Friday, Jun 22, 2012
Abu Dhabi Cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating arrangements must ensure that these are at least 30 metres away from residential areas, and do not border places of worship, schools, hospitals and ATMs that could be disturbed by resultant noise, the Abu Dhabi Municipality has said.
Establishments must also make sure that these external seating arrangements do not obstruct the flow of traffic, and comply with the Outdoor Sitting Areas Manual.
These were some of the safety and hygiene concerns recently checked by the municipality, which issued 113 tickers for health and safety violations among the capital’s salons, beauty parlours, laundries and outdoor seating areas adjoining restaurants.
The municipality said it was running an evening inspection campaign on these establishments to verify their compliance with the applicable health, hygiene and safety standards. 74 warnings have also been issued as part of the recent checks.
Men’s hair-cutting salons were inspected for their use of sterilisation equipment, and to check that all workers were dressed in white during working hours. Samples were also drawn from cosmetic products used at both salons and women’s beauty parlours to ensure that they were safe.
Hussain, who has been working at a salon in the capital for nearly 24 years, told Gulf News that his store now sees more frequent checks by municipality inspectors.
“Earlier we used just one sterilising machine. Now we have one for each hair-cutting station. Our towels are also kept clean and warm, as per the municipality’s requirements,” he said, explaining the changes he had recently brought about in the Mushrif area salon.
While implementing the changes has been costly, Hussain said a more regular clientele now visits the facility.
Laundries, on the other hand, must avoid leaving clothes on the floor or washing them in sinks, the municipality statement stressed. Khalifa Al Rumaithi, director of public health at the municipality, said these practices are considered to be a “flagrant breach of regulations and health conditions for laundries”.
Earlier this year, Al Rumaithi also told Gulf News that laundries had been given till October 2012 to ensure proper lighting in washing areas. In addition, they must comply with new size requirements that stipulate 30 square metres for a laundry with either washing or ironing services, and 40 square metres for a store with both washing and ironing facilities.
The municipal official called upon store owners to adhere to the applicable health and safety standards, especially in order to protect the community from the spread of communicable diseases.
By Samihah Zaman Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2012. All rights reserved.
