An event titled “A Sustainability Journey: From Diagnosis to Treatment, the Process of Building an EHS System at Gümüştaş Mining” was organized through the cooperation of Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Occupational Health and Safety and the Occupational Safety, Occupational Health and Environmental Health Application and Research Center (ÜSGÜMER). Mehmet Osmanoğlu, Safety, Environment and Health Manager at Gümüştaş Mining, attended the event as a guest speaker. Osmanoğlu shared his experiences regarding sustainability and safety culture in mining with students. In addition, within the scope of the event, Gümüştaş Mining donated training and practical equipment to the Üsküdar University Occupational Health and Safety Laboratory. Thanks to this support, it is aimed that students receive practice-based training in a laboratory environment closer to real field conditions.
The event was held at Üsküdar University Çarşı Campus Emirnebi 2 Conference Hall and was attended by Gümüştaş Mining Occupational Safety Specialist Mehmet Emre Ertürk, faculty members, and students.
Within this framework, students of the Department of Occupational Health and Safety met with sector representatives at an important event where up to date knowledge and experiences related to safety, environment, and health practices in the mining sector were shared.
“Culture does not form before three generations”
Emphasizing that culture is as decisive as safety and sustainability in mining, Osmanoğlu stated that this process is not a short-term transformation. Osmanoğlu said, “The concept of culture in our country is not something that can form before three generations. Think of it as our grandfather, our father, and us being able to talk about what we have all seen. The main issue here is transforming learned practices into operational truths.”
“Our main goal is for people to return home healthy”
Stating that people are at the center of occupational health, safety, and environmental policies, Osmanoğlu said, “At the core of what we do is ensuring that people return home healthy and at peace. According to the World Health Organization’s definition, we aim to send them home physically and mentally well. If this approach does not spread across every level of the organization, then we cannot talk about culture. In this context, we also question the traditional ‘Zero Accident’ mindset. We have slightly broken away from this motto. We started with injury statistics. The Bradley Curve tells us this: ‘Unless a job turns into a cultural movement, accidents cannot be prevented.’”
“Processes are not only a legal obligation but an institutional choice”
In his presentation, Osmanoğlu also referred to international standards such as EBRD, ISO, BEKRA SEVESO, LOPA, and HAZOP, emphasizing that these processes are not merely legal requirements but institutional choices. Osmanoğlu said, “In mining, you do not work only within the boundaries of the workplace. You work together with the region, society, and nature. This is exactly what we call responsible mining.”
“We are trying to build a mining culture in Türkiye”
Drawing attention to the sustainability of the process, Osmanoğlu stated, “Our work is not a production line that will stop or end. As long as people and organizations exist, this process will continue. Our diagnosis is clear, and we have defined the treatment. It is a long road, but we are trying to build a mining culture in Türkiye.”
Following this, students were informed about the establishment of Safety, Environment, and Health management systems in mining activities, risk assessment processes, sustainability approaches, regulatory compliance, field applications of management systems such as ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, and examples of good practices carried out within the framework of the zero-accident goal.
After the question-and-answer session, the event concluded with a certificate presentation.
A concrete contribution to university industry cooperation
Within the scope of the event, Gümüştaş Mining also provided a donation consisting of personal protective equipment and measurement devices to be used in training and practice at the Üsküdar University Çarşı Campus Occupational Health and Safety Laboratory.
Asst. Prof. Sertaç Temur and Research Assistant Ender Sezen played an active role in planning the process and strengthening university industry cooperation.
The donated equipment included earplugs, face shields, helmets, warning vests, and a Mastech Environment Meter MS6300 model five parameter environmental measurement device measuring noise, illumination, temperature, relative humidity, and air flow velocity.
Thanks to this support, it is aimed that students receive more practice-oriented education in laboratory settings that closely reflect real field conditions.