Evaluation of safety trends in construction, mining and transportation sectors in Turkey

Abstract

SUMMARY: Production processes in construction, mining and transportation involves high risks of occupational accidents all over the world. In 2014, 25.6% of the total accidents and 65% of fatal accidents occured in these three sectors in Turkey. According to the Eurostat data, in 2014, 20% of all work-related accidents and 38% of fatal accidents have occurred in these sectors in EU. The fatality rates in Turkey are very high compared to EU countries. In Turkey, these sectors have high accident risks due to its production processes, use of low-tech, negative conditions and labor-intensive characteristics. Production machines are old, and protective-preventive services are inadequate. Especially in the construction sector, unregistered labor and subcontracting is widespread. Labor inspection is inadequate. In EU accession process, legislative works done in the field of health and safety in Turkey in recent years have not been enough. New regulations were introduced related to protective-preventive services, risk assessment, information and education workers. Nevertheless, occupational accidents has not decreased at the desired level. This paper contains a comperative and statistical analysis of accidents in coal mining, construction and transportation sectors in Turkey and EU. The official statistics data are used in the EU and Turkey. To prevent accidents, action plans must be prepared for each of the three sectors. Practices must be determined and followed strictly within the frame of these action plans.