Occupational health and safety culturalqualification in the construction sector: The case ofKonya

In the thesis study, the technical, legal and socio-economic competence of the concept of occupational health and safety in Turkey and its place in education were examined. This review has been focused on the construction sector. Occupational accidents and occupational diseases in the construction sector were examined, and it was determined that there was no decrease in the accidents in the construction sector with the regulations made after the OHS Law No. 6331. The fact that 95% of these accidents are human-induced shows that the safety culture in the society has not developed. Occupational health and safety culture level was measured with a survey study conducted with 328 participants in the construction sector of Konya. The sub-dimensions of this scale, general occupational safety awareness, OHS education-communication, and the relationship between risk perception and different variables were examined. According to the results, general occupational safety awareness and OHS education-communication levels were determined by marital status, knowing legal rights, age group, education, etc. It turned out to be related to many parameters. Risk perception was high in general of the participants. However, the low level of safety culture negatively affects risk perception awareness. A significant difference was observed in the analysis performed to measure the relationship between the sub-dimensions in the scale used. In other words, it can be said that occupational safety awareness and risk perception improve in an individual with an increased level of OHS education and communication. The results obtained from the survey study were enriched with the qualitative study. It has been concluded that the safety culture can only be brought to the society through trainings. Considering that the analysis studies are examined according to many factors, it is thought that the study will contribute to the literature.