GEBKİM Holds Seminar on Earthquake Safety in Industrial Facilities

GEBKİM Hosts Earthquake Seminar for Industrial Facilities GEBKİM, Turkey's first Chemistry Specialised Organized Industrial Zone, continues to add value to the sector. GEBKİM, an exemplary OIZ with its technology, infrastructure, educational facilities and social services for employees, as well as its sensitive approach to social events, held a seminar on "Earthquakes in Industrial Facilities." Measures to be taken in industrial facilities against earthquakes, which cause destructive effects both in human and economic terms, were discussed with experts in the field. GEBKİM OIZ Board Chairman Vefa İbrahim Aracı, who delivered the opening remarks of the seminar, stressed that OIZs are of vital importance in assisting the public during disasters such as earthquakes, given their infrastructure and resources. GEBKİM OIZ continues its efforts to heal the wounds of the region following the earthquake disaster on 6 February that affected 11 provinces, while also taking steps to learn to live with earthquake reality. While the most painful aspect of destructive earthquakes is loss of life, they also cause serious economic damage. Based on this reality, GEBKİM OIZ Management held the "Earthquakes in Industrial Facilities" seminar to examine the earthquake reality from the industrial perspective. The seminar, which featured highly respected expert speakers, addressed Turkey's earthquake reality and the steps industrialists must take. The Earthquakes in Industrial Facilities Seminar began with a moment of silence and the National Anthem in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the major earthquake disaster. Opening remarks were delivered by GEBKİM OIZ Board Chairman Vefa İbrahim Aracı. Following Aracı's remarks, GEBKİM OIZ Environmental Engineer–Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Cem Kılınç made a presentation on the Emergency Response Software implemented by GEBKİM OIZ. The qualified speakers of the seminar were respectively: Prof. Dr. Şerif Barış, Faculty Member of the Geophysics Engineering Department at Kocaeli University and Member of AKOM (Disaster Coordination Centre); Prof. Dr. Mücahit Opan, Head of the Civil Engineering Department at Kocaeli University; Dr. Ceyhun Eren, Earthquake Engineer and Director of Technical and Risk Engineering at Allianz Türkiye; and Eray Acan, Geological Engineer and Support Design & Seismic Suspension Specialist at Darhan Yapı ve Endüstri San. Tic. A.Ş. GEBKİM OIZ Board Chairman Vefa İbrahim Aracı, stating that the earthquake disaster must not be forgotten and very important lessons must be learned from this great catastrophe, said: "The earthquake disaster that occurred on 6 February, affecting 11 provinces, caused great destruction and the loss of over 50,000 lives. The buildings and cities destroyed in earthquakes, the suffering experienced and the lives lost have plunged us all into deep sorrow. Right now, our hearts are all in the region. However, the suffering experienced must not be forgotten and lessons must be drawn to prevent such suffering from recurring. Our country has previously experienced earthquakes that caused major destruction. And unfortunately, sufficient lessons were not learned. Among all living beings, humans are the weakest. What keeps humans standing is science and knowledge that we have created through our minds. When we turn our backs to science and what science tells us, we experience such devastating destruction. In construction, we must always heed what science tells us. The impacts of the earthquake on our country's economy and industry also emerge as a subject we must address. It is not enough for buildings to be structurally earthquake-resistant, and a holistic approach requires taking precautions against non-structural risks as well. Non-structural risks cause industrial facilities to remain closed for long periods and unable to produce. We saw how road closures in earthquakes made it difficult for aid and search and rescue teams to reach earthquake zones. Transportation, energy lines and infrastructure must also be prepared for earthquakes. The operation of industry and the economy plays a vital role in the recovery of earthquake zones," he said. Vefa İbrahim Aracı, noting that GEBKİM OIZ, with the support of participating companies, delivered aid to the earthquake zone from the first hours, continued: "In addition to urgent needs such as food, water, clothing, medical supplies, hygiene and cleaning products, tents, containers and blankets, we dispatched heavy machinery to the zone for use in search and rescue operations. Our GEBKİM Fire Brigade, with fully equipped equipment, went from Kocaeli to the earthquake zone and participated in search and rescue operations. Like all of Turkey, we found some solace with each life rescued from the rubble. Our team was found worthy of the Presidential Medal and Badge of Outstanding Dedication for their dedicated work. I thank them all once again on this occasion. We contributed to the comfortable accommodation of our earthquake-affected citizens by constructing over 300 wooden houses in Antakya, Kırıkhan, Defne and Altınözü in Hatay and on the Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Campus. We must not forget the value of Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's words, 'Every factory is a fortress.' The reason I am sharing the work we have done in the earthquake zone as GEBKİM OIZ is to emphasize how vital OIZs are in assisting the public during disasters such as earthquakes, if they are very well organized. All OIZs must have buildings that are safe against earthquakes and comply with all regulations; unlicensed illegal buildings must absolutely not be permitted. It is not enough to construct only safe buildings; all industrialists must prepare for search and rescue operations and post-earthquake activities, which is of great importance." The seminar highlighted the following topics: earthquake awareness in industry and measures to be taken, steps to be taken in industrial structures based on impressions from the earthquake zone, earthquake risk management in industrial buildings, non-structural risks in industrial facilities and protection of non-structural elements from earthquakes. The seminar, which was enlightening for companies in terms of earthquake preparedness, received great interest from participants. Following the presentations, an interactive environment was created with a question-and-answer session where participants found answers to their questions. The seminar concluded after plaques were presented to the speakers.