Conference “Work safety in the world of modern technologies”
At the Silesian University of Technology, a conference was held dedicated to one of the key challenges of the modern labour market – safety in the environment of dynamically developing technologies. The event brought together experts, scientists, and representatives of the National Labour Inspectorate, becoming a space for exchanging experiences and building further cooperation.
The conference “Work safety in the world of modern technologies” was held on March 18, 2026, at the Education and Congress Centre of the Silesian University of Technology. The Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Marek Pawełczyk was present at the conference.
- At the University we have scientists who deal with occupational safety, fields of study in this field and appropriate infrastructure. We are prepared to do this in order to make us aware from the very beginning that modern technologies are not only development, but also new threats – said the Rector.
- We would like inspectors to feel free to report their needs, and we will try to respond to them – whether by incorporating these issues into our education or by preparing dedicated courses, training, and postgraduate studies. We also want to be involved in the development of standards and modern solutions in the field of occupational safety - emphasized Prof. Marek Pawełczyk.
The Rector emphasized that the region in which our University operates is highly industrialized, so cooperation with the services responsible for occupational safety is crucial to ensuring safety and effective response to threats.
- This is a region of modern automation, Industry 4.0, and robots, which – although they do excellent work – are also associated with specific threats. The same goes for the chemical industry, which generates specific risks - he noted.
Piotr Kalbron, Regional Labour Inspector in Katowice, stressed the importance of cooperation between science and practice.
- Silesian University of Technology is a modern university, which fits perfectly into the subject of today's conference. Thanks to this cooperation, we create a platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience between the state institution and the scientific community. This allows us to stay up to date with both the results of scientific research and practical experiences in the field of occupational safety – said Piotr Kalbron.
As he stressed, cooperation is of particular importance in the context of the industrialized region.
- The Silesian Voivodeship is very industrialized, and more and more modern technologies are used in workplaces. Therefore, as a Labour Inspectorate, we must be prepared for changes in the labour market. Thanks to such conferences, inspectors gain not only practical competences, but also scientific knowledge, which translates into more effective actions in everyday work – he noted.
The Dean of the Faculty of Materials Engineering and Industrial Digitalization, Prof. Krzysztof Nowacki, drew attention to the role of the University and the Faculty in cooperation with the National Labour Inspectorate.
- The Faculty of Materials Engineering has experience and specialists who can support inspectors both in expert opinions, consultations, and analysis of documents - said Prof. Nowacki.
The Dean noted that the cooperation is mutual and brings benefits to students and practitioners.
- We also use the experience of inspectors in didactics and during meetings with students. Win-win cooperation gives everyone real benefits – students gain practical knowledge, and inspectors have access to the results of scientific research and academic experience – emphasized the Dean.
For the Faculty of Mining, Safety Engineering and Industrial Automation, cooperation with institutions such as the National Labour Inspectorate is a natural element of everyday scientific and didactic activity. – We combine knowledge in the field of OHS, occupational protection and public safety, which is why this cooperation includes joint initiatives, conferences, and the development of expert opinions. It is also a real value for students who can benefit from the experience of practitioners, and for us an impulse to develop research facilities and respond to dynamically changing market challenges – says the Dean of the Faculty, Dr Hab. Eng. Krzysztof Filipowicz, Prof. SUT.
The educational role of the cooperation is also emphasized by Prof. Barbara Klemczak, Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering: - Civil Engineering is an area where occupational safety is crucial, and at the same time it is associated with a high risk of accidents. That is why we consistently shape students’ awareness, paying attention to the real threats present at construction sites. Cooperation with the National Labour Inspectorate through lectures, meetings and joint initiatives allows to effectively combine theoretical knowledge with practice and strengthens the safety culture of future engineers – says Prof. Klemczak.
As pointed out by Superintendent Jacek Czech from the Regional Labour Inspectorate in Katowice, the cooperation of universities with institutions such as PIP (National Work Inspectorate) is today the foundation for the development of security in the energy sector.
- In the face of new challenges we face – such as the risks associated with the production and use of hydrogen and the explosive risks associated with new biofuels used in the energy sector – it is particularly important to combine scientific knowledge with practice. Thanks to this, it is possible to develop solutions that can then be effectively implemented. All the more so because in many of these areas clear legal regulations are still lacking. Research and expert knowledge of the University can support the creation of standards and their practical application in control and post-accident activities – explains the superintendent.
The conference “Work safety in the world of modern technologies” was also attended by representatives of companies and other services responsible for occupational safety.
