Poka Yoke method in error prevention: A business practice in terms of occupational health and safety

Even in enterprises that have well planned production systems and have a solid technological infrastructure, some errors may occur due to various reasons. Following the detection of possible errors that may arise due to the competition of businesses with each other, measures should be taken immediately and the re-emergence of the error should be minimized. It is possible to classify the errors in two ways as errors that affect product quality and errors that may pose a threat to occupational health and safety. When we think in terms of occupational health and safety, it can be stated that mistakes can cause very serious losses that can endanger human health. For this reason, businesses need to take the necessary measures to prevent mistakes and create a safe and healthy working environment. At this point, the concept of poka yoke, which is used as an error prevention technique, can be used as an important tool for businesses. In this study, a research was carried out to prevent errors in terms of occupational health and safety in the bolt factory operating in Malatya Organized Industry. Within the framework of the research, primarily, an examination was made for the determination of occupational accidents in the enterprise. In the examination, accident reports, corrective and preventive action reports were taken into consideration and observations were made within the enterprise. Within the framework of the data obtained, crime scene investigations were carried out for the accidents that are likely to occur again. The poka yoke method was used to prevent mistakes. By using the fixed value method, alarm (warning) method, relationship method, movement steps method and control method, which are the most important tools of the poka yoke method, solutions to prevent errors are produced. In addition, the entire implementation process is modeled in a format that can be applied by all businesses. Keywords: Occupational Health and Safety, Occupational Accidents, Poka Yoke