RIYADH: The Civil Defense has halted eight ongoing projects for constructing towers in the capital due to lack of safety precautions by the contractors.

Civil Defense spokesman Major Mohammed Al-Hammadi said the building inspectors noticed negligence in excavation work, scaffolding, ladders and absence of protective equipment among workers.

The inspectors visited 63 sites, of which 19 were found to be not adhering to the safety rules and appropriate action was taken against them, he said.

The irregularities at the eight blacklisted construction sites include lack of safety features, slipshod construction of scaffolding, water leakage and live electrical wires at the sites.

Al-Hammadi said that these inspections are conducted in the interest of builders and safety of workers. “Employers are supposed to provide workers with proper protective gear and clothing.”