The reduction of environmental pollutant emissions—including greenhouse gases, particulate matter, and other harmful substances—represents one of the foremost challenges in climate policy, economics, and industrial management today. Excessive emissions of CO₂, NO_X, and suspended particulates exert significant impacts on climate change as well as human health and welfare. Consequently, numerous studies and regulatory and technological initiatives are underway to mitigate these emissions. One critical area is intra-plant transport within manufacturing facilities, which, despite its localized scope, can substantially contribute to a company’s total emissions. This paper aims to assess the potential of computer simulation using FlexSim software as a decision-support tool for planning inter-operational transport, with a particular focus on environmental aspects. The study analyzes real operational data from a selected production plant (case study), concentrating on the optimization of the number of transport units, their routing, and the layout of workstations. It is hypothesized that reducing the number of trips, shortening transport routes, and efficiently utilizing transport resources can lead to lower emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NO_X). The findings provide a basis for a broader adoption of digital tools in sustainable production planning, emphasizing the integration of environmental criteria into decision-making processes. Furthermore, the results offer a foundation for future analyses that consider the development of green transport technologies—such as electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles—in the context of their implementation in the internal logistics of manufacturing enterprises.

The main purpose of the paper is the analysis of a process of change focusing particularly on the concept of slimmed production (Lean) and its implementation in the enterprise. A case study method was chosen as a research tool because it offers wide array of techniques and means of gaining and analysing data. A metallurgical company was evaluated as a case study in this article. Thanks to the implementation of Autonomous Maintenance the company reached a growth in skills and responsibility for work done and a reduction in malfunction at work places. Thus, total process maintenance (TPM) as one of the Lean concept tools whose implementation significantly influences industrial workers’ competences was chosen for the analysis. Referring to the bibliography on change management, the article focused on one of the changes in particular – the change in human resources management (namely in employees' skills) in steel and manufacturing companies.

The iron and steel industry is one of the most energy- and emission-intensive industrial sectors, accounting for approximately 95% of global metal production and 7–9% of global CO₂ emissions. Its decarbonization is therefore central to climate change mitigation and has potential co-benefits for environmental quality and human health through reductions in air pollutants associated with conventional coal-based steelmaking. This review addresses the following question: which technological and systemic pathways can reduce emissions from iron and steel production, and what constraints limit their deployment across regions? The article synthesizes current knowledge on the dominant blast furnace–basic oxygen furnace and electric arc furnace routes, their emission intensities, and their role in global steel production. It then evaluates two complementary groups of decarbonization pathways: optimization of existing carbon-intensive processes and the transition to low- and near-zero-carbon technologies, including hydrogen-based direct reduction, electrification, carbon capture, utilization and storage. Particular attention is given to the dependence of these pathways on low-carbon electricity, hydrogen availability, scrap supply, infrastructure, policy frameworks, and regional economic conditions. The review highlights that technological readiness alone is insufficient to ensure deep decarbonization; implementation depends on the alignment of energy systems, industrial investment cycles, and climate policy. From a public health perspective, steel decarbonization should be understood as a climate mitigation measure with potential health co-benefits, particularly where it reduces both greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution.

Purpose: The aim of the research was to assess the awareness of middle-level employees in the field of health and safety at work and the rules related to work safety in the plant being the subject of the analysis. Design/methodology/approach: For the purposes of this study, a four-stage methodology of own work was adopted. Adopting a four-stage approach allowed for the assessment of the awareness of middle-level employees regarding issues related to occupational health and safety in the automotive industry. To assess the awareness of middle-level employees regarding issues related to occupational health and safety, a criterion was adopted, according to which awareness was rated as low or high. Findings: On the basis of the conducted research, it was found that middle-level employees have knowledge of the methods and tools used to improve work safety, and also see their significant impact on improving safety at the positions they are directly responsible for. Research limitation/implications: The analyzis carried out was limited to quantitative data obtained from a survey addressed to a specific group of respondents - middle-level employees. Practical implications: The conducted research may constitute important information for management staff in assessing the awareness of middle-level employees in the field of occupational health and safety. They also allow for the identification of areas requiring further improvement aimed at achieving the goals set by the management staff and the occupational health and safety department. Social implications: The article raises the issue of awareness of middle-level employees of the automotive industry in the field of occupational health and safety. Originality/value: The conducted research made it possible to assess the awareness of middle- level employees in the field of occupational health and safety and to determine the directions of future research directions in an enterprise in the automotive industry in Poland. Keywords: occupational health and safety (OSH), surveys, employee awareness, automotive industry. Category of the paper: Research paper.

The increase in competitiveness between production enterprises results from the contemporary conditions of the global economy. Technical progress, globalization and constantly increasing customer requirements contribute to the development of organizational and business management techniques. The improvement of production is currently accompanied by modern tools and methods of Lean Manufacturing concepts such as: SMED, 5S, Kaiznen, Kanban, Poka-Yoke etc. The SMED method plays an important role in improving production processes. It also affects the reduction of losses and wastage, increase of value for stakeholders (especially for customers), as well as better motivation for employees. Thanks to the SMED method, the production company is able to achieve greater efficiency and productivity, as well as the high quality of products and services provided.

Optimization of production logistics processes through the use of simulation tools brings a lot of benefits to a production company, and thus significantly reduces production costs. Increasing competition resulting from the use of production automation to increase productivity has increased the complexity of production systems that can only be analysed by simulation. Production logistics performs management functions such as planning, motivating, organising and controlling. It does not deal with technological processes, but the organisation of physical delivery and displacement of components and information in the system. An important feature of production logistics is combining supply logistics with distribution logistics. If the production logistics is properly organised, it provides access to all materials and components of a given product during the implementation of a specific order. Simulation tools ensure continuity and rhythm of production after it is started, as well as convenient conditions for using modern internal transport. The article presents the Flexsim simulation tool, which was used to improve production logistics in the studied enterprise. The programme also contributed as an opportunity to improve and shorten production cycles, maintain optimal inventories, select packaging and logistics units, as well as the ability to use automatic identification of raw materials, materials or semi-finished products.