With industrialization, technological developments, diversification of production processes, and the structural transformation of working life in the world and our country, the concept of occupational health and safety is gaining more importance every day. Globalization, flexible working models, new forms of employment, and increasing work intensity have made it mandatory to prevent workplace accidents and occupational diseases, protect employee health, and create safe working environments. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), millions of workers around the world lose their lives or face permanent health issues each year due to workplace accidents and occupational diseases. Similarly, in Turkey, workplace accidents and occupational diseases are among the most significant issues in working life. This situation increases the need for qualified human resources trained in the field of occupational health and safety every day.
Identifying, assessing, and controlling risks in working life; protecting the health and safety of employees; and preventing workplace accidents and occupational diseases can only be achieved through the employment of technical personnel with knowledge, skills, and competence in this field. With the enactment of the Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331, it has become mandatory to expand occupational health and safety services in the public and private sectors, leading to a rapid increase in the need for intermediate personnel to work in the field of occupational safety. The effective and sustainable implementation of occupational health and safety services has made the need for technical personnel who can work in collaboration with different disciplines and have developed practical skills even more apparent.
In light of these requirements, our university has established the Occupational Health and Safety Program within the Çavdır Vocational School, which continues its educational activities in line with the current requirements of the field. The primary aim of the program is to train qualified occupational health and safety technical personnel who have adopted the fundamental concepts and principles related to occupational health and safety, are familiar with national and international legislation, can conduct risk assessments, can implement protective and preventive measures to prevent workplace accidents and occupational diseases, can combine theoretical knowledge with practice, possess professional ethical awareness, can take responsibility, and are inclined to teamwork.
Within the program, students receive theoretical and practical training in areas such as occupational health and safety legislation, risk analysis, occupational hygiene, ergonomics, emergency management, fire safety, personal protective equipment, occupational diseases, and workplace accidents. Thus, graduates are trained as individuals who can contribute to creating healthy and safe conditions in working environments.
Graduates who successfully complete the program are awarded the “Associate Degree Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety.” Our graduates can be employed in businesses in the public and private sectors, industrial organizations, the construction sector, the service sector, organized industrial zones, occupational health and safety units, and joint health and safety units (OSGB). Additionally, students who successfully complete the Associate Degree program in Occupational Health and Safety can transition vertically to related undergraduate programs such as Emergency Aid and Disaster Management, Labor Economics and Industrial Relations, Business Administration, and Health Management within the quotas determined by the Vertical Transfer Exam (DGS) conducted by ÖSYM.