How Prepared Is Industry for Earthquakes, Other Natural Disasters and Major Industrial Accident Risks?

The 4th Process Safety Symposium and Exhibition, to be organized under the coordination of Kocaeli Chamber of Industry and by Chem Media-Artkim Group with the theme "How Prepared is Industry for Earthquakes, Other Natural Disasters and Major Industrial Accident Risks?" will be held between 12-13 September 2023 at Kocaeli Congress Center. Despite its strategic location at the center of three continents and extremely ideal characteristics in terms of industrial production and logistics networks, Turkey faces significant risks due to its location on the earthquake belt. Protecting industrial facilities and the entire production chain from the destructive effects of earthquakes becomes critically important in this context. While the pain of the 1999 Gölcük earthquake remains fresh despite the years that have passed, the severe earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş this year and affecting a very large geography have increased concerns about the expected earthquake to affect Istanbul and its surroundings. From the 17 August 1999 Marmara Earthquake, not only large factories but also SMEs that form the backbone of the country and region were affected. It is known that numerous businesses suffered damage in the earthquake that struck the heart of Turkish industry and caused billions of dollars in losses. In approximately the same region, the potential earthquake expected to occur in the Marmara Sea this time, referred to as the "Anticipated Major Istanbul Earthquake," will clearly have enormous impacts on industry and the economy, considering that the region hosts Turkey's largest industrial establishments. In addition to the earthquake, the risks that could be created by other natural disasters such as fire, flooding and storms that could threaten industry and process safety must not be overlooked. It would be prudent to evaluate in advance the extreme weather conditions that may be seen in our country due to the global warming factor and their potential impacts. 4th Process Safety Symposium and Exhibition on 12-13 September At the 4th Process Safety Symposium and Exhibition to be held between 12-13 September 2023 at Kocaeli Congress Center with the theme "How Prepared is Industry for Earthquakes, Other Natural Disasters and Major Industrial Accident Risks?", all factors regarding how industry and the supply chain can be protected from the effects of earthquakes and other disasters will be addressed. In particular, the experiences of sector professionals who experienced the 1999 Marmara Earthquake and faced the destructive effects of this disaster firsthand are expected to provide guidance regarding risks and solutions in the field of process safety. This important event, which will contribute to the development of industrial safety through presentations and conferences by expert speakers, will serve as a meeting point for sector professionals. "Rational Solutions and Precautions in Light of Science are the Key to a Safe Future" Hasan Şerefhan, Chairman of the Executive Board of the 4th Process Safety Symposium, made statements about the importance of the event to be organized. Mr. Hasan Şerefhan stated: "With the 4th Process Safety Symposium and Exhibition, coordinated by Kocaeli Chamber of Industry and organized by Chem Media-Artkim Group, we aim to contribute to safer industrial production in our country this year as well. The main theme of this important event to be held at Kocaeli Congress Center between 12-13 September 2023 will be how prepared industry is for earthquakes and other natural disasters. Rational solutions and precautions taken in light of science are the key to a safe future." Presentations Will Make Significant Contributions to the Sector's Knowledge Base Şerefhan, stating "We believe that the presentations to be made by the highly expert speakers who will take part in the conference program topics will make very significant contributions to the knowledge base in the sector," added: "In addition to the conference, our visitors will be able to gain important experience from the activities to be held in the workshop area. Many companies present in the exhibition area will introduce their latest products and technologies and share with visitors the solutions they have developed for safe production." 19 Expert Speakers Will Share Their Views and Comments with Audiences Within the framework of the 4th Process Safety Symposium program, a total of 19 expert speakers will share their views and comments with audiences across two sessions and two panels. The symposium program includes not only leading executives from industry and public administration, but also special speakers from different disciplines. Yoshinori Moriwaki, General Secretary of the Association of Overseas Japanese Construction Companies in Turkey, and Nasuh Mahruki, Chairman of AKUT Foundation, Among Expert Figures on Earthquakes, Will Make Presentations Prof. Dr. Şerif Barış, Faculty Member at Kocaeli University and Earthquake Expert, and Prof. Dr. Türker Özkan, Board Member of TİSK Microsurgery Foundation, will inform symposium audiences from an academic perspective. Yoshinori Moriwaki, General Manager of Hazama Ando Corporation Turkey Office, Member of Turkey National Risk Shield Model Working Groups, General Secretary of the Association of Overseas Japanese Construction Companies in Turkey, will address differences between Japan and Turkey in disaster prevention. Nasuh Mahruki, Chairman of AKUT Foundation and one of the most authoritative figures in Turkey on earthquakes, will share his thoughts on how Turkey can prepare for earthquakes. The 4th Process Safety Symposium and Exhibition is supported by the Turkish Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and the Turkish Ministry of Industry and Technology, as well as 30 industrial organizations and 18 civil society and media organizations. At the Process Safety Symposium and Exhibition, the third edition of which was held last year, process safety was addressed in all its aspects across 5 sessions and 26 presentations. The event, where detailed information was provided on relevant regulations, applications, technical knowledge, R&D, products and services, welcomed over 2,000 visitors in two days. This year, approximately 50 companies participating in the exhibition area within the scope of the event will present their latest products, services and technologies. In this context, symposium visitors will have the opportunity to reach optimal solutions in the field of process safety through discussions with company representatives. In the workshop area, leading names from the sector will present highly important information interactively to visitors through their presentations. Visitors who wish to learn all the latest developments and technologies on process safety from sector professionals, and to experience the exhibition and workshop areas firsthand, can complete their free online registration through the link on the www.prosesemniyeti.org website. You can access the symposium's Day 1 and Day 2 programs from the links.