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 81 provinces around the 7 regions of Turkey, started in İzmir. Governor of İzmir Mr. Yavuz Selim KÖŞGER, Director General of Occupational Health and Safety mr. Cafer UZUNKAYA, Chairman of the Board of the Aegean Region Chamber of Industry Mr. Ender YORGANCILAR, President of İzmir Chamber of Commerce Mr. Mahmut ÖZGENER, representatives from the Directorate General of Occupational Health and Safety, mining enterprises operating in İzmir and the senior directors of NGOs participated in the meeting.
In his opening speech, Governor of İzmir Mr. Yavuz Selim KÖŞGER, who gave his speech at the end of the opening session, stated that it is the policy of developed countries to use the underground and aboveground reserves in the most efficient way. The MİSGEP project is extremely important for the development of occupational health and safety in the mining sector.” He expressed that they are a close follower and supporter of occupational health and safety practices in both public institutions and private sectors. KÖŞGER concluded his speech by wishing that the Project for the Improving of Occupational Health and Safety in Mining, which raises the awareness of occupational health and safety, will be beneficial for the mining sector and our country.
Director General of Occupational Health and Safety Mr. Cafer UZUNKAYA said that, “It is not a coincidence that the first of our consultation meeting with employers and NGOs, which we held within the scope of our Project on Improving Occupational Health and Safety in the Mining Sector, was held in Izmir.” He stated that the distance that İzmir will cover in occupational health and safety is of great importance for our country.
Cafer UZUNKAYA said, “When we look at the data between the years 2013-2019, fatal accidents rates per one hundred thousand have decreased by 41.3%. After the publication of the Law No. 6331 in particular for the province of Izmir and throughout the country, there has been a significant decrease in the rate of fatal work accidents. This accomplishment is not a coincidence. This means that the occupational health and safety professionals have started serving our workplaces much more. Occupational safety experts, occupational physicians, other healthcare personnel, are the biggest heroes of business life.”
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. The opinions of the participants were received after each topic during the meeting.
Resource: İSGGM