Evaluation of the level of awareness about occupational health and safety (OHS) committees of hospital employees

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the awareness level of employees about occupational health and safety (OHS) board in a hospital and characteristics of their working life. This descriptive type research conducted between 01.01.2016 and 01.04.2018. The study variables consist of 11 awareness questions about the working life characteristics of the employees, duties and responsibilities of OHS boards. Data about the variables were collected via self-reported questionnaires. In the research, 260 out of 333 employees were reached (78%). The mean age of the study group was 39.6 ± 8.5. It was determined that 85.3% of the employees had been trained about OHS Board. However, it was found that, the mean score of 11 questions on awareness level of employees about OHS Board and its duties was only 2.4 ± 2.9. When this score was ranked according to the profession, the order from higher to lower was as follows: Physicists, Biologist, Nurse, Chemist, Technician, Mailman, Physician, Engineer, Secretary and Technician. Awareness level about the OHS Board was found to be associated with in-service trainingand experience of near-miss accidents. Also usage of OHS services was also found to be associated with the awareness level of OHS board. In increasing the awareness level of the employees OHS Board, usage of OHS unit may also play a role in raising awareness. To have awareness about OHS Board and increasing the awareness about OHS procedures would both increase the functionality of the board and also enable employees to contribute to OHS services. Keywords: Occupational health and safety, awareness, OHS management, OHS Committee/Board