Qatar is spending almost US$500mn a week on major infrastructure projects as it prepares to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, according to recent reports. With the growth in construction activity comes an increasing focus on raising health and safety standards and improving worker welfare
This is exemplified by the launch in May 2016 of QCS 2014, the new version of Qatar Construction Specifications, which impose a number of new health and safety requirements on contractors. What are the practical implications for industry of the new specifications, and what does this mean for projects that commenced before the introduction of QCS 2014? How aware are project developers regarding the new specifications concerning the conditions and criteria of safety management systems, the prevention of accidents, and the assurance of optimal application at all work sites for ASHGHAL (Public Works Authority) projects?
These and other critical questions and concerns will be addressed at the Qatar HSE & Fire Safety Conference, to take place from 17-18 May at the Marriott Marquis, City Center, Doha, where speakers include Ehab Saleh, senior safety engineer, Quality & Safety Department, and Eng Yasser Berzan, safety specialist, Quality & Safety Department, ASHGHAL.
Enjoying the support of Qatar’s Ministry of Interior, the Qatar HSE & Fire Safety Conference will provide a timely forum for knowledge sharing on topics ranging from fire testing and certification to construction site safety, emergency response, evacuation strategies and safety leadership.
The event will include a keynote presentation from the Qatar Ministry of Labor on Qatar law and current safety practices, and a mock evacuation drill supported by Qatar Civil Defence. While on the workplace safety angle, a mock criminal investigation in partnership with Clyde & Co, will illustrate the legal process following a fatality in the workplace.
The list of eminent speakers includes João Canas, fire prevention engineer, Parsons - Lusail City Development-Phase II, a huge sustainable smart city; Samir Hasan, HSE manager, QAFCO; Alan Crawford, HSE Specialist, Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, 2022; Waleed Ghanem, head of Health & Safety, Arab Engineering Bureau; and Ali Nadeem Alinadeem, head HSE, Qatar National Cement Company.
Tania Jadhav, conference producer, says, “At a time of rapid change in the health and safety landscape, the Qatar HSE & Fire Safety Conference will provide the ideal opportunity to gain an update on developments and the implications for your business.”
For further information see the website at www.hse-forum.com/qatar. A 15 per cent discount on the attendance fee can be obtained by quoting discount code MPHSEHSSRME.
