | Abu Dhabi — all construction sites |
| ADOSH-SF CoP 34.0 | Safe Use of Lifting Equipment | 2023 | Abu Dhabi — all construction sites |
| ADOSH-SF CoP 36.0 | Plant and Equipment | 2023 | Abu Dhabi — all construction sites |
| ADOSH-SF CoP 15.0 | Electrical Safety | 2023 | Abu Dhabi — all construction sites |
| OSHJ-CoP-02 v3 | OSH Management in Construction | 2025 | Sharjah — all construction sites |
| RAKEZ HSE Construction Regulation | RAKEZ Construction HSE Requirements | 2023 | RAK free zone |
| Fujairah Site Safety Guidelines | Fujairah Construction Safety | 2023 | Fujairah emirate |
Construction requirements
UAE construction sites are governed by a layered regulatory framework. Federal law requires employers with 100+ construction workers to appoint a qualified HSO. Abu Dhabi's ADOSH-SF provides the most comprehensive CoP library in the GCC — covering working at height (2m trigger), scaffolding (950mm guardrail), excavation (1.5m shoring trigger), lifting equipment (6-monthly thorough examination), plant and equipment (ROPS/FOPS, pre-use checks), electrical safety (BS 7671, RCD 30mA), and traffic management. Dubai Municipality adds Technical Guidelines for cranes, MEWPs, confined spaces, and heat stress. Sharjah OSHJ-CoP-02 v3 (2025) covers risk assessment, method statements, PTW, and site induction in detail.
Worker welfare
Mandatory mid-day break 12:30–15:00 from 15 June to 15 September. MoHRE Resolution No. 122/2026 mandates free internet, 24/7 medical clinics for camps with 1,000+ workers, 1 supervisor per 200 workers, CCTV at all entrances, and People of Determination facilities. Health insurance mandatory in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. ADOSH-SF CoP 18.0 and 18.1 cover employer-supplied and temporary accommodation standards in detail.
Penalties and enforcement
Dubai Municipality can issue stop-work orders and fines for site non-compliance. Abu Dhabi ADOSH-SF includes a Compliance and Enforcement CoP. Fujairah guidelines state violations result in penalties or site closure. MoHRE fines apply for labour law breaches. Trakhees includes sanctions and penalties provisions in its EHS regulations.
International standards recognised
- ISO 45001
- BS 7671:2018
- IEC 60364
- NFPA 101
- BS 4363
- BS EN 61439-4
- EN 361
- EN 355
- EN 795
- IPAF PAL Card
- PASMA
Free zones and special jurisdictions
- JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone)
- Dubai World
- RAKEZ
- Ajman Free Zone
- UAQ Free Trade Zone
- Trakhees / PCFC zones