III Industrial Security Congress: Valencia’s Pioneering Public Safety Initiative

Industrial safety has become a decisive element for calibrating, measuring, or evaluating how competitive a company is and how productive it can be. Empar Martínez, the Autonomous Secretary for Sustainable Economy, Productive Sectors, Trade and Consumption, will participate as Alicante hosts the Digital District venue for the II Industrial Security Congress, a first for the city in this format.

More than 200 confirmed participants are set to join this event, organized by FEMPA, with the Generalitat Valenciana and key leaders from the industrial sector expected to participate. The Valencian Community has positioned itself as a pioneer in Spain by hosting an event of this scale and scope.

Industrial safety can be understood as a framework of rules and practices that keep facilities such as boilers, machinery, and heating systems in optimal operating condition. It is the kind of safety that often remains invisible until something goes wrong, yet it underpins smooth production and reliability across operations.

This topic is undeniably vital. It touches every production process and centers on four core areas: quality, environment, safety, and health. These elements affect facilities and people alike, including workers and end users, and require maintaining safe conditions while complying with the necessary regulations.

Within industrial safety, ensuring safe conditions also means controlling access, monitoring activities, and coordinating with state security agencies and emergency services, such as the police, fire departments, and other responders when needed.

The first priority is compliance with regulations, which are studied by experts who keep them up to date. A company’s adherence to these rules is not merely bureaucratic; it is a matter of safety. A robust safety system reduces sick leave and minimizes risks caused by unauthorized entry, shifts, or workplace accidents, ultimately sustaining productivity.

Equally important is having qualified professionals. A new role has emerged within the governance framework, dedicated to industrial safety, ensuring that companies meet safety standards. This is supported by ongoing training programs so these professionals stay current with best practices.

Since 2018, the Generalitat Valenciana has promoted investments and measures to improve industrial safety, with 450,000 euros allocated to date. This work is a collaborative effort within the Industrial Safety Coordination Board, alongside commercial organizations, federations, engineering associations, vocational training centers, Labora, and risk prevention bodies.

The overarching goal is to safeguard the safety of people, companies, and professionals. There is a clear commitment to prevent industrial safety from being treated as an invisible activity.

Key measures over the past four years include broad dissemination and awareness campaigns about industrial safety in schools and through media channels such as radio, cinema, and television, addressing both the general public and professionals. Strengthened market surveillance has also been a focus, with inspections aimed at ensuring professionals are informed and that companies meeting safety standards remain in good standing.

Tomorrow’s event aims to demonstrate that industrial safety requires education, regulation, expertise, dedicated preparation, and broad cooperation among all social actors. It is a major gathering with many professionals involved, and more than 200 participants have already confirmed attendance. [Source: Generalitat Valenciana]

Valencia is notable for being the first autonomous community to organize a congress of this character, establishing a distinctive brand for the region. The coordinated efforts of the past four years have yielded milestones, including the Industrial Safety Campaign of September 2022 with involvement from professional bodies and business federations; two industrial safety conferences held already, with the first in Valencia and the second tomorrow in Alicante; and the II Industrial Safety Awards scheduled for November 3 in Castellón. [Source: FEMPA]

The organizers, FEMPA, are commended for their commitment to education, hosting expert conferences, and prioritizing the issues most relevant to professionals dedicated to industrial safety. The collaboration also involved the General Directorate of Industry from the Ministry in two recent events.

Of note is the new Industry Law, which has moved into a public consultation phase and will include a dedicated section on industrial safety. This legislation will influence expansion, digitalization, the circular economy, new technologies, and emerging productive sectors.

As progress continues, a high level of safety has been achieved, yet the aim remains to support the evolution of new technologies and production methods with maximum safety for users and workers exposed to industrial risks. [Source: Generalitat Valenciana]

More information: II Industrial Security Congress

Thursday, October 6, 2022. Digital District (Alicante)

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