Act No. 6331 is the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Turkey, which was enacted in 2012 to improve the working conditions and protect the health and safety of workers. It aims to prevent occupational accidents, diseases and work-related health problems and to provide a safe and healthy working environment.
The Act sets out the responsibilities of employers, workers and other stakeholders in relation to occupational health and safety (OHS). Employers are responsible for the safety of their employees in the workplace, including the provision of necessary equipment and training for workers. Workers are responsible for following safety procedures and using the equipment provided.
The Act also provisions establishment of an Occupational Health and Safety Council in each workplace within the scope, which is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Act, providing advice and guidance to employers and employees, and carrying out inspections of workplaces to ensure compliance with the Act.
The Act covers a wide range of areas, including the identification and assessment of risks, the provision of personal protective equipment, the management of hazardous substances, the management of emergency situations, and the reporting of occupational accidents and diseases.
In line with the Act, employers are required to notify the authorities about the work accidents that happen in the workplace, and to provide workers with the necessary training and information to prevent accidents and diseases.
In the Turkish OHS System, occupational physicians and occupational safety experts are the main professionals responsible for execution of OHS services.
An occupational physician in the context of the Turkish Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) system is a medical doctor who specializes in the prevention and management of work-related illnesses and injuries. They are responsible for providing medical examinations and evaluations to employees, as well as providing advice and guidance to employers on how to improve the health and safety of their workforce.
On the other hand, an occupational safety expert, in the context of the Turkish OHS system, is a professional who has specialized knowledge and skills in the identification, assessment, and control of workplace hazards. They are responsible for conducting risk assessments, developing and implementing safety programs, and providing training and education to employees and employers on how to prevent accidents and injuries in the workplace.
Overall, the Occupational Health and Safety Act No. 6331 of Turkey is the main law of the OHS in Turkey in line with the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) standards and guidelines, and it is a comprehensive regulation that aims to ensure the Occupational Health and Safety of the workers in Turkey.
