The Second Edition of Intensive Safety Week 2026 Connected Experts from 9 Countries Around the World
The Faculty of Safety Engineering at VSB – Technical University of Ostrava hosted the second edition of the international event Intensive Safety Week 2026 from 4 to 8 May 2026. The event brought together experts, academics, researchers, and students from a total of nine countries worldwide. The week-long programme featured expert lectures, thematic sessions, laboratory tours, networking activities, and opportunities to explore the region, confirming the Faculty of Safety Engineering as an important centre of international cooperation in the field of safety.
The international meeting connected partners from the Czech Republic, Poland, Portugal, Latvia, Mexico, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Canada, and Italy. The programme focused on current topics in safety research, crisis management, ergonomics, fire protection, environmental safety, alternative energy sources, and hydrogen technologies.
Opening of the Programme and the First Expert Lecture
The first day of Safety Week was dedicated to the official opening and introduction of the Faculty of Safety Engineering at VSB-TUO and its partner institutions. Participants had the opportunity to explore the faculty facilities during a guided campus tour and establish their first international contacts.
The expert programme opened with a lecture by Oskars Pirags from Turiba University in Latvia titled “Security Concept Development and Technical Specifications for Systems: Experience from Latvia”. The lecture provided insights into the development of security concepts and technical system specifications based on Latvian experience.
The Second Day Marked by Parallel Lectures and Expert Sessions
The second day featured an extensive parallel professional programme. Marcin Butlewski from Poznań University of Technology in Poland introduced the topic of ergonomics and human factors in his lecture “Introduction to Ergonomics and Human Factors: Case Studies from Poland”.
Celestino Almeida from the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco in Portugal focused on current trends in the Portuguese civil protection system in relation to rural fires and cooperation with local communities.
An important part of the programme was also the lecture by CESAR team member Julio Santana from VSB-TUO titled “Complex systems and system dynamics: the hydrogen case”, focused on system dynamics and hydrogen technologies.
Alejandro López Tamayo from Universidad Anáhuac Cancún in Mexico presented research focused on water management in karst regions and eco-technologies for protecting water resources on the Yucatán Peninsula.
Atdhe Kabashi from Biznesi College in Kosovo focused on emergency management in the field of alternative energy sources.
The programme also included thematic sessions dedicated to crisis management, fire safety, wildfires, and human factors.
The afternoon programme included an excursion to Raduň Castle, which provided opportunities not only to explore regional history and culture but also for informal networking and knowledge exchange among participants.
Energy and Environmental Safety
The third day of Safety Week focused mainly on energy and environmental safety. Enrico Danzi from VSB-TUO presented the lecture “Safety of metals as a new energy carrier”, dedicated to the safety aspects of metals as emerging energy carriers.
The programme also included a thematic session dedicated to environmental safety, laboratory tours, and an informal Lunch Talk with Frank Guldenmund from TU Delft, creating space for professional discussions and exchange of experience among participants.
In the afternoon, participants visited the national cultural heritage site Dolní oblast Vítkovice and Bolt Tower, where they explored Ostrava’s industrial history and the unique architecture of the former blast furnace complex.
Safety of the Future and International Cooperation
Thursday’s programme opened with a lecture by Frank Guldenmund from TU Delft titled “From Past to Future: A Philosophical View on 40 Years of Safety Development”, offering a broader perspective on the development of safety over recent decades.
Paul Amyotte from Dalhousie University in Canada then introduced the principles of inherently safer design in his lecture “Inherently Safer Design”.
An important part of the day was also a session dedicated to international cooperation, grant opportunities, and Erasmus+ projects, supporting the further development of international partnerships.
The afternoon thematic block “Process Safety & Alternative Fuels/CESAR” brought together experts and students in discussions on alternative fuels, hydrogen safety, and current safety research. Main speakers included Ernesto Salzano from the University of Bologna, Vojtěch Jankůj from VSB-TUO, and CESAR researchers Daniele Morra and Julio Santana.
A Platform for Knowledge Sharing and Building Partnerships
Intensive Safety Week 2026 once again confirmed the importance of international cooperation in safety research and education. The event created a platform for sharing expertise, establishing new contacts, and developing future research and educational activities.
Academics, researchers, and students from the Faculty of Safety Engineering at VSB-TUO actively participated in organising the programme. An important role was also played by the CESAR – Centre of Excellence for Safety Research project, funded by the Horizon Europe programme under the ERA Chair scheme.
Safety Week not only introduced current trends in safety research but also demonstrated that the Faculty of Safety Engineering at VSB-TUO is a respected partner within the international academic and research environment.