Basic Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Training is a legal requirement that all employers are obliged to provide to their employees under Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331 and the "Regulation on the Procedures and Principles of Occupational Health and Safety Training for Employees." If such training is not provided, the employer's liability increases, and legal and administrative consequences may arise in the event of an occupational accident. Training is planned as 8, 12, or 16 class hours depending on the hazard class of the workplace.
OHS Organization in the Workplace
- OHS Specialist: The qualified person responsible for identifying and preventing workplace risks and for managing OHS processes.
- Workplace Physician: The appointment of a workplace physician is mandatory in all workplaces, regardless of hazard class.
- Other Healthcare Personnel: The appointment of other healthcare personnel is mandatory in workplaces in the very hazardous class with 10 or more employees.
- OHS Board: A corporate body that convenes periodically according to the hazard class, makes occupational health and safety decisions, and keeps records of them.
Training Durations by Hazard Class
| Workplace Class | Class Hours | Renewal Period | Sector Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Hazard | 8 class hours | 3 years | Office, retail, services |
| Hazardous | 12 class hours | 2 years | Manufacturing, automotive, food |
| Very Hazardous | 16 class hours | Annually | Construction, mining, chemicals |
Training Curriculum
The mandatory OHS training topics defined by the Ministry are as follows:
- General topics: The concept of occupational health and safety, employees' rights and responsibilities, legal obligations.
- Health topics: Occupational diseases, biological and psychosocial risks, first aid and personal health protection.
- Technical topics: Chemical, physical, and ergonomic risks, safe working with machinery, electrical hazards, fire safety, emergency management, use of personal protective equipment, and safe use of work equipment.
Training Outcomes
- Understanding the basic concepts of OHS
- Increasing hazard and risk awareness
- Recognizing workplace-specific risks
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Responding correctly to emergencies
- Prevention of occupational accidents
- Basic first aid awareness
- Ergonomic working habits
Effective OHS training is the most direct way to reduce occupational accidents. An informed employee is the strongest safety barrier in the workplace.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happens if an occupational accident occurs without training having been provided?
The employer is deemed not to have taken the necessary occupational health and safety measures, and legal liability may arise.
- In which language can the training be delivered?
It is essential that training be delivered in a language the employees understand. In workplaces with foreign employees, interpreter support must be provided.
- How is the hazard class determined?
It is automatically determined by the Ministry based on the workplace's NACE code.