ASSESSMENT OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY IN THE BLACK SEA REGION OF UKRAINE

Abstract

The paper presents theoretical and applied aspects of ensuring industrial safety in the Black Sea region of Ukraine against the background of the socio-economic turbulence and military aggression. The purpose of the paper is to provide theoretical justification and practical assessment of the industrial safety level in the Black Sea region of Ukraine under conditions of martial law using an indicator approach, as well as to identify the main threats and areas for its strengthening at the regional level. Methodology. The methodological basis of the study is modern scientific approaches to assess the industrial safety, with special emphasis on the regional level of analysis under the conditions of martial law. To achieve the set goal, a number of general scientific and special research methods were applied. The logical-theoretical method was used to clarify the essence of the “industrial safety” concept, determine its place in the system of economic security of the state and the region, as well as to reveal the features of the industrial sphere functioning in conditions of crisis phenomena. The analytical method was applied to systematize existing approaches to assessing industrial safety, critically analyze scientific sources and the regulatory framework. For practical measurement of the industrial safety level, an indicator approach was used, which is based on the assessment of key indicators that reflect the industrial sphere state and its ability to function stably in unstable conditions. The statistical method was applied to collect, process and analyze data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, as well as regional statistics departments of Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kherson regions, which allowed for an empirical assessment of the industrial safety level in the Black Sea region. The comparison method was used to identify differences in safety levels among individual regions, as well as for comparison with regulatory values. In order to visualize the study results, the identified trends and structural changes, a graphical method was applied, which contributes to a better understanding and interpretation of the results obtained. The comprehensive application of these methods provided both theoretical and applied value of the study, allowing to provide a substantiated assessment of the industrial safety of the region, taking into account modern challenges and threats. Study results. Based on a comprehensive analysis of industrial safety in the Black Sea region, which includes an assessment of key economic indicators, in particular, the depreciation degree of the fixed assets in industry, the share of high-tech products in the total volume of industrial products sold, the profitability of operating activities, labor intensity, as well as structural, infrastructural and personnel aspects, both positive trends and significant problems affecting the stability and efficiency of the functioning of industrial enterprises in the region were identified. A comprehensive assessment of the state of industrial safety in the Black Sea region of Ukraine has demonstrated that its level is the result of the action of interrelated economic, technical, organizational and social factors, and also deeply depends on external destabilizing influences, in particular military actions, infrastructure destruction, loss of sales markets and decrease in investment activity. Structural imbalances and threats that reduce the stability of the region's production system have been identified. Practical importance. An adapted indicator approach to assessing industrial safety at the regional level is proposed and a SWOT analysis is conducted, which makes it possible to outline the strategic directions for restoring and strengthening production potential. The need for infrastructure modernization, supporting innovations, and developing public-private partnership to ensure the stability and safety of the production environment of the Black Sea region is substantiated.