Etihad Rail-the developer and operator of the UAE's national railway network-has surpassed more than 10mn working man-hours, or over 250 days, with zero lost-time injuries.
The Etihad Rail project is managed by a joint venture between Parsons and Aecom.
Eng. Faris Saif Al Mazrouei, Acting CEO of Etihad Rail, said: "At Etihad Rail, we believe that all accidents, injuries and work-related illnesses are preventable, with safety being a value and mind-set shared by all.
"From senior management through to the frontline, each of our employees and contractors is trained and empowered to eliminate unsafe conditions and implement the necessary corrective actions to make an area or situation safe.
"This has resulted in a common set of principles and behaviours that ensures working safely is part of our daily business. This 10 million-hours figure is a significant milestone for us, particularly considering the challenging desert conditions of the Western Region."
He added: "This achievement, which includes time dedicated to the testing and commissioning of trains since September of last year, reflects that the high safety standards of the rail industry have carried over into Etihad Rail's activities prior to the launch of commercial operations."
Upon completion, the Etihad Rail network, which will cater to both freight and passengers, will span approximately 1,200 kilometres across the UAE.
It will connect urban and peripheral communities, facilitate trade, open up communication channels and foster economic development across all the emirates in the UAE.
The network will also form a vital part of the GCC railway network, linking the UAE to Saudi Arabia via Ghweifat in the west and Oman via Al Ain in the east.