Is every accident that happens in the workplace with high heels a 'work accident'?

Pointing out that there is a dress code within the scope of the legislation, experts say that there is no provision regarding high heels, where it is indicated that 'sandals are not worn'.

Noting that when women experience an accident at work with high heels, regardless of how many centimeters their heels are, it is defined as a 'work accident'. Prof. Nuri Bingöl said that "If you have an accident at work for any reason, in any way, this is a work accident."

Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Vice Dean, Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl evaluated the issue of whether situations such as falling and injury with high heels in the workplace should be counted as work accidents.

"The fact that he is at work means that it is an accident at work..."

Drawing attention to the fact that some organizations have dress codes that they determine according to themselves, Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl stated that "The definition of work accident is mentioned in two laws. Within the scope of our legislation, one is the Occupational Safety Law No. 6331 and the other is the SSI Law No. 5510. It has a long name, but I said it to be brief. Here, they both start like this; it is stated that 'what happens in the workplace and what happens because of the conduct of the business'. The SSI law details this a little more, but the fact that it is at work means that it is a work accident, there is no need to look for anything else."

"There is no provision for high heels"

Clarifying the issue of whether heels comply with the dress code, Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl said that "There is a dress code within the scope of the legislation. It is stated that sandals are not worn; however, there is no provision regarding high heels. However, of course, in some jobs, it may be preferable to wear some heels to look presentable. Of course, when you look at it from the point of view of occupational health, physical health and orthopedic, it can lead to other problems."

Is an accident at work with high heels a 'work accident'?

Stating that an accident in the workplace with high-heeled shoes is a 'work accident', Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl expressed that "In a case in which I was also an expert witness, there was a situation regarding the compensation of a person who slipped to reach the elevator and broke their leg while getting on the elevator. As long as it is at work, such things pose risks, and because they pose risks, and they are work accidents. Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate the risks associated with this, the problem here may be the height of the heel rather than the heel."

"Heels with pointed tips increase the risk of work accidents"

Stating that men also wear 2-5.5 cm heels in daily life, Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl said that "These are also good for orthopedic foot health, but as the heel rises, the risk increases. It may be necessary to carry out a risk assessment. In other words, heels that do not exceed 3.5-4 centimeters... Heels that will not cause problems... Heels with pointed tips increase the risk of work accidents."

"There should be a non-slip floor in the workplace, and high heels can be worn"

Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl noted that when women experience an accident at work with high heels, no matter how many centimeters their heels are, this is defined as a work accident and stated that "If you have an accident at work for any reason, in any way, this is a work accident. If it is because of high heels, it is high heels. High-heeled shoes create more risks to this, increasing the number of possibilities. Therefore, when we evaluate the business about it, there must be a non-slip floor so that high heels can be worn. The environments we usually see, let me give an example from the hotel, the floors are sparkling, polished marbles. There is already a slippery floor here, and the risk increases when wearing high heels. Therefore, if someone who does not wear high heels slips and falls and breaks their foot, this is also a work accident, but wearing high heels significantly increases this risk."

"Every accident in the workplace is a work accident"

Pointing out that a workplace can set the limit of wearing high heels, Asst. Prof. Nuri Bingöl made the following remarks: "It can be said that it should not exceed 5-6 centimeters because it poses a risk in terms of occupational health and safety. While we work in some workplaces, we give shoes to employees on the basis of personal user equipment related to occupational safety. For example, steel toe shoes are worn in construction, and an electrician is given 6 thick insulated electrically proof shoes. Now, if a normal receptionist or announcer is told to wear high heels, it is necessary to measure and evaluate the risk of this. If our ground is not slippery, if the chance of falling is a little small, maybe it could be up to 6 centimeters, 7 centimeters. In the regulations, the risk of accidents is reduced. Otherwise, every accident that happens in the workplace is a work accident."

 

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)