Risk assessment, training, PPE and subcontractor management: the fundamentals of site safety.
A construction site is among the workplaces with the highest risk of accidents. Since the construction sector ranks near the top for fatal workplace accidents in Türkiye, a contractor's occupational health and safety (OHS) responsibilities are both a legal and a human obligation.
Legal framework
Law No. 6331 on Occupational Health and Safety and the Regulation on Occupational Health and Safety in Construction Works regulate the employer's duty to protect employees from accidents and occupational diseases. In construction works an OHS plan is prepared, a coordinator is assigned and the work of all subcontractors is carried out according to this plan.
Core obligations of the contractor
- Carrying out and keeping risk assessments up to date
- Assigning an OHS specialist and workplace physician (according to hazard class)
- Giving employees OHS training before they start work
- Providing personal protective equipment (helmet, vest, shoes, harness) and monitoring its use
- Having work equipment inspected periodically
The most common risks
Falls from height, machine strikes, collapse, electric shock and falling objects are the main causes of fatal accidents on sites. Guardrail, net and harness for work at height, slope and shoring checks in excavation and pedestrian-vehicle segregation around machines are the fundamental measures to control these risks.
Safety culture
OHS is the responsibility of every employee, not just the specialist. Daily toolbox meetings, near-miss reporting and systems that reward safe behaviour are proven ways of reducing accidents. On our projects we hold a 10-minute safety briefing every morning before the shift.
Subcontractor management
The main contractor is jointly responsible for the safety of subcontractors' employees too. Subcontractors' OHS records and training should therefore be checked before contracting, with regular checks on site.
This article is general information; for current obligations in the legislation, consult an authorised OHS specialist and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security resources.
Measurable targets
OHS performance should be monitored with measurable indicators: lost-time injury frequency rate, number of near-miss reports, training hours and closure time of audit findings. We present these indicators to the board every month and compare them across projects.
Emergency preparedness
Every site should have an emergency plan, fire and evacuation drills, a first-aid team and a defined travel time to the nearest medical facility. In remote areas an ambulance and first-response equipment are kept ready on site.