CIOP-PIB and PIPC join forces to improve safety

The Central Institute for Labour Protection, National Research Institute (CIOP-PIB) and the Polish Chamber of Chemical Industry (PIPC) have signed a cooperation agreement. The document was concluded during the first Polish Chemical Industry Safety Day, held on 1 October 2026 in Katowice and combined with the fourth Workshops & Networking: Safe and Digital Chemistry conference. The partnership is intended to combine the Institute's research and expert capabilities with the experience of the chemical industry's largest companies. The agreement was signed by CIOP-PIB Director Agnieszka Szczygielska and PIPC Management Board President Tomasz Zieliński, PhD Eng. The cooperation will cover occupational safety and health, ergonomics, process safety and the adaptation of plants to technological and regulatory changes.

"The establishment of Chemical Industry Safety Day is intended to emphasise that safety is not merely a regulatory obligation, but an element of the organisational culture of chemical companies, covering a broad spectrum of issues, from occupational health and safety through process safety and cybersecurity to infrastructure, transport and logistics. I am convinced that cooperation with the Central Institute for Labour Protection will enable us to effectively contribute to further improving companies' awareness and to more fully combining business experience with scientific knowledge and systemic solutions," says Tomasz Zieliński, PhD Eng., President of the Management Board of the Polish Chamber of Chemical Industry.

Cooperation between science and industry

The agreement provides for cooperation in scientific research, research and development, implementation, promotion and dissemination activities. The measures undertaken are to concern fields relevant to safety in the broad sense, as well as employee health and ergonomics in the working environment. The parties also declare joint initiatives supporting the continued development of the chemical industry in Poland.

"In the chemical industry, employee safety cannot be separated from the safety of the process, installation and the entire plant. This is why it is so important to combine two perspectives: scientific knowledge and the experience of people responsible for safety in companies every day. We want to listen to the problems facing the industry, analyse them together and look for solutions that are not only scientifically sound but, above all, applicable in practice," says Agnieszka Szczygielska, Director of the Central Institute for Labour Protection, National Research Institute.

The agreement is intended to support the continuous exchange of knowledge between science and industry. The scope of cooperation will include identifying new hazards and business needs, joint expert and research activities, and disseminating solutions that can be applied in workplaces. This is expected to facilitate the development of solutions addressing changing technologies, working conditions and regulatory requirements.

Polish safety day

Polish Chemical Industry Safety Day was established by PIPC in 2026 as an annual joint initiative of the chemical industry, public administration, social partners and educational institutions. Its objectives include:

• promoting a safety culture among employees, management staff and business partners;
• promoting good practices and innovative solutions concerning the safety of processes, installations and work organisation;
• raising public awareness of the responsible nature of the chemical industry and its commitment to protecting people and the environment;
• supporting dialogue between industry, public administration and local communities in the field of industrial safety;
• strengthening the industry's image as a modern and responsible sector operating in accordance with the highest standards.

The initiative is aligned with PIPC's mission and the Safe Chemistry Programme run by the Chamber. The programme focuses on strengthening the safety, resilience and competitiveness of the chemical sector and building a shared message: chemistry = responsibility = safety = trust.

Polish Chemical Industry Safety Day is linked to the European Week for Safety and Health at Work, held in October and coordinated by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA). Its objective is to promote a safety culture, prevention and the exchange of good workplace practices. The initiative also refers to European Cybersecurity Month, organised at the initiative of the European Commission and the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA).

From 2026, the event is to be held annually on the first Thursday of October.

Safe and digital chemistry

The first Safety Day was combined with the two-day Workshops & Networking: Safe and Digital Chemistry event. During the event, specialists and experts discuss safety in the broad sense and the practical implementation of digital solutions in the chemical industry.

The programme is practical and interactive. It includes workshops, case studies, demonstrations, presentations, moderated discussions and meetings with experts. The fourth edition of the PIPC event takes place on 1 and 2 October 2026 in Katowice.