The applicability and benefits of audible warning signs for preventing occupational accidents and diseases in vocational and technical anatolian high schools

Vocational and Technical Anatolian High Schools have different education areas and usually more than one building. A wide variety of machinery and equipment are used in workshops where students receive practical vocational training. The use of this machinery and equipment often involves mechanical, electrical and physical hazards. As a result of the work carried out without taking the necessary precautions and following the rules, users may be exposed to occupational accidents or occupational diseases caused by these hazards. In the occurrence of occupational accidents and occupational diseases, the fact that the employees or students who use the machinery and equipment do not pay due attention to the signboards has an important share. This thesis examines the signboards associated with the machinery and equipment used in the workshops of a Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School located in Bingöl. A risk assessment was conducted for potential work activities performed without taking these signboards into account, utilizing the Fine-Kinney method. Within the scope of the study, conventional signboards were replaced with newly designed and manufactured audible signboards. These signboards are equipped with sensors that detect the movements of individuals approaching the machinery or equipment prior to operation, and they deliver the necessary warnings and alerts in audible form. To evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention, the risk assessment was repeated after the implementation of the audible signboards. The results demonstrated a significant decrease in risk scores, as the audible signboards successfully communicated essential safety instructions—such as the required protective equipment and safety rules—to users before starting their work. In addition to mitigating risks, the use of audible signboards is expected to foster the development of a self-monitoring mechanism among users, thereby promoting a more safety-conscious working environment.