Teaching and research area of work of the department
The responsibilities of the Department of Living and Working Environment Protection in the realization of scientific research work are the organization and execution of the teaching process for the department’s subjects and the development of science and scientific areas that are within the competence of the department.
At the Faculty of Metallurgy and Technology of the University of Zenica, two new study programs have started in the academic year 2021/22:
Study program – Environmental Protection Engineering
Study program – Safety at work and fire protection; department for occupatinal health and safety and departement of fire protection
Environmental engineering is a dynamic and growing field of engineering that provides answers to numerous questions related to environmental protection. The competencies of environmental engineers derive from the very definition of “Environmental Engineering”, which according to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) from the USA, implies the application of science, engineering and principles of good practice to improve the general condition of environmental elements such as water, air, and soil. This type of engineering aims to ensure clean and healthy water, air, and soil through techniques for purifying wastewater, air, and contaminated soil. The competencies of environmental protection engineers are also defined by the existing legal regulations, i.e. the valid nomenclature of occupations. For a long period of time, there has been a lack of personnel in the field of occupational safety and fire protection caused by generational change, the war, and the lack of adequate faculties in Bosnia and Herzegovina for this area of education. In contrast, according to legal regulations, all companies and enterprises must have an organized system for the protection of people and facilities during the technological process, and the need for this personnel is great. Looking at the development and structure of the economy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is estimated that such staff is lacking (metal and wood industry, paper production, textile industry, production of refractory products, mines, transport, construction companies, etc.), therefore it is irreplaceable, especially with the increase in the number of accidents and injuries with fatal outcome in workplaces.
