In-service trainings given by fire fightersevaluation in terms of occupational health and safety(Erzurum provincial example)

In the Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331, employees working in workplaces that are classified as dangerous and very dangerous are prohibited from working without vocational training related to the work they carry out. Despite this, the firefighting profession, which is in the very dangerous workplace hazard class, is not included in the occupational groups that require vocational training published by the Vocational Qualifications Authority. This situation raises the question of how effective the in-service training that firefighters received for the protection of occupational accidents and diseases is on the prevention of occupational accidents. In Turkey, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Institutions by firefighter training programs opened, though, to the firemen who work in the fire department established within local governments are usually prepared profession by giving in-service training on issues specified in the Municipal Fire Regulations. In our study, it was investigated whether the in-service trainings given by the fire brigades are at a sufficient level to protect employees from occupational diseases that may occur as a result of occupational accidents and occupational exposures. In our sample of firefighters working in Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department, the data of the in-service training of the working group and the situation of hazard-induced occupational accidents that were the subject of training were collected using a questionnaire method. The data obtained were analyzed with the SPSS program. In the study, the in-service trainings that firefighters have received on the dangers and protection methods they usually encounter in fire places were evaluated and it was observed that some of the trainings had positive effects on the situation of hazard-induced occupational accidents, and some trainings were not effective. In addition, it has been determined that the occupational health and safety trainings that should be given to the employees do not have an effect on the situation of employees having an occupational accident. In the light of the findings obtained as a result of the research, it is recommended that in-service trainings given to firefighters should be revised and improved, and occupational health and safety trainings should be given on occupational risks as well as legislative issues.