The VII. Symposium on Problems and Solution Suggestions in Occupational Health and Safety in Turkey was held. Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Founding Rector of Üsküdar University, noted that as a society, crises are managed very well after they occur, and said, “We are weak in conducting risk analysis to prevent crises and taking precautions to avoid them.” Tarhan emphasized that OHS should be seen as part of quality management, and highlighted that OHS, which he stated does not receive academic recognition, thus fails to become a culture.
The VII. Symposium on Problems and Solution Suggestions in Occupational Health and Safety in Turkey, themed 'Technological and Innovative Applications in Occupational Safety and Emergencies,' organized by Üsküdar University, was held.
At the symposium held in the Avicenna Conference Hall of Üsküdar University NP Health Campus, studies on artificial intelligence and digitalization in Occupational Health and Safety in Turkey, problems in the sector, and solution suggestions were discussed. The symposium was opened by Üsküdar University Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan.
The equivalent of the 'do no harm' rule in occupational health and safety
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that nobody knows how important Occupational Health and Safety is in the global competition, adding that the issue of occupational health and safety exists in medicine, where there is a rule of 'first do no harm, first do not make sick,' and he said, 'The equivalent of the 'do no harm' rule in business life is to learn about occupational health and safety issues and be careful...'
It does not receive academic recognition...
Tarhan, stating that the importance of the OHS field is unfortunately not known, said, 'The absence of a specific associate professorship field and the lack of academic recognition prevent this area from becoming a culture.'
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, noting that as a society, crises are managed very well after they occur, said, 'We are weak in conducting risk analysis to prevent crises and taking precautions to avoid them. As a state, let's criticize ourselves. We extinguish fires very well when they break out, but we are weak in taking measures to prevent them.'
Occupational health and safety is part of quality management
Prof. Dr. Tarhan pointed out that 80-90 percent of occupational accidents are due to human error, and emphasized the importance of workplace managers showing sensitivity and having quality management.
Referring to EU standards, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said that certain quality standards should be aimed for.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, stating that they prioritize quality work in hospitals, also reminded that occupational health and safety is part of quality management.
The state is an institution to be trusted and sought refuge in, not feared or avoided…
Prof. Dr. Tarhan emphasized the importance of making quality a culture, and expressed the view that occupational accidents can be minimized through quality management.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, 'It should not be forgotten that the state is an institution to be trusted and sought refuge in, not one to be feared or avoided. The state is a facilitator and a guide, not intimidating and punitive.' He added that this would open the way for entrepreneurs, and that the biggest impediment to entrepreneurship is a culture of fear.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that people need to love dreaming to make progress in projects, and pointed out the difficulty of motivating 'intelligent but lazy' people, who are abundant in universities.
Over 1,800 deaths in 2022
Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Üsküdar University, drew attention to deaths in the field of occupational health and safety, stating that over 1,800 deaths occurred in workplace accidents in 2022.
Prof. Dr. Ertekin stated that the number of deaths in workplace accidents in Turkey is twice that of EU countries, and said, 'There are over 1,800 deaths, 60 of which are child deaths, 27 are children under 14, and nearly 90 are migrant deaths.'
We haven't fully defined the concept of what occupational health and safety is
Dr. Rüştü Uçan, Head of the Occupational Health and Safety Department at Üsküdar University, stated that the law enacted in 2012 was a milestone in the field of Occupational Health and Safety, and that when looking at workplace accidents, Turkey's death rate relative to its population is twice the EU average.
Uçan also stated that no positive progress has been made since 2012, and said, 'Why can't we reach the desired levels? Because we haven't fully defined the concept of what occupational health and safety is. '
Uçan, stating that there should be laboratories in university Occupational Health and Safety departments, drew attention to the importance of cooperation with industry, and also emphasized that associate degree and distance education in occupational health and safety should be abolished.
Almost all workplace accidents can be prevented with correct measures
Nevzat Ataklı, CEO of the Turkish technology company Trio Mobil, speaking at the symposium, stated that they aim to bring academia and the private sector together, and said that almost all workplace accidents can be prevented with correct measures.
Ataklı said, 'We are working to ensure that parents who leave home healthy in the morning return home healthy.'
Dr. Hasan Selçuk Selek, Vice President of TÜBİTAK/TEYDEB, also spoke at the symposium, reminding that TÜBİTAK provides support if academia and industrialists come with the right projects, and said, 'If we combat danger, we can prevent risks. Preventing accidents and risks should be the primary goal.'
Supervision is a double-edged sword
Mustafa Tülü, Assistant Expert at the General Directorate of Occupational Health and Safety, Ministry of Labor and Social Security, also stated in his speech that sometimes a lack of knowledge can turn good into bad, and that supervision is a double-edged sword.
Referring to the constitutional article 'Everyone has the right to life, to protect and develop their material and moral being,' Tülü stated that the government assigned itself the duty, saying, 'Protect employees, inspect workplaces.'
After the speeches, a group commemorative photo was taken.