How Much Will Safety Specialist Salaries Be in 2024?

Occupational safety specialist is a profession responsible for improving workplace health and safety conditions, preventing work accidents and occupational diseases, and providing consultancy and training to employers and employees on occupational safety.

Occupational safety specialists are classified into three categories: A, B, and C. To become an occupational safety specialist, candidates must meet specific requirements and pass exams. Salaries for occupational safety specialists vary according to class, industry, workplace size, experience and education.

WHAT IS AN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY SPECIALIST?

An occupational safety specialist works within the framework of the Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331 and related regulations. Their duties include performing workplace risk assessments, preparing emergency response plans, participating in safety committees, investigating and reporting work accidents and occupational diseases, taking preventive measures, inspecting safety equipment, auditing workplaces and promoting a culture of workplace safety.

HOW TO BECOME AN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY SPECIALIST?

To become an occupational safety specialist applicants must meet certain criteria and pass required exams. The general steps are:

1. Candidates should choose which class to pursue: A, B or C. An A-class specialist can work in all types of workplaces. B-class specialists can work in hazardous and moderately hazardous workplaces. C-class specialists are limited to low-hazard workplaces.
2. Complete occupational safety training at institutions authorized by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. Training duration is typically 180 hours for A class, 120 hours for B class and 80 hours for C class. Candidates must pass the institution’s final exam.
3. Take the occupational safety specialist exam administered by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. The exam usually includes written and oral stages. The written exam covers core topics such as legislation, risk assessment, work accidents and occupational diseases, occupational health and safety management, and emergency management. The oral exam evaluates the candidate’s knowledge, skills, competencies and professional attitude. Successful candidates receive the occupational safety specialist certificate.

Who Can Become an Occupational Safety Specialist?

The basic requirements to become an occupational safety specialist include:

1. Being a Turkish citizen.
2. Holding at least a bachelor’s degree (unless lower education is allowed by class requirements).
3. Not being deprived of public rights.
4. Having no unresolved military obligations.
5. Being medically fit to perform occupational safety responsibilities.
6. Having no criminal record that prevents certification.
7. Completing the required occupational safety training.
8. Passing the occupational safety specialist exam.

WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF AN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY SPECIALIST?

Duties vary by class (A, B and C). Common responsibilities include:

Responsibilities of an A-Class Occupational Safety Specialist

An A-class specialist’s duties typically include:

1. Providing occupational health and safety services at all types of workplaces.
2. Conducting or commissioning workplace risk assessments.
3. Preparing or overseeing the preparation of emergency response plans.
4. Participating in safety committees and preparing reports.
5. Investigating and reporting work accidents and occupational diseases, and implementing preventive measures.
6. Checking or arranging checks of safety equipment.
7. Inspecting or arranging inspections of workplaces.
8. Advising and training employers and employees on safety practices.
9. Promoting and developing a culture of workplace safety.
10. Ensuring compliance with occupational health and safety legislation.

Responsibilities of a B-Class Occupational Safety Specialist

A B-class specialist’s duties generally include:

1. Providing occupational health and safety services in hazardous and moderately hazardous workplaces.
2. Investigating and reporting work accidents and occupational diseases and taking preventive measures.
3. Checking or ensuring the inspection of safety equipment.
4. Inspecting or arranging inspections of workplaces.
5. Advising and training employers and employees on safety matters.
6. Promoting and strengthening workplace safety culture.
7. Conducting or arranging workplace risk assessments.
8. Preparing or supervising emergency response plans.
9. Participating in safety committees and preparing reports.
10. Acting in accordance with occupational health and safety legislation.

Responsibilities of a C-Class Occupational Safety Specialist

A C-class specialist’s duties typically include:

1. Providing occupational health and safety services only in low-hazard workplaces.
2. Advising and training employers and employees on occupational safety.
3. Promoting and developing a culture of safety at work.
4. Ensuring compliance with relevant occupational health and safety regulations.
5. Conducting or arranging workplace risk assessments.
6. Preparing or supervising emergency response plans.
7. Participating in safety committees and preparing reports.
8. Investigating, reporting and implementing measures to prevent work accidents and occupational diseases.
9. Checking or arranging checks of safety equipment.
10. Inspecting or coordinating inspections of workplaces.

2024 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY SPECIALIST SALARIES

Salaries for occupational safety specialists differ between private and public sectors and depend on class, experience, workplace size and industry.

How Much Do A-Class Occupational Safety Specialists Earn?

An A-class specialist can serve in very hazardous workplaces. Becoming an A-class specialist typically requires at least a bachelor’s degree and advanced theoretical and practical training.

A-class salaries generally range around 45,000 TL to 85,000 TL, depending on employer, experience and additional benefits.

How Much Do B-Class Occupational Safety Specialists Earn?

A B-class specialist works in hazardous and very hazardous workplaces and usually requires at least an associate degree and relevant training hours. B-class specialists typically work in medium-sized and hazardous operations.

B-class salaries are usually lower than A-class but higher than C-class. B-class salary ranges are approximately 35,000 TL to 65,000 TL, varying with sector, experience and workplace.

How Much Do C-Class Occupational Safety Specialists Earn?

A C-class specialist serves in low-hazard workplaces and generally requires at least a high school diploma plus basic training hours.

C-class specialists often work in small-scale, low-risk businesses and earn less than A and B classes. In 2024, C-class salaries typically range from about 24,000 TL to 45,000 TL, subject to variations by sector, employer, experience and additional payments.

WHAT ARE PUBLIC SECTOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY SPECIALIST SALARIES?

Public sector occupational safety specialists serve in state institutions to improve employee health and safety and prevent work accidents and occupational diseases. To work in the public sector, candidates usually need the same certification as in the private sector and must also meet public recruitment conditions, including KPSS scores and an interview where required.

Public sector positions typically offer more regular and stable salaries and associated social benefits. In 2024, public sector occupational safety specialist salaries average around 49,000 TL, though actual pay varies by institution, position, grade and supplementary payments.

This article summarized details about occupational safety specialist salaries in 2024 for both private and public sectors. If you have questions, comments or suggestions, please share them in the comments section.