Fixed timings set for construction work to reduce disturbance

The Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning has fixed the timing for construction, demolition and maintenance works in residential and commercial areas to minimise disturbance to the public.

The schedule is included in the guide issued by the Ministry recently on "special requirements for work sites to curb damages resulting from maintenance, construction and demolition".

The guide was released on the World Day for Safety and Health at Work observed on April 28.

The new guidelines have been issued in line with the existing laws and regulations and in consultation with contracting companies, said the document.

In residential and mixed areas (that house both residential and commercial facilities) timing for construction works is fixed from 6.30am to 6pm from Sunday to Thursday.

The work hours on Saturday is from 8am to noon and from 2pm to 6pm. No work is allowed on Fridays and the Eid holidays, unless in exceptional cases.

In commercial areas, work can be carried out round-the-clock from Saturday through Thursday. The timing for Friday is from 10.30am to 1pm and no work is permitted on the first day of Eid.

Besides the regular working hours, there are "quiet hours" when the work can be continued without any noise or disturbance. This is from 2pm to 3.30 pm in all work sites from Sunday to Thursday and from 10.30am to 2pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

For work sites located near the school, the "quiet hours" are from 7am to 1pm and during the prayers for sites close to the mosques. [Read more on The Peninsula]