Hosted by Near East University the Occupational Health and Safety Symposium was realised at Hall 2 of İrfan Günsel Congress Centre with a high participation.

According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, high interest was shown to the Occupational Health and Safety Symposium to which Minister of Labour and Social Security Zeki Çeler, Undersecretary of the Ministry Evrim Hınçal, Vice Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, Head of Institute of Occupational Health and Safety Aziz Gürpınar attended.

It was stated that Head of Institute of Occupational Health and Safety Aziz Gürpınar, Vice Rector od Near East University Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ and Minister of Labour and Social Security Zeki Çeler each made a speech at the start of the event.

It is necessary to convert safety culture to a lifestyle…
Making the opening speech of the Symposium, Head of Institute of Occupational Health and Safety Aziz Gürpınar expressed that a significant issue related to work life is to be discussed at the symposium and that there was a strong need to establish cooperation on this matter including related institutions and the Ministry.

He added that in order to make reasonable progress, there was a need to convert the safety culture into a lifestyle; requiring long-term effort and that within this effort, only the ministry's work is not sufficient. In this regard, there are also important tasks expected from universities, employers, the organizations representing the employees and the press. He likened the issue to building a wall by placing bricks one by one like brick workers. Therefore, he emphasised that work accidents will be minimised in the country by fulfilling the responsibility falling on everyone in every field, working hard with stubbornness and weariness.

Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ: “For 40 years, whenever anyone uttered Near East University, it brought education, science and innovation to mind…”
In his speech, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ stated that universities are the centre of science creation and are a means of access to this science for the society. Moreover, he stated that universities are the institutions that integrate different elements such as science and education which are based on philosophy of idealism.

Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ stated that, with the 4th generation university model that they had adopted, they offered academic studies, research and all scientific outputs for the benefit of society. He added that for 40 years, whenever anyone uttered Near East University, it brought education, science and innovation to mind. Since the date of foundation, Near East University is constantly progressing on the path to be centre of global information and aims to be among the first best 500 universities in the world. Also, he said that Near East University is continuously progressing with its 20 faculties, 6 institutes, 33 research and application centres, 104 research and application laboratories, Grand Library, Super Computer, numerous scientific publications, research projects, almost 1200 international publications, 1 Nobel Science Award, 2 TUBITAK science awards, 5 Turkish scientists guiding science.

Zeki Çeler: Measures need to be taken not only in constructions but also in any place where work is done…
In his speech, Minister of Labour and Social Security Zeki Çeler emphasizes that to attain Occupational Health and Safety, measures should be taken wherever life is concerned; not only in construction but also in all workplaces. Moreover, he said that they were trying to do everything right back from the beginning since this has not become a part of culture or become a part of political culture. However, he said that they felt full responsibility on the matter. He made evaluations stating that the unsuccess in this matter was probably because they had not done everything needed to be done and that there was a strong need for the value given to human life to be positioned to a well-deserved position. He assured that from the first day of beginning their duty, they tried to do all the necessary works, from inspection to construction, to penalty, to stop, to shut down, and to the arrest of the contractor by law. Moreover, he stated that there were laws that places authority on the ministry, however if those who implement and regulate the laws do not comply, then these laws did not have any meaning.

In addition to the above, Minister of Labour and Social Security Çeler expressed that there would be talks on occupational health physicians. He also stressed that all documentation such as reports and feasibility studies, which were sent from constructions and workplaces were “copy-paste” style and that this had become source of ‘benefit’ for some. He underlined the importance of taking all steps in occupational health and safety, emphasizing that those who do not comply with the rules should face the consequences.