Municipality highlights safety risks in commercial establishments

Muscat: Muscat Municipality has stepped up efforts to raise awareness of workplace safety, warning that inadequate safety measures in commercial establishments can have serious consequences for both employees and customers.

The campaign comes in the wake of recent fires at commercial premises, including a major blaze that broke out at a commercial centre in South Mabela earlier this year, reinforcing the need for businesses to comply with approved safety requirements and maintain emergency preparedness.

According to the municipality, the absence of essential safety measures can allow fires to spread rapidly, making them more difficult to contain and increasing the risk of injuries and property damage. It also warned that poor safety compliance can lead to slips, trips and falls, particularly where required protective measures are not in place.

The municipality noted that the lack of first-aid equipment can worsen injuries sustained during workplace accidents, while insufficient emergency preparedness may delay response times when incidents occur, reducing the effectiveness of rescue and firefighting operations.

The awareness campaign forms part of Muscat Municipality's ongoing efforts to promote a stronger culture of safety across the commercial sector. The municipality urged business owners and operators to ensure their establishments are fully equipped with the necessary safety and emergency systems, comply with relevant regulations, and conduct regular inspections to minimise risks.

It stressed that investing in preventive safety measures not only protects lives but also helps safeguard businesses from avoidable losses and operational disruptions.