Within the scope of Improving Occupational Health and Safety Especially in Mining Sector Project (MISGEP), implemented by the Directorate General of Occupational Health and Safety (DGOHS) and financed by the European Union and the Republic of Turkey, “MISGEP Mining Sector Consultation Meetings”, which cover 25 provinces around the 7 regions of Turkey, continued in Balıkesir to improve occupational health and safety conditions in mining workplaces and to raise awareness on the subject. The meeting was attended by the Deputy Director General of Occupational Health and Safety (DGOHS) Mr. Sedat YENİDÜNYA, Provincial Director of Labour and Employment Agency of Balıkesir Mr. Nazım BALCI, Provincial Director of Social Security Institution Mr. Sıddık POLAT, President of the Balıkesir Union of Chambers of Tradesmen and Craftsmen Mr. Fehmi ERDEM, the representatives from public institutions, mine enterprises operating in the Balıkesir region, and joint occupational health and safety units.
Deputy Director General of DGOHS Mr. Sedat YENİDÜNYA stated in their opening speech that, MISGEP has a budget of 17.6 million euros and continued by adding that the project consists of 3 main components. He stated that 6 million euros from the budget was reserved for the grant component, and that in a period of 12 to 18 months, 36 grant beneficiaries took advantage of it. He also pointed out that the fees for occupational safety experts, occupational physicians and rescue trainings for 80 mines that cover a period of 24 months have been paid.
Mr. YENİDÜNYA added that, according to the official statistics published by the Social Security Institution (SGK), between the years of 2013 and 2019, number of workplaces in Balıkesir saw an increase rate of 16.3% and that this percentage rate is in parallel standings when compared to the average rate of Turkey. He also pointed out that, during these years, number of employees who work in Balıkesir showed an increase of 65.6% which is a much higher rate than that of the average for Turkey.
He stated that support and incentives given to workplaces by the Directorate General of Labour and Social Security regarding the provision of Occupational Health and Safety Services still continue and that the OHS Services given in the first 5 months of 2021 added up to 988 million TRY, out of which 37 million belongs to workplaces in Balıkesir.
He stated that necessary actions were being taken as the Directorate General to popularize education regarding Occupational Health and Safety, to form a safety culture, and to create awareness to prevent occupational diseases by working hand in hand with the Ministry of National Education and universities.
In the consultation session of the meeting, MISGEP Team Leader Mr. Gökhan GÜLER and Asst. Prof. Dr. Hacer KAYHAN informed the participants on topics such as occupational health and safety practices in mining industry by reviewing examples from the world, legal obligations regarding mining and administrative fines, compensation after occupational accidents, the impact of unionisation on occupational health and safety, pneumoconiosis which is the most common occupational disease in the industry, and the costs and benefits of preventing occupational accidents. During the meeting, opinions and contributions were received from the participants after each subject.