An introductory meeting on the Guidelines on Hygiene, Prevention and Control of Covid-19 Infection was held at the Ministry of Industry and Technology with the participation of the Chairman of the Turkish Institute of Standards (TSE), Doctor of Technical Sciences, Prof. Dr. Adem Şahin.

In his speech, Minister of Industry and Technology Mustafa Varank said that during the fight against a new type of coronavirus (Сovid-19), the Ministry’s highest priority was to protect the health of workers. To ensure continuous production and hygiene of workers, special norms and restrictions have been developed.

Mr. Varank emphasized that 90% of Turkey’s total export of US $ 180 billion is industrial products, adding: “Those five and a half million people who work in industrial production are the real heroes to us. During the pandemic, we direct all efforts to support a carefully designed infrastructure. The Covid-19 Prevention and Control Guide fully reflects our intentions and the spirit to fight against this pandemic."

Mr. Varank noted that in the process of developing the Guidelines, the recommendations of the World Health Organization, the Ministry of Health, occupational health professionals and representatives of relevant industries were taken into account as deemed required. What is intended with the guide is to inform all industrial workers about the procedures for the prevention and control of Covid-19.

Mr. Varank emphasized that the measures introduced are aimed at protecting the health of all persons involved in production, and said:

“We have developed a structure that is easily applicable in all industries. Naturally, it will be applied differently in different fields, depending on the specifics of production and the number of personnel in enterprises. Based on this, in the Guide, we presented a consistent and flexible approach. Enterprises are not subject to high costs. We recommend simple but effective measures. ”

“Precautions must be strictly observed.”

Mr. Varank pointed out the importance of enterprise compliance with the pandemic and said that the impact of the epidemic on production will begin to decline and eventually disappear, the resilience of the material production sector to the epidemic will increase, and after the completion of the Covid-19 epidemic, the competitiveness of producers will increase due to increased demand.

Mr. Varank gave the following assessment on the contents of the Guide:

“The first part includes the features of infection with Covid-19. It contains information about the transmission, incubation period and course of the disease, as well as measures aimed at preventing infection by drip, contact and air. The next part provides protective and control measures. Such infection control measures include maintaining physical distance, wearing masks, ensuring proper cleaning and disinfection, hand hygiene, and other measures. In addition, the Guide clarifies the practical implementation of such measures, as well."

Mr. Varank also spoke about the need for regular training of working personnel on such specific measures as temperature measurement, maintaining social-distance, and managing production waste.

He recalled that 2 years ago TSI published the world's first and only standard management system in the field of hygiene and sanitation and said that the institute began training and certification in this area.

Safe Manufacturing Certificate

Mr. Varank said the Guide would be a pioneer for companies in the fight against the pandemic, and shared the following information:

«Administration will also ensure that enterprises comply with reliable and hygienic production standards required in the post-pandemic period. If an industrial enterprise complies with the standards specified in the Guide and fulfills all the requirements, it will be eligible to lodge its application to TSI. A checklist will be created. The applicant will be inspected as deemed required and, based on the results of the inspection, the enterprise will be granted an international “Certificate of Safe Production under Covid-19.».

Mr. Varank noted that the institute is aimed at leading positions in this area, this guide is intended to provide additional benefits to manufacturers and said: “This guide will increase the confidence of employees in their employers and will increase labor productivity. It will stimulate the production of hygiene products and eliminate the arising of more questionable issues about hygiene and sanitation among consumers."

Mr. Varank said that such certification in the future will become a priority for international trade, and enterprises producing products in safe conditions will become market leaders.

He expressed in confidence that Turkish industrialists have everything necessary to bring this trend in the right direction and said:

«I hope that many enterprises will receive a "Certificate of Safe Production in Covid-19. In the future, we plan to extend this certification activity from industrial facilities to other industries. We strive to ensure that the principle of security and trust is at the head of all economic activity."

TSE PRESIDENT PROF. DR. ADEM ŞAHİN

President of the Turkish Institute of Standards (TSI), Doctor of Technical Sciences, Prof. Dr. Adem Şahin assessed the “Hygiene, Prevention and Control Guide for Covid-19,” which outlines the measures to be taken to fight against Covid-19 in industrial plants. Mr. Şahin spoke about social responsibility for safe production and said: “I think that the industrial sector needs such regulation. The whole world is worried about safe production and taking necessary measures during the Covid-19 pandemic. Looking at the same from this perspective, we can say that it is all about trust, awareness and social responsibility with regards to health issues."

«Responsibility for safe production»

Mr. Şahin spoke about the ultimate need for such regulation of production processes and said: "This is a voluntary certification process based on TSE standards and criteria. These requirements are not mandatory for implementation in production, but again, in order to meet the requirements of health authorities and administration, as presented during this period, we recommend these to be followed as specified. I think that the industrial sector is in need of such regulation. The whole world is worried about safe production and taking necessary measures during the Covid-19 pandemic. Considering this issue from this perspective, we can say that it is all about trust, awareness and social responsibility for health issues. "