KIOSH 2024 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: EXPLORING OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, WITH A FOCUS ON OCCUPATIONAL AND INDUSTRIAL SAFETY
TODAY MARKS THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE 12TH KAZAKHSTAN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, KIOSH 2024. THIS TWO-DAY EVENT, TAKING PLACE ON MAY 30TH AND 31ST AT THE EXPO IEC, PROMISES INSIGHTFUL DISCUSSIONS AND VALUABLE NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES. FOR YEARS, THE KIOSH CONFERENCE HAS BEEN A CORNERSTONE IN FOSTERING PROFESSIONAL DIALOGUE, FACILITATING CRUCIAL CONNECTIONS, AND FORGING PARTNERSHIPS. ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM REGULATORY BODIES, TOP-NOTCH EXPERTS, AND PROFESSIONALS IN LABOR PROTECTION AND INDUSTRIAL SAFETY FROM VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, THIS CONFERENCE SERVES AS A VITAL PLATFORM FOR COLLABORATION AND INNOVATION.
The conference sessions are thoughtfully structured to address specific themes each day. On May 30th, the focus will be on exploring key issues in occupational health and safety. Then, on May 31st, experts will delve into discussions surrounding industrial safety concerns. This strategic division ensures a thorough examination of each topic, enabling participants to concentrate on the most pertinent issues and challenges within their respective fields.
The conference commenced with the “Assessment and Management of Occupational Hazards in the Contemporary Stage” Discussion Forum, where preeminent experts deliberated on the stratification of workplace environments, proactive health surveillance, social entitlements, and the integration of an enterprise digital mapping system. The session was chaired by Murat Muratbekov, Deputy Chair of the Committee on Labor and Social Protection within the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Lyazzat Akhmurzina, Executive Director of the KAZENERGY Association. Esteemed speakers included Almas Kurmanov, General Director of RNIIOT RSE REM, and Christl Aggus, President of the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE).
At the “Education, Science, Business: Synergy of Interaction” Round Table, experts emphasized the critical importance of training in occupational health and safety, as well as the establishment of vocational standards and qualifications. Representatives from leading companies shared practical case studies on the implementation of academy programs and occupational safety schools at their production facilities.
Concurrently with the conference, a briefing tour of the exhibition commenced for the delegation from the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan, led by Minister Svetlana Zhakupova. Manufacturers from Belgium, Kazakhstan, China, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Russia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and other nations showcased their products and demonstrated the latest Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) equipment. They highlighted innovations in personal protective equipment (PPE), measurement devices, protective gear for construction workers and industrial climbers, air purification systems, advanced digital platforms, and more. Given the contemporary challenges, special emphasis was placed on the KIOSH Software and IT Security section. Notably, KIOSH’s involvement facilitates the adoption of modern technologies and best practices, significantly enhancing working conditions and safety. For instance, the Electronic Work Orders and Permits system from sPoint has been successfully deployed at EmbaMunaiGas. Similarly, the Expert Center Well Compliance system from Delovye Informatsionnye Sistemy Company is utilized by Kazphosphate. Additionally, industrial safety systems and remote video monitoring of technological processes are actively employed by KTZ, KEGOC, and Bazis.
Following the introduction of cutting-edge innovations at the exhibition, the “Occupational Safety and Health Strategic Session: Change Management and Innovative Leadership” commenced. During this session, Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population of Kazakhstan, S. Zhakupova, highlighted the digital transformation of labor protection in Kazakhstan. In her opening remarks, the Minister underscored that KIOSH serves as a unique platform to showcase exemplary practices in the implementation of occupational safety management systems, accident and disease prevention, innovations in personal protective equipment, and the digital transformation of these processes. She elaborated on the Safe Labor Concept in Kazakhstan, a pivotal initiative developed under the directive of the Head of State, aimed at mitigating occupational risks, injuries, and diseases. “The Concept’s primary objective is to enhance the quality of working life and preserve labor resources. This document will significantly bolster the effectiveness of control and monitoring within the HSE sector” S. Zhakupova stated.
Speakers on the first day of the conference included Dmitry Karasev, Regional Coordinator for the Eurasian Region of the International Social Security Association (ISSA); Christl Aggus, President of the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE); Mikhail Ivankov, Head of the Federal Service for Labor and Employment under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation; Alan Stevens, Head of the IOSH Strategic Engagement Department (UK); Zhumabek Zhanykulov, Chairman of the Presidium of the PARYZ National Confederation of Employers, Alibek Kuantyrov, General Director of KAZENERGY Association and others.
At the conclusion of the plenary session, a foresight session was organized for the expert community. This session featured the participation of the First Vice-Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Akmadi Sarbassov, along with representatives from central government agencies of Kazakhstan. The discussions focused on state control in labor legislation, preventive measures at hazardous production facilities, and sanitary-epidemiological and environmental control.
During the second day of the KIOSH conference, scheduled for May 31st, participants will delve into industrial safety matters. The agenda includes two panel sessions. The first session will feature experts discussing industrial and fire safety concerns specific to Kazakhstan. In the second session, the focus will shift to the emerging ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) trend of digital industrial safety.
The KIOSH conference received official support from various esteemed entities, including the Committee of Industrial Safety within the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the State Institution for Occupational Safety Research of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Association of Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises (AGMP), the Union of Legal Entities - Kazakhstan Association of Oil and Gas and Energy Complex Organizations (KAZENERGY), Association of Personal Protective Equipment, as well as professional bodies such as IOSH, ORP, NEBOSH, Health and Safety Professionals Canada (the Canadian Association of Safety Engineers), the Federation of Trade Unions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Union of Builders of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Central Asia, the “QazTextileIndustry” National Association of Light Industry Enterprises - Union of Legal Entities and Individual Entrepreneurs, and the Safe Driving Association.
The project’s State Partner is the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Gold Partners are: Kazzinc LLP, Eurasian Group LLP, and Global Group of Companies.
Silver Partners: KTK-K and KazMinerals Group.
The event is organized by Iteca Kazakhstan Exhibition Company and its international partner - ICA Events Group.
For further details and the program schedule for the second day of the conference, please visit the event website: www.kiosh.kz.
