International Workshop on Machinery Safety
Üsküdar University hosted an important international workshop focused on machinery safety and cybersecurity.
The workshop was organized by BrainPark Technology Transfer Office and the Occupational Safety, Occupational Health and Environmental Health Application and Research Center (ÜSGÜMER). It stands out as the first international standardization meeting held in Türkiye in this field.
Held at the university’s Central Campus, the event brought together Assoc. Prof. Dr. Müge Ensari Özay, Faculty Member at the Department of Occupational Health and Safety and Director of R&D and Innovation Policies; Erhan Eskicumalı, Chair of the TSE MTC 207 Machinery Safety Committee; Dr. Lecturer Rüştü Uçan, Deputy Chair of the Committee; and international committee members.
Machinery Safety and Cybersecurity Addressed Together
One of the key outcomes of the workshop was the shared view that machinery safety and cybersecurity can no longer be considered separately.
As industrial systems become increasingly digitalized, the integration of cybersecurity requirements into existing safety frameworks has become essential.
In this context, discussions focused on the development of the EN 50742 standard. Significant progress was made regarding the finalization of the standard and its harmonization process.
More Than 30 Experts from 10 Countries Participated
The workshop, conducted by the CLC/TC 44X / WG2 working group, welcomed more than 30 experts from 10 countries, both in person and online.
Feedback from European standardization bodies was evaluated, and technical comments related to the standardization process were discussed.
Important stages were completed ahead of the meeting scheduled to take place in Stockholm in May, which is expected to play a critical role in the harmonization process.
Contribution to the New Machinery Regulation
The workshop also addressed the European Union’s New Machinery Regulation (EU 2023/1230).
Participants emphasized that the convergence of safety and security concepts will become one of the most important technical topics in the coming period.
This approach points to a new standardization era in which industrial safety is considered together with cybersecurity, system integrity, and digital resilience.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özay: “TSE Standards Increase the Competitiveness of Domestic Production”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Müge Ensari Özay highlighted the critical role of TSE standards in machinery safety.
Özay said:
Studies carried out by the Turkish Standards Institution (TSE) in machinery safety processes play a vital role not only in increasing the competitiveness of domestic production in international markets, but also in preventing occupational accidents.
She also underlined the importance of standards that aim to integrate machinery safety and cybersecurity in an increasingly digitalized industrial infrastructure:
The development of standards such as EN 50742 enables technical barriers to be overcome and supports the establishment of a safe production ecosystem. TSE’s active participation in these processes and its harmonization work with international committees pave the way for Türkiye to move from being a follower to becoming a guiding actor in the determination of global standards.
A Strong Bridge Between Academia and Industry
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özay also stated that holding Türkiye’s first international standardization meeting in this field under the roof of a university created a strong bridge between academic knowledge and industrial needs.
She noted that Üsküdar University’s hosting role reinforces its vision of becoming a technology hub that contributes to global industrial transformation.
The collaboration coordinated by ÜSGÜMER, ARGEYEP, and BrainPark TTO was described as an important contribution to decisions serving the goal of a safer future at both local and international levels.
