Dear Member,

In the letter dated 04.02.2025 and numbered 1300, sent to our Chamber from the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye,

In the informative announcement made by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, based on the misinformation in some press and other communication channels;

Article 6 of the Occupational Health and Safety Law, which determines the obligations of employers to provide occupational health and safety services, entered into force on January 1, 2025, for all public and workplaces with fewer than 50 employees and classified as low-hazard.

In this context, as stated in Article 6 of the Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331, employers or employer representatives of workplaces with less than 50 employees and in the low-hazard class may fulfill this obligation by using one or more of the methods listed below, which they may determine at their own discretion.

These are;

1. By appointing an occupational safety specialist or workplace physician among the employees,

2. By receiving all or part of the service from joint health and safety units or ÇASMERs,

3. Undertaking the OHS services personally, if he/she has the specified qualifications and the necessary documents,

4. Provided that the person completes the training announced by the Ministry, he/she can personally undertake and carry out occupational health and safety services, excluding pre-employment and periodic examinations and tests, without the requirement to appoint an occupational safety specialist and workplace physician.

5. Therefore, workplaces with less than 50 employees and low-hazardous conditions can choose the 4th option and carry out OHS services, excluding pre-employment, periodic examinations and tests, without appointing an occupational safety specialist or workplace physician, provided that they complete the training announced by the Ministry.

In order to perform this duty, it will be sufficient to successfully complete the "Employer or Employer Representative Training on the Execution of Occupational Health and Safety Services" of the Ministry, Public Institutions and Universities.

It has been stated that the claim that the Ministry will automatically and collectively impose fines on the workplaces in question on 31.01.2025, as stated in some press and other communication channels, does not reflect the truth.

Best regards.