Minsk, March 13, 2026.
The "Height 2026" conference was held at the BNTU branch "Intersectoral Institute for Advanced Training and Retraining of Personnel in Management and Personnel Development" (IIAPR BNTU) at 77 Partizansky Prospekt.
Organized by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus, IIAPR BNTU, and private trading unitary enterprise "AlpPayer", it brought together over 120 specialists in person and nearly 100 online to discuss work safety at height in light of legislative changes coming into force on April 26, 2026.
The event, held from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, provided a platform for sharing experiences, enhancing competencies, and showcasing innovations. Participants learned about new requirements for PPE, safety systems, and first aid, and discussed risks and best practices.
Ivan Aleksandrovich Karchevsky, Head of the Department of Labor Protection and State Expertise of Working Conditions at the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus, addressed the audience with a welcoming speech. In his speech, Ivan Aleksandrovich explained the requirements of the new Occupational Safety and Health Regulations for Work at Height.
Next, the head of the labor protection department of STB Bel Expert LLC, instructor of the Vision Zero safety concept in the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Sergeyevich Drozdov, spoke about risk management when working at heights as a concept of conscious safety, covering both organizational and technical aspects.
Understanding risks and a conceptual approach to safety require professional skills. And any skill begins with quality training. Vitaly Vladimirovich Model, Director of private trading unitary enterprise "AlpPayer", a member of the 3rd group for work at height safety and a lecturer at the IIAPR BNTU, spoke about how to properly structure this training process for groups 1, 2, and 3 in work at height safety.
Alexander Aleksandrovich Mikhalchuk, Associate Professor of the Department of Organization of Medical Support for Troops and Disaster Medicine at BSMU and Director of ATAN PROFI, shared the specifics of first aid for falls from height.
Any emergency at height requires a clear procedure and coordination with emergency services before their arrival. The outcome of the incident directly depends on the correctness of these actions. Vitaly Aleksandrovich Fedkovich, senior lecturer at the Department of Fire and Rescue Training at the University of Civil Defense of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus, explained exactly what this procedure should be.
But the best way to deal with an emergency is to prevent it or be prepared for it to the point of minimizing its consequences. This is where international training standards come into play. Artem Sergeevich Gaponenko, an active IRATA technician, introduced international experience and the practical application of IRATA skills at every stage of training.
Highly trained specialists allow them to work in the most challenging conditions, especially where safety is essential not only for the worker but also for those around them - people in parks, resorts, and recreation areas. Tree maintenance in crowded areas has its own specifics and increased organizational requirements. Vasily Ivanovich Kolesnev, Director of Khimkol LLC and a practicing arborist, explained to the audience how to ensure safety in such conditions.
The issues being raised today require not only technical solutions but also an understanding of the legal framework. How should industrial climbers organize their activities in 2026? What types of work are permitted, and what opportunities are there? Ilya Aleksandrovich Salalaiko, 5th-category industrial climber, gas rescuer, and 3rd Group for work at height safety, answered these questions.
Thematic exhibitions were also held within the framework of the conference.
The exhibition's "Reliable Protection: Equipment and Kits for Working at Height" showcased the latest developments in fall protection systems and personal protective equipment. Those in attendance were presented with modern harnesses, slings, anchor devices, locking devices, and other components that provide maximum fall protection, as well as helmets, protective clothing, gloves, and footwear designed specifically for working at height.
The exhibition "Prepared for Rescue: First Aid Kits" focused on the critical aspect of safety—prompt and competent first aid in emergency situations. Participants were able to see modern first aid kits - kits specifically designed for working at height, including everything needed to stop bleeding, immobilize, treat wounds, and provide other emergency measures.
The event concluded with an open discussion of the conference's current topics, offering the opportunity for informal networking with colleagues, partners, and official representatives.
The conference highlighted the transition to new standards and the exchange of experience between specialists, regulatory authorities, and manufacturers. Participants noted the practical value of the materials for daily work.
