Opinions of managers and teachers working in vocational and technical Anatolian high school affiliated with the Ministry of National Education on occupational health and safety practices: The example of Ağrı province

Schools today not only serve as institutions for imparting knowledge and skills to students but also play a critical role in fostering their holistic development, preparing them for future careers, and facilitating social interactions among administrators, teachers, students, and other staff. However, these environments are also prone to occupational accidents. This shift in the mission of schools has introduced new responsibilities. Beyond academic achievement, society and other school stakeholders have developed additional expectations from schools, with health and safety being paramount. One of the primary prerequisites for establishing an effective educational environment is the implementation of health measures and the assurance of safety in school settings. When examining different school types, it is evident that nearly half of occupational accidents occur in vocational education institutions. The high incidence of accidents has led to these schools being classified as high-risk environments. Consequently, the implementation of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) measures in Vocational and Technical Anatolian High Schools (MTAL) is of vital importance. This study aims to evaluate the OHS performance of administrators and teachers in Vocational and Technical Anatolian High Schools affiliated with the Ministry of National Education in Ağrı province. The research was conducted using a quantitative approach, employing a survey design and convenience sampling. A 40-item School OHS Performance Scale was administered to collect data on the perspectives of school administrators and teachers regarding OHS practices in their schools, with comparisons made based on demographic variables. The study examined the OHS performance of administrators and teachers from various perspectives, including gender, educational level, age, school type, and OHS training status. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS statistical software. Independent t-tests were used to analyze data related to gender, educational level, and OHS training status, while one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed for age-related data. The Bonferroni test was applied to identify the specific group causing significant differences in age-related findings. Additionally, Cronbach's Alpha was calculated to assess the reliability of the scale and its dimensions. Based on the findings, solutions and recommendations for improvement were proposed.