Santiago de Chile celebrated its 24th edition under the motto ‘Digitalization & Wellbeing: New Era for Prevention’

The 24th edition of the ORP International Congress, organised by the ORP International Foundation, started last Wednesday 23rd October in the Auditorium of the Metropolitan Convention Centre of Santiago, with the central theme ‘Digitalization & Wellbeing: New Era for Prevention’. This event brought together more than 160 speakers from all over the world, consolidating itself as a global benchmark in Occupational Health and Safety in an environment marked by digital transformation and the advance of artificial intelligence.

Amaro Gómez-Pablos, renowned journalist, was the master of ceremonies during the opening ceremony, which featured speeches from leaders in the sector, including ORP Foundation President Hans-Horst Konkolewsky; ORP Congress Director Pedro R. Mondelo; General Manager of the Chilean Safety Association (ACHS) Juan Luis Moreno; and the Superintendent of Social Security (SUSESO) Pamela Gana.

The opening day’s programme included lectures by experts in artificial intelligence and its impact on the world of work, including Sergio Patrick Somerville of the World Bank, who addressed the role of AI in the development of digital strategies, and Dr. Tetiana Klymchuk of Sabentis, who explored the new frontiers of generative AI in Occupational Safety and Health.

The event, which coincides with the European Week for Safety and Health at Work, continued for three days with activities including working sessions and panel discussions in dedicated rooms and simultaneous translation. It was also an opportunity to reward the best in its now traditional ORPHEUS Night, an awards gala held on 24 October to recognise the most outstanding professionals and projects in the field of occupational health and safety. Among the award winners were the Hospital Universitario San Ignacio and innovative projects such as Tuscany, in virtual reality. The individual awards went to Dr. Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed and Franco Dutto. In addition, the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) received the ORP 2024 International Award for its leadership in the ‘Vision Zero’ initiative.

In the closing session, Amaro Gómez-Pablos, the event’s presenter, expressed his thanks to all attendees and highlighted the importance of the knowledge shared in a global environment that demands safer and more wellbeing-promoting workplaces. The closing programme included a series of keynotes, including Rodrigo Montero on workplace wellbeing and economics; Pablo Yáñez from Acciona, who presented a new paradigm in preventive management; Ignacio Fuentes from MIT’s Jameel Clinic, who explored advances in generative artificial intelligence; and Fabia Silva from Dronak Robotics, who spoke about the impact of AI on automation and labour relations.

The event also included an ORP Talks slot, where Amaro Gómez-Pablos and Mateo Valero, from the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, addressed the role of supercomputing, digital twins and artificial intelligence in the future of OSH.

In their closing remarks, the Rector of the Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Teodoro Ribera; the President of the ORP Foundation, Hans-Horst Konkolewsky; and the Director of the ORP Foundation, Pedro R. Mondelo, highlighted the relevance of this initiative in the advance towards safe and sustainable working practices. It was also announced that the next meeting will be held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, from 30-31 July to 1 August 2025, coinciding with the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the International ORP Foundation promoting innovation in workplace prevention.

The ORP 2024 Congress reaffirmed its commitment to leading change in the field of Occupational Health and Safety in a rapidly evolving environment towards a digital and technologically advanced future.

ORPHEUS Night 2024: Celebrating Excellence in Occupational Risk Prevention

Santiago, 28 October 2024 – On 25 October, the ORP Foundation held the highly anticipated ORPHEUS Night at the Sala Vitacura of the Metropolitan Santiago, a key event within the ORP 2024 Congress: Digitalization & Wellbeing: New Era For Prevention. The ceremony, hosted by Amaro Gómez-Pablos and Josefa Flores, recognised companies and professionals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to occupational risk prevention and the development of innovative solutions.

The evening began with welcoming remarks by Professor Pedro R. Mondelo, Director of the ORP International Foundation, and Mr. Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, President of the ORP International Foundation, followed by the awards ceremony.

The award winners and their initiatives:

• Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Colombia: Seal of Excellence Z for its commitment to Health and Safety at Work. Receiving the award: Reinaldo Grueso Angulo, María Fernanda Rubio and Carlos Heredia.
• Universidad de La Sabana, Colombia: Seal of Excellence Z for its culture of prevention and university welfare. Recipient of the award: Edwin González.Compañía Minera Antamina S.A., Peru: Seal of Excellence Z for its innovation in risk management and occupational safety. Recipient of the award: Walter Oyola Neyra.
• Tuscany South America Ltd, Colombia: Special recognition for the risk mitigation project with virtual reality and psychosocial intervention. Recipients: Carlos Cortes Lopez, Luseleni Cordero Niño and Carlos Heredia Ferreira.
• Cemex Premezclados de Colombia S.A.: Special recognition for the safety attachments for mixer truck project. Recipient of the award: David Otero.
• Cerro Matoso S.A., Colombia: Special recognition for its leadership and safety model. Recipient of the award: Elkin Rey Veloza.
• Tecnoglass S.A., Colombia: Special recognition for the prevention of mechanical risks. Recipient: Miguel Angel Franco.
• National Police of Colombia: Special recognition for the 4D Healthy Life Strategy. Recipients: Andrea Cáceres and Carlos Heredia.
• Grupo Vanti S.A., Colombia: Special recognition for its cultural transformation model in security. Recipients: Luis Carlos Alfonso Ramírez Gutierrez and Sonia Patricia Salazar.
• Aguas Andinas, Chile: Special recognition for its Occupational Health and Safety management. Recipient of the award: Xavier Iraegui Navarro.
• Judicial Branch of Colombia: Special recognition for its cultural and behavioural policy. Recipients of the award: Diana Remolina, Naslly Ramos and Carlos Heredia.
• Enel Colombia S.A.: Special recognition for its innovation programme in occupational safety. Recipient of the award: Camilo Torres Vega.
• Coltanques SAS, Colombia: Special recognition for its driving assistant project. Recipient: Ingrid Marcela Gomez.
• Universidad del Sinú Elías Bechara Zainúm, Colombia: Special recognition for its happiness and wellbeing centre. Recipient: Andrea Ortega Bechara.
• Fundación Valle del Lili, Colombia: Special recognition for its model of care for the Lili citizen. Recipient: Marta Bermúdez Vallecilla.
• Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed, CEO of Perkeso, Malaysia: Professional recognition for his leadership in occupational risk prevention. Recipient of the award: Dr. Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed.
• Franco Dutto, Tsubaki Nakashima: Professional recognition for his management and promotion of wellbeing in the company. Recipient of the award: Franco Dutto.
• German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), Germany: International ORP 2024 Award for leadership in the Vision Zero initiative. Recipient of the award: Sven Timm.

These awards highlight commitment and excellence in occupational risk prevention and the promotion of well-being in various sectors.

The evening culminated with a musical cocktail party, celebrating the achievements and positive impact of the award winners in improving safety and wellbeing at work. The ORP Foundation thanks all participants and hopes that their dedication will continue to inspire many more organisations.