Dariush Maleki, speaking in an interview with Nipna during the Third
Petrochemical Industry Health Festival, emphasized the importance of education
in the chain of employee health. He noted that the programs focused on
industrial health, environmental health, and nutrition, aiming to improve the
expertise of local health officers.
“We have conducted six empowerment courses for health experts in the
region this year, covering three main areas: industrial health, environmental
health, and nutrition,” Maleki stated. He stressed that education plays a
crucial role in strengthening the workforce’s capabilities, especially for
health officers responsible for spreading awareness.
Maleki highlighted that while efforts to identify and mitigate risks
are underway, addressing the entire health chain requires more than just
workplace education. “If employees' families do not receive training, we are
only achieving about 50% of our goals,” he explained. He emphasized that the
full health cycle can only be completed when employees’ families are also
educated and involved in the process.
The goal of the Health Festival, he noted, was to ensure family
members—spouses, children, and siblings of petrochemical workers—are equipped
with the necessary knowledge to support health practices at home. “The entire
purpose of this festival is to educate the families of our workers, as their
involvement is essential in completing the health chain,” he added.
Maleki also pointed out the importance of addressing burnout and
mental health among workers, and he referred to a special program for senior
managers aimed at improving mental wellness. "Dr. Abbaszadeh has laid the
foundation for mental health discussions, and his remarks serve as an essential
part of our training," he said. Continuous mental health training for
managers is part of their strategy to ensure the complete wellbeing of workers
in the petrochemical industry.
In conclusion, Maleki emphasized the ongoing efforts to fill gaps in
the health cycle through targeted education programs and a comprehensive
approach that includes both the workforce and their families.