Investigation of workplace accidents in the chemical industry

This study aims to evaluate the general state of occupational health and safety in the chemical industry in Turkey. Within the framework of the NACE Rev.2 sector classification, the development of four sub-sectors - manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products, manufacture of chemicals and chemical products, manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations, and manufacture of rubber and plastic products - was examined between the years 2008 and 2021. In this context, the number of workplaces, the total number of insured employees, the number of occupational accidents, and the number of fatal accidents were analyzed for each sector on a yearly basis. The data used in this study were obtained from the annual statistical reports of the Social Security Institution (SGK). Based on these data, growth or decline rates in the number of workplaces and employees were calculated by sector, and the trends in occupational and fatal accidents were examined over the years. In addition, the causes of occupational accidents were discussed in line with the literature through the 4M approach (man, machine, media, management). The findings highlight the frequency and severity of occupational accidents in the chemical industry and emphasize the necessity of implementing occupational health and safety measures in a more systematic and effective manner. Accordingly, the study aims to contribute to the identification of structural problems in the sector and the development of recommendations that will guide future policies and practices.