A New Era Begins for 1 Million Workplaces! A new period begins tomorrow for small businesses. Workplaces operating in low-risk sectors with fewer than 50 employees will now be required to provide occupational health and safety services. Unless new regulations are introduced, law firms, tailors, greengrocers, markets and even apartment staff with fewer than 50 employees will fall within this scope. Health-related follow-ups can be handled through public health institutions or family physicians.
The new occupational safety requirements for small businesses take effect on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. Employers in low-risk sectors with under 50 employees will be obliged to ensure occupational health and safety services. Even workplaces with a single employee must provide occupational health and safety coverage. This can be achieved either by contracting services from professionals or by the employer receiving proper training.
No Degree Required for Training
No Degree Required for Training. An employer who completes the required training may deliver services other than medical surveillance within the workplace. Employers or employer representatives may attend training offered by institutions that have signed a protocol with the Directorate General of Occupational Health and Safety, by authorized organizations, or by universities. These training programs do not require any academic degree; anyone aged 18 or older may participate. Obtaining an e-certificate after training will be sufficient. Health-related procedures can be followed through public health institutions or by family physicians. Employers who do not complete the training must contract occupational health and safety experts to provide the necessary services.
TESK (Confederation of Turkish Tradesmen and Craftsmen) President Bendevi Palandöken stated that, after the pandemic, the new obligation would be burdensome for many and that roughly 1 million employers fall under this requirement. He said they request a one-year postponement because this obligation represents an additional cost. He emphasized that, under current conditions, many cannot afford to retain occupational safety experts and called for clarity and the hope that an extension will be granted.
Previously Postponed Twice
Previously Postponed Twice. The Occupational Health and Safety Law enacted in 2012 initially scheduled the obligations for low-risk workplaces with fewer than 50 employees to begin on July 1, 2016. That date was later moved to 2017, and a subsequent omnibus law postponed the obligation until July 1, 2020.
Under Law No. 6331 on Occupational Health and Safety, workplaces are classified into three risk levels: low risk, medium risk and high risk. The law phased in requirements for workplaces to employ occupational safety experts, workplace physicians and other health personnel according to their risk class. The legal obligation for low-risk workplaces with fewer than 50 employees had been deferred until July 1, 2020. For those workplaces, the legal postponement ends tomorrow.