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, continue in Karaman after Antalya to improve occupational health and safety conditions in mining workplaces and to raise awareness on the subject. Governor of Karaman Mr. Mehmet Alpaslan IŞIK, Director General of Occupational Health and Safety Mr. Cafer UZUNKAYA and the representatives of other public institutions, mining enterprises operating in Karaman and senior directors of NGOs participated in the meeting held on 12 July.
In his speech in the opening session, Governor of Karaman Mr. Mehmet Alpaslan IŞIK stated, “Karaman has a very important place in terms of mining. Therefore, I believe that the activities of MISGEP will contribute greatly to the city. I wish success to the Director General of Occupational Health and Safety, his colleagues and all parties involved in the implementation of the project.”
Director General of Occupational Health and Safety Mr. Cafer UZUNKAYA, emphasized the importance of human life in his opening speech and stated that there is no doubt that occupational health and safety is one of the top priority issues to be considered. Mr. UZUNKAYA stated, “Being successful in occupational health and safety is only possible by making the occupational health and safety culture and climate prevail in this society. In order for this climate to prevail, the senior directors of the institutions need to adopt occupational health and safety. Occupational health and safety protects the state and the nation, and allows the nation to advance further and reach its goals.”
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 the 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.
“MISGEP Mining Sector Consultation Meetings”, which are held between June-September 2021, within the scope of the “Technical Assistance Component” of MISGEP, will continue in Adana on 13 July.
