Occupational Health and Safety (OHS): Basic Rules for Employee Safety and Productive Working Environments

Share:

What is Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)?

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) refers to the set of legal, technical, and organizational measures designed to ensure that employees work in a healthy and safe environment. It is crucial for preventing potential hazards in workplaces, protecting employees from occupational accidents and diseases, ensuring businesses comply with legal obligations, and improving overall working conditions. OHS practices aim to safeguard employees' physical and mental well-being while also ensuring business continuity. Additionally, these practices enhance productivity, minimize economic losses for businesses, and create a sustainable working environment.

Importance of Occupational Health and Safety

OHS practices are vital for minimizing workplace accidents, protecting employees' health, and ensuring business continuity. Workplace accidents can lead to severe injuries, permanent disabilities, and even fatalities, while occupational diseases can negatively impact employees' long-term health.

Therefore, employers must take necessary safety precautions, raise awareness among employees about potential risks, and promote a safety culture. Regular risk assessments should be conducted to identify hazardous areas and implement appropriate measures. Additionally, factors such as workplace ergonomics, hygiene, and psychosocial risks should be considered to ensure employees' health is optimally protected.

Effectively implementing OHS practices is not only a legal obligation but also enhances employee motivation, increases productivity, and prevents financial losses for businesses, providing long-term economic benefits.

Objectives of Occupational Health and Safety

The primary objectives of occupational health and safety practices include:

• Protecting employees' health and safety

• Preventing workplace accidents and occupational diseases

• Increasing productivity and ensuring employee satisfaction

• Creating a safer working environment

• Complying with legal obligations and avoiding legal issues

General Occupational Health and Safety Rules

The key OHS rules implemented in workplaces include:

• Conducting risk assessments

• Providing OHS training to employees

• Ensuring the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Monitoring the safe use of machinery and equipment

• Developing emergency response plans and conducting drills

• Conducting periodic health check-ups

Causes of Workplace Accidents

Workplace accidents can generally be categorized into two groups:

Hazardous Conditions:

• Machinery and equipment failures

• Lack of protective equipment

• Unsafe working environments (insufficient lighting, poor ventilation, ergonomic issues)

• High-risk areas with falling hazards

Unsafe Behaviors:

• Lack of training

• Failure to follow safety regulations

• Carelessness and lack of work discipline

• Not using protective equipment

Consequences of Workplace Accidents

Workplace accidents can result in serious losses for both employees and businesses. These losses can be classified as follows:

• Direct Losses: Injuries, fatalities, medical expenses, and disability compensations

• Indirect Losses: Productivity loss, damage to workplace reputation, psychological effects

• Production Loss: Errors in production, time loss, and order cancellations

Preventive Measures in Occupational Health and Safety

To ensure a safe and healthy working environment, the following measures must be carefully implemented:

Risk Analysis and Assessment: Identifying existing and potential hazards in the workplace, evaluating associated risks, and implementing preventive measures. Employers should regularly conduct risk assessments to eliminate or minimize hazards.

Training and Awareness: Employees should receive regular OHS training, covering topics such as fire safety, emergency response procedures, and the safe use of work equipment. Additionally, employees should be educated on how to take protective measures against potential workplace accidents.

Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Employees should be provided with appropriate protective gear against workplace hazards, and its use should be encouraged. For example, gloves and masks should be mandatory for workers handling chemicals, while helmets and safety harnesses should be required on construction sites.

Emergency Response Plans: Detailed evacuation and intervention plans should be prepared for emergencies such as fires, earthquakes, gas leaks, and power outages. These plans should be supported by regular drills to ensure employees are well-prepared for emergencies.

Inspection, Monitoring, and Continuous Improvement: The effectiveness of OHS measures in the workplace should be regularly reviewed, and any deficiencies should be addressed. Employers should take employee feedback into account and continuously improve safety procedures. Inspections conducted by occupational safety experts and workplace doctors are crucial for ensuring compliance with OHS standards.

Occupational Health and Safety Law and Its Scope

Workplace Accidents and Occupational Diseases

Workplace accidents and occupational diseases are common in workplaces where OHS is not effectively implemented. Workplace accidents occur suddenly, such as falls, machinery entrapment, and electric shocks, while occupational diseases develop over time due to prolonged exposure to hazardous conditions. For example, a worker exposed to chemicals for an extended period may develop respiratory problems. To prevent such incidents, workplaces should implement proper engineering solutions, provide employee training, and conduct regular health check-ups.

The Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331 covers all workplaces in the public and private sectors. However, domestic workers and self-employed individuals are not included in this scope.

Workplace Accident Reporting

When a workplace accident occurs, employers are required to report the incident to the Social Security Institution (SGK) within three business days.

Examples of Occupational Diseases:

Occupational diseases are diseases that employees contract due to harmful factors in the work environment.

• Noise-induced hearing loss

• Poisoning caused by chemical substances

• Musculoskeletal disorders due to repetitive movements

Which Workplaces Are Required to Implement OHS?

In Turkey, occupational health and safety services are mandatory for all workplaces. However, the scope of these services varies based on the workplace’s sector, number of employees, and risk category.

Workplaces classified as hazardous or highly hazardous and employing more than 50 workers must have an occupational safety expert, workplace doctor, and other health personnel. Workplaces classified as low-risk and employing fewer than 50 workers must periodically receive OHS services to fulfill legal obligations.

Both public and private sector organizations are required to implement OHS measures. The obligation to employ occupational safety experts and workplace doctors based on workplace risk classification ensures employees work in a safe environment. Regulations under the OHS Law aim to protect workers' health and safety while minimizing workplace accidents and occupational diseases.

Assignment of Occupational Safety Specialists

The Occupational Health and Safety Law mandates that businesses assign occupational safety specialists or obtain services from a Common Health and Safety Unit (OSGB). In this context, the required service durations based on the hazard classification of the business are as follows:

Businesses in the low-risk category: At least 10 minutes of service must be provided per employee each month. Accordingly, a business with 100 employees must employ one full-time occupational safety specialist or receive services from an OSGB.

Businesses in the hazardous category: At least 20 minutes of service must be provided per employee each month. A business with 1,000 employees must employ two full-time occupational safety specialists or receive services from an OSGB.

Businesses in the highly hazardous category: At least 40 minutes of service must be provided per employee each month. A business with 1,000 employees must employ four full-time occupational safety specialists or receive services from an OSGB.

Assignment of Workplace Physicians

The law clearly stipulates the requirement for businesses to employ a workplace physician or obtain services from an OSGB. The required service durations based on the number of employees and the hazard classification are as follows:

Businesses in the low-risk category: At least 5 minutes of service must be provided per employee each month. A business with 2,000 employees must employ one full-time workplace physician or receive services from an OSGB.

Businesses in the hazardous category: At least 10 minutes of service must be provided per employee each month. A business with 2,000 employees must employ two full-time workplace physicians or receive services from an OSGB.

Businesses in the highly hazardous category: At least 15 minutes of service must be provided per employee each month. A business with 2,000 employees must employ four full-time workplace physicians or receive services from an OSGB.

Conclusion

Occupational health and safety is not only a legal obligation but also a critical issue that protects employees' lives. The measures taken in workplaces ensure the safety and future of both employees and businesses. Adopting a strong OHS culture, providing regular training, and conducting continuous risk assessments are key factors in creating a safer work environment. Every investment in occupational health and safety yields significant benefits both individually and institutionally.