The 2nd Conference ‘Health and Safety at Work’ at the University of Gdańsk is now behind us.

II Konferencja BHP zbiorowe

Photo by B. Jętczak

For the second time, the University of Gdańsk hosted the ‘Safety and Health at Work’ conference. The theme of the event, which attracted a particularly large audience on Thursday, September 25, was the ‘Zero Accident Policy’ , i.e. striving to eliminate fatal accidents in the workplace, or at least reduce them to a minimum. Is this possible? ‘You have to dream,’ said the acting Regional Labour Inspector. ‘But then you have to fulfil those dreams with hard, organic work.’

The second edition of the ‘Safety and Health at Work’ conference, entitled ‘Zero Accident Policy’ and organised at the University of Gdańsk, attracted a great deal of interest, with over 400 participants registering to attend. In keeping with the theme of the event, it began with a presentation of safety rules by Tomasz Klawikowski, Head of the Occupational Safety and Health Office at the University of Gdańsk. The opening of the conference was attended by: Piotr Prokopowicz, acting Regional Labour Inspector in Gdańsk, and - on behalf of the Rector of the University of Gdańsk, prof. dr hab.Piotr Stepnowski – dr hab. Aneta Oniszczuk-Jastrząbek, prof. UG, Chancellor of the University of Gdańsk.

‘Occupational health and safety is not just a set of rules and obligations,’ read the Chancellor from the letter of the Rector of the University of Gdańsk. ‘It is an investment that brings measurable benefits to both employers and employees, and in the broader perspective, to society as a whole. As a scientific and socially responsible institution, the University of Gdańsk is once again taking up this challenge with the firm conviction that concern for human health and life is the foundation of all activity, both in science and in business management and the economy.’

The idea that health and safety is more than just regulations was repeatedly mentioned during the conference in speeches by various people, including the Pomeranian Vice-Voivode, Anna Olkowska-Jacyno. In the context of the main topic of the conference, i.e. the ‘Zero Accident Policy’, the need for cooperation at various levels was also recognised. According to the Chief Labour Inspector, whose letter was read by Piotr Prokopowicz, the concept of ‘vision zero’, i.e. striving for a situation where there are no accidents at work, ‘requires commitment at all levels, from the highest, i.e. management, through engineers and safety specialists, to managers and employees. Everything starts with a good, transparent discussion. That is why the involvement of the legislative authority is also desirable.’ On the one hand, attention was drawn to the need to introduce good systemic solutions (many regulations are still ambiguous, and there is no uniform system for collecting data on accidents at work for all organisations), and on the other hand, the importance of people's involvement was emphasised.

Referring to the concept of ‘zero accidents at work’, pioneered by the Pomeranian Province, Piotr Prokopowicz admitted: ‘At first, probably like some of us here, when I heard the slogan “zero accidents at work”, I thought to myself: a dream, maybe even a pipe dream. However, after several years of experience in this industry, I think that dreams are a good thing. You have to dream. But then you have to fulfil those dreams with hard, organic work,’ he emphasised. Acting Regional Labour Inspector.

Theme and format of the conference
Konferencja BHP - widok sceny z panelistami, w tle plansza z logotypami partnerów i sponsorów

Photo by B. Jetczak

The issue of accidents at work was discussed in terms of three aspects, corresponding to the conference modules: statistics and procedures, prevention and good practices, and the effects and consequences of accidents. The topics discussed included the causes of accidents (including the role of the human factor), criminal liability in the case of serious and fatal accidents, and issues related to insurance and compensation. Accident prevention programmes and tools were also discussed, with representatives of Energa Grupa Orlen and the Gdańsk Refinery, among others, taking the floor. Tomasz Klawikowski spoke about good practices at the University of Gdańsk, including the Safe University of Gdańsk initiative.

The conference also included a panel discussion with representatives of CIOP-PIP, GUS, OIP, the Public Prosecutor's Office, UDT, WOMP, ZUS and external companies. In this part of the event, experts answered questions from conference participants. The focus was primarily on practical issues, such as the problem of ensuring safety and enforcing certain activities from persons employed on a basis other than an employment contract, e.g. preventive medical examinations of persons employed on a B2B contract. Attention was also drawn to the ambiguity of certain concepts and regulations, and examples of solutions to help ensure greater safety at work and prevent accidents were discussed.

Each part of the conference ended with a health and safety knowledge quiz (with prizes), and the presentations and panels were accompanied by a workplace accident counter located on the stage, which was a symbolic illustration of the importance of the issue under discussion.

Impressions

Piotr Prokopowicz, acting Regional Labour Inspector in Gdańsk, and Paweł Grabowski, Deputy Regional Labour Inspector for Supervision, emphasised the high substantive level of the conference. ‘This is a very thematically focused conference, dedicated to people who professionally deal with safety at work,’ noted Mr Prokopowicz. ‘The level of the lectures is also high, tailored to the participants. In my opinion, these are not lectures for the average audience who are not involved in this issue, even as a hobby.’

The inspectors also referred to the award (1st place) for the University of Gdańsk as an organiser of safe work. As Mr Prokopowicz recalled, Tomasz Klawikowski's team had been preparing for the competition for four years - this work was evident in the application for the award.

The breadth and versatility of safety activities at the University of Gdańsk is really impressive,’ added Paweł Grabowski. "People from outside are not aware of how many issues need to be taken care of here to ensure that it is truly safe. You are doing a great job here. However, people are always behind success," emphasised the inspector, praising both the commitment of Tomasz Klawikowski, Head of the Occupational Health and Safety Office at the University of Gdańsk, and the support of the University authorities.

The impressive turnout at the conference on accidents at work seems to confirm that issues related to ensuring safety at work are still relevant and necessary.

‘Accidents happen,’ said Paweł Grabowski. ‘We usually see them from the negative side, when someone suffers. And it is not only the victim who suffers, but also their employer.

The Chief Labour Inspector was the honorary patron of the conference.

The event was supported by:

The partners of the event were:

  • Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute
  • Statistical Office in Gdańsk
  • District Prosecutor's Office in Gdańsk
  • Provincial Centre for Occupational Medicine
  • Technical Inspection Authority
  • Social Insurance Institution
  • Association of Fire Engineers and Technicians
  • National Association of Occupational Health and Safety Employees
  • STBU Insurance Brokers Ltd.
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Karolina Żuk-Wieczorkiewicz/CPC; photo by M. Byczkowski