Occupational health and safety regulations in Turkey

Under Turkey's Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331, employers are legally required to ensure safe working environments by appointing occupational safety specialists and workplace physicians. The necessity of these roles depends on the workplace's hazard class—categorized as less dangerous, dangerous, or very dangerous—and the total number of employees.

Safety specialists are classified into three levels: C-class for less dangerous workplaces, B-class for less dangerous and dangerous workplaces, and A-class for all hazard levels. The required service duration per employee varies by hazard class, ranging from 10 minutes per month in less dangerous settings to 20 minutes in very dangerous environments.

To qualify as a specialist, individuals must hold specific certifications from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. Eligible candidates include graduates of engineering and architecture, technical staff such as chemists and biologists, and graduates of specialized occupational health and safety programs. Beyond mere legal compliance, experts focus on developing a safety culture through risk assessments, emergency planning, and employee training to prevent accidents before they occur.