Plant & machinery authorities & standards

Federal Law No. 8 of 1980 establishes the employer's duty to provide a safe workplace. Ministerial Decision No. 32 of 1982 specifically covers lifting equipment safety. MoHRE Decision No. 624 of 2022 sets penalties for non-compliance with equipment inspections — up to AED 50,000 per violation. These apply UAE-wide across all emirates.

• Federal Law No. 8 of 1980 — UAE Labour Law
• Ministerial Decision No. 32 of 1982 — Lifting Equipment Safety
• MoHRE Decision No. 624 of 2022 — Equipment Inspection Penalties

Abu Dhabi's ADOSH-SF framework is the most comprehensive plant and machinery regulatory system in the UAE. CoP 34.0 covers all lifting equipment including cranes, hoists, and lifting accessories. CoP 36.0 covers all other plant and equipment including excavators, compressors, and generators. CoP 44.0 mandates site-specific Traffic Management Plans. CoP 51.0 specifically covers forklifts and powered lift trucks. CoP 53.0 requires plant registers and lifting plans as part of the OSH Construction Management Plan.

• ADOSH-SF CoP 34.0 — Safe Use of Lifting Equipment and Lifting Accessories v4.0 (2024)
• ADOSH-SF CoP 36.0 — Plant and Equipment v4.0 (2024)
• ADOSH-SF CoP 44.0 — Traffic Management and Logistics v4.0 (2024)
• ADOSH-SF CoP 51.0 — Powered Lift Trucks (Forklifts) v4.0 (2024)
• ADOSH-SF CoP 53.0 — OSH Construction Management Plan v4.0 (2024)

Dubai Municipality's Code of Construction Safety Practice covers crane erection, inspection, load handling, and operator certification. Dubai Municipality examines, tests, and certifies cranes and other lifting equipment within Dubai — a valid DM certificate is required for all lifting equipment. The RTA issues Special Nature Driving Permits (SNDPs) for plant and machinery operated within designated project sites — these replace standard driving licences for on-site use and are valid for 2 years (private) or 5 years (government sites).

• Dubai Municipality Code of Construction Safety Practice
• RTA Special Nature Driving Permits — Construction Site Machinery

Sharjah follows the ADOSH-SF framework adapted for Sharjah through the Occupational Safety and Health in Sharjah (OSHJ) authority under SPSA. All plant and machinery requirements from ADOSH-SF CoP 34.0, 36.0, 44.0, and 51.0 apply. Sharjah Municipality also has authority over construction site inspections.

RAK follows federal MoHRE standards and ADOSH-SF CoP requirements. RAKEZ industrial zones have additional plant safety requirements for managed sites. RAK Municipality oversees construction site inspections. All crane and lifting equipment must have valid third-party inspection certificates.

Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain follow federal MoHRE standards. Local municipality building departments oversee construction site inspections. All plant and machinery must comply with ADOSH-SF CoP requirements as the applicable federal standard. Third-party inspection certificates are required for all lifting equipment.

Free zone authorities impose their own supplementary plant and machinery requirements in addition to federal standards. Trakhees enforces Dubai Municipality and UAE Fire and Life Safety Code requirements for JAFZA and other Dubai free zones. KIZAD (Abu Dhabi) follows ADOSH-SF requirements. All free zone contractors must obtain free zone authority approval for plant and equipment operations.