Event on World Day for Safety and Health at Work held at Institute of Information Technology

An educational event dedicated to April 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work, was held at the Institute of Information Technology of the Ministry of Science and Education. The meeting was organized by the institute's Trade Union Committee.

At the beginning of the event, Associate Professor Rashid Alakbarov, Executive Director of the institute and PhD in Technical Sciences, provided an overview of the history of World Day for Safety and Health at Work, which is marked annually on April 28. He noted that the day was established by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2003 with the primary objective of strengthening the culture of occupational safety and health. “The motto for 2026 has been designated as ‘Let's ensure a healthy psychosocial working environment!'" Alakbarov stated. “This emphasizes the vital importance of protecting both physical and psychological health in the workplace.”

The Executive Director noted that occupational safety refers to the set of regulations and safety measures implemented to protect the lives and health of employees during the course of their work. This approach is promoted internationally by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and aims to increase public awareness regarding the importance of preventive measures to forestall industrial accidents. The principles established by the ILO are recognized as the primary framework for creating safe and healthy working conditions.

Rashid Alakbarov further emphasized that physical security measures are among the institute’s top priorities and stated that occupational health and safety issues are consistently maintained at the forefront of the administration's agenda.

Then, Anar Samidov, Chairman of the institute's Trade Union Committee, noted in his address that while occupational safety during the industrial era focused primarily on mitigating workplace accidents and physical risks, the leading threats in today's information society are linked to cognitive overload, chronic stress, and burnout syndrome. According to Mr. Samidov, the most significant "occupational accidents" in the modern era have shifted from physical to psychological in nature.

He emphasized that work organization, management styles, and the social environment have a direct impact on both the psychological and physical health of employees. The speaker noted several key risk factors specifically within the fields of research and information technology, including digital overload, the stress of constant skill updates, and the blurring of boundaries between professional and personal life during remote work.

Discussing the concept of "technological stress," Anar Samidov stated that continuous online connectivity, prolonged screen time, and the pressure of being "always available" pose new threats to employee health.

“To mitigate these risks, maintaining a balance between work and personal life, taking digital breaks, and strengthening physical activity and social connections are vital factors,” Samidov added.

Ulviyya Alakbarova, Head of the institute's Human Resources Department, noted in her speech that ensuring safety and health in the workplace is not only an organizational matter but also a legal obligation regulated by legislation. She discussed the respective duties of both employers and employees in the field of occupational safety, emphasizing the vital importance of complying with legislative requirements.

Highlighting the importance of making safety an integral part of organizational culture, Ulviyya Alakbarova called on the institute’s staff to consistently adhere to legislative requirements and take a proactive stance in maintaining a safe work environment.

At the event, the institute's chief researcher, Doctor of Technical Sciences, associate professor Zarifa Jabrayilova; chief engineer Shakir Mehdiyev; and senior researcher, PhD in Technical Sciences, Afruz Gurbanova shared their insights on the goals and objectives of World Day for Safety and Health at Work.

They noted that, alongside the development of scientific activity at the Institute of Information Technology and the provision of intellectual support to employees, the promotion of decent and productive work under conditions of equality and safety is ensured. Speakers also emphasized that various issues faced by the institute’s staff are addressed, employees are brought together and encouraged to actively participate in the institution’s public life, and other organizational activities are carried out at a high level with transparency. It was highlighted that the efficient, prompt, and transparent implementation of organizational processes contributes to the establishment of a healthy working environment at the institute and further strengthens team solidarity.

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