Honeywell Says "We Are on the Road for Occupational Safety"

Global technology company Honeywell (NYSE: HON) plans to provide training to 45,000 workers engaged in high-risk jobs across Turkey under its new project "On the Road for Workplace Safety." The company aims to increase workplace safety awareness in high-risk work environments and provide training to workers employed in these facilities in order to contribute to reducing workplace accidents. Honeywell will implement this project in partnership with Numeko Akademi, which provides occupational health and safety training. Through the "On the Road for Workplace Safety" project, the company plans to provide general workplace safety training particularly to workers engaged in high-altitude and confined-space work, and will conduct training on how to use equipment to prevent potential workplace accidents. The training content includes topics such as heights safety, confined-space work, personal protective equipment inspection, gas detection, general personal safety, and introduction of required equipment. Honeywell Turkey and Central Asia President Frans van Deursen stated, "Our primary objective is to help occupational safety managers create a lasting safety culture that minimizes injuries and provides a safer and more efficient work environment. According to official statistics, 5 workers lose their lives due to workplace accidents every day in Turkey. While every life is valuable, this is a shocking figure. We want to ensure that workers receive consistent training on best practices and understand the consequences of neglecting safety procedures. Through the 'On the Road for Workplace Safety' project, we aim to reach as many occupational health and safety managers, specialists and workers as possible and increase awareness on this issue," he said.

Workplace Accident Rates in Turkey Are Very High

The number of deaths due to workplace accidents remains at very high levels despite regulations and preventive measures. According to data from Eurostat, the official statistical institution of the EU, and Turkey's Social Security Institution (SGK), Turkey ranks first among countries with the highest number of deaths from workplace accidents. Turkey will be the first country in the region where this project will be implemented. The project aims to make Honeywell Turkey a reference for the entire MERTA region (Middle East, Russia, Turkey and Africa) and to inspire similar future projects. Following Turkey, Honeywell plans to expand the project to Africa and the Middle East.

Target to Train 45,000 Workers in 5 Years

The project aims to reach 2,000 workers by the end of 2019 and 45,000 workers over the next five years. In the first phase of the project, Honeywell will host many companies from different sectors such as industrial manufacturing, field services, oil and gas through a training center it established in Tuzla. Workplace safety training will be provided by certified trainers at this center. In the second phase of the project, Honeywell will visit steel mills, mines, ports and shipyards across Turkey using a mobile "Demo Van" training vehicle equipped with the latest safety equipment.