On Wednesday February 19, 2014, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) jointly organized a conference entitled “Construction Site Security: For a Modern Lebanese Legislation” in the presence of the University President, Rev. Fr. Hady Mahfouz, the President of the Lebanese Order for Engineers and Architects, Eng. Elie Bsaybes. Members of the Order Board, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Eng. Pascal Damien, the Dean of the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Dr. Paul Zgheib, the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Law, Fr. Dr. Talal Hachem, in addition to members of the University Council, professors and students were in attendance.

Following the Lebanese National Anthem, the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Law, Rev. Fr. Talal Hachem inaugurated the conference saying: “Nowadays, technical progress and intense competition are leading to fast changes of the working conditions, procedures and organization. However, safety and security at the workplace should not be sacrificed. Today, we will focus on safety and security of construction sites given the magnitude of building activities in Lebanon… The legislation plays a crucial role; however, it is not enough to confront the risks continuously facing workers in gigantic construction sites. This is why three faculties have joined efforts to organize this conference…”

Then, the President of the Lebanese Order for Engineers and Architects, Eng. Elie Bsaybes, took the floor and stated that “The concept of public safety was not known three years ago and the Order of Engineers and Architects looked into it and developed it.” He added: “Public safety is a culture and it results in responsibilities shared by engineers, workers, site owner and others. It is a general subject including many parties, starting with engineers. He concluded by saying that it is impossible to reach absolute public safety because it is linked to changes in technological development and subject to continuous research.

Finally, USEK President, Rev. Fr. Hady Mahfouz, brought the inauguration session to an end by stressing the necessity of “…paying attention to the safety and security of others in everything we do. This requires being aware of public safety and of the fact the development of the individual is completed by the development of others as well.” He added: “In Lebanon we need to develop this collective and social sense of taking care of the Other…One of the facets of this sense is construction site security…”
Then, Rev. Fr. Mahfouz presented a commemorative gift to Eng. Bsaybes.

The inauguration was followed by sessions entitled “Lebanese Legislation Pertaining to Construction Site Security: Current State and Prospects” and “Testimonials: Construction Sites and Incurred Losses”.