Safety Science 110 (2018) 344–354

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Safety Science
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/safety

A study on the effectiveness of occupational health and safety trainings of T

construction workers in Turkey
⁎
Hasan Basri Başağaa, Bayram Ali Temela, , Muzaffer Atasoyb, İbrahim Yıldırımc
a
Karadeniz Technical University, Department of Civil Engineering, Trabzon, Turkey
b
Mustafa Kemal University, Antakya Vocational School, Hatay, Turkey
c
Karadeniz Technical University, Department of Forest Industrial Engineering, Trabzon, Turkey

A R T I C LE I N FO A B S T R A C T

Keywords: In this study, profiles of the employees working in construction sector and who are to be educated in
Construction industry Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) have been investigated and the perspectives of the employees on OHS
Construction workers have been presented in order for the OHS trainings to be provided effectively. In accordance with this purpose, a
Employee profile face-to-face survey was carried out practically with the employees in the construction sector in Turkey. It has
Occupational health and safety (OHS)
been researched whether the age, educational level, knowledge, etc. characteristics of the employees that work
Survey
Turkey
in the constructions sites, defined as very hazardous occupations, vary. The level of employees’ knowledge about
OHS and how to provide OHS trainings to the employees accordingly have been studied.
These findings may be valid for other developing countries with a similar working climate or may be regarded
as a preliminary study. In this context, general findings may be a different benchmark not only for international
but also for academic and practical comparisons.

1. Introduction
The construction sector is one of the most major occupational
branches playing a role in the economies of countries. It is a sector that
deals with a large number of people, since it addresses a wide audience
in terms of work areas. Since both the public institutions and the private
sector are stakeholders, it is the business gateway for a variety of
people. The fact that the boundaries of the sector are so wide also brings
some problems along. At the top of these are concerns about
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS). In order to build a safe working
area in Turkey, the Law on Occupational Health and Safety No. 6331
entered into force in 2013. This law and accompanying regulations and
statements have brought many innovations to the business world. It is
very important to educate workers in the occupational health safety
related issues and many regulations are focused on these issues.
Moreover, a Regulation on the Procedures and Principles of
Occupational Health and Safety Training of Employees providing de-
tailed information about these trainings has been issued.
A significant amount of literature exists on literacy and lack of
overall literacy existing in the construction industry. The problem
presents a major handicap for trainers. Crowley and Lutz (1997) found
that 27% of those surveyed performed at the lowest level of ‘document
literacy’ and 20% performed at the lowest level of ‘quantitative literacy’
(Wilkins, 2011).
Construction is quite different from other industries because of
several unique characteristics, including complicated construction
processes, temporary organizational structure, changing work loca-
tions, complex work environments (Fung and Tam, 2013), and the
characteristics of worker behaviors, which are not as standardized as
those in manufacturing factories (Geller, 2001; Li et al., 2015).
The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimated that at least
60,000 fatal accidents occur each year on construction sites around the
world, representing one fatal accident every 10 min. Construction ac-
counts for one in every six fatal accidents recorded at work annually
(International Labour Organization, 2005). Further, the ILO estimates
that the construction sector in industrialized countries employs be-
tween 6% and 10% of the workforce but accounts for between 25% and
40% of work-related deaths (Lingard, 2013). With rapid economic de-
velopment and industrialization, the construction industry continues to
rank among the most hazardous industries in the world. Within the
construction industry, the risk of a fatality is 5 times higher than in
manufacturing, whilst the risk of a major injury is 2.5 times higher.
Occupational injuries and fatalities within the construction industry
have also been associated with considerable financial costs. It has been

⁎
Corresponding author at: Karadeniz Technical University, Department of Civil Engineering, 61080 Trabzon, Turkey.
E-mail addresses: hasanbb@ktu.edu.tr (H.B. Başağa), bayramali.temel@ktu.edu.tr (B.A. Temel), matasoy@mku.edu.tr (M. Atasoy),
ibrahim@ktu.edu.tr (İ. Yıldırım).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2018.09.002
Received 24 October 2017; Received in revised form 12 June 2018; Accepted 5 September 2018
Available online 12 September 2018
0925-7535/ © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
H.B. Başağa et al. Safety Science 110 (2018) 344–354

350000 20

300000 15.6%

14.1% 13.8%
250000 13.4%

Construction Injuries
12.3%
11.7% 11.0%
11.2%

Rates (%)
200000 10.7% 10.7%
9.7% 9.0% 9.4% 10
10.5% 10.2%
150000
8.8% 7.6%

100000

50000

0 0

Years

Number of Construction Injuries Rate of Construction Injuries to Industries' Total Injuries (%)

Fig. 1. The number of occupational accidents occurred in the construction sector in Turkey by year and the total number of occupational accident rate.

estimated that such injuries cost over 10 billion USD per year (Khosravi
et al., 2014).
The occupational accidents in the construction industry may result
in numerous damages and losses. That is, the cost associated with
construction accidents is immense (Fung and Tam, 2013). Workers’
compensation is an important source for estimating the costs of con-
struction accidents (Friedman and Forst, 2009). A study using workers’
compensation data from the United States evaluated that the direct
workers’ compensation costs (medical treatment and indemnity) in the
construction industry was four times higher than most other industries
on average (Waehrer et al., 2007; Liao and Chiang, 2015). The fatal
accident rate in the construction industry tends to be higher than that of
other industries (Yim et al., 2005).
In Turkey, the construction sector is one of the sectors where work
accidents occur the most; and it is generally placed on the top in terms
of the number of fatal work accidents. Every year a number of em-
ployees either die or get injured. Figs. 1 and 2 show the data of the work
accidents occurred in the construction sector in Turkey between 2000
and 2016 and the number of deaths with the total number of the OHS
Law came into effect. This shows that the OHS Law is not fully occu-
pational accidents related to the ratio of the number of deaths. Besides,
in Fig. 3 the incidence and weight rates are given for Turkey. (Social
Security Institution of Turkey, 2016). As can be seen from Fig. 3, both
incidence and weight rates per 1.000.000 working hours increased
continuously after 2012, when adapted in the business sectors.
In recent years, in addition to the triangle of time, cost, and quality,
occupational health and safety issues are increasingly being emphasized
as an indicator for construction project success. For these reasons,
construction companies need an appropriate tool to continuously assess
and improve their conditions with respect to occupational health and
safety (Mahmoudi et al., 2014). Nuntasunti and Bernold (2006) sug-
gested the use of the wireless Internet for safety management. Live
videos can be used to identify potential safety hazards in a project, as
well as providing the training.
In summary, the aforementioned experience suggests the need to
increase the efficiency of training. Improvements in health and safety

600 40
38.3% 37.8%
36.3% 35.3%
33.8% 33.8% 34.4% 33.5% 32.9% 33.5%
500 31.2% 34.4%
32.3% 30
27.1% 30.8%
Construction deaths

400
24.9%
Rates (%)

300 20

200
13.3%
10
100

0 0

Years

Number of Construction Deaths Rate of Construction Deaths to Industries' Total Deaths (%)

Fig. 2. The number of deaths occurred in the construction sector in Turkey by year and the total number of deaths rate.

345
H.B. Başağa et al.
Fig. 3. Distribution of incidence and weight rates of work accidents in Turkey.
trainings of construction specialists should consider the content of
specific training programs, which should be focused on complete rea-
listic solutions exceptionally practical tasks. Training should be built on
methodologies with interactive teaching methods, modeling of situa-
tions, visualization techniques, including databases and catalogues of
repeatedly used solutions for occupational safety (Dėjus, and
Antuchevičienė, 2013).
1.1. Literature review
Cultural differences of countries can play a role in the OHS training
of employees although the content of OHS is universal. Therefore, in an
education-focused work, the workers’ profiles and working conditions
of the countries should also be taken into consideration. Taking Turkey-
related researches into account, just a few studies stand out in litera-
ture. Sonmez and Rowings (1998) have investigated the factors af-
fecting the construction labor productivity. Colak et al. (2004) in-
troduced general statistical values concerning fatal occupational
injuries in the construction sector in an administrative province of
Turkey. Mungen and Gurcanli (2005) investigated fatal traffic accidents
in the Turkish construction industry. Gurcanli (2009) studied third-
party and child injuries at construction sites in Turkey. Gurcanli and
Mungen (2009) suggested an occupational safety risk analysis method.
Gurcanli and Müngen (2013) have studied in details the work accidents
took place in the construction sector in Turkey. Ulubeyli et al. (2015a)
in the competition of International Construction Accidents Cartoon
Contest held in Turkey with exhibited cartoons have examined the
perceptions of occupational health and safety of the countries partici-
pating in the competition of the construction sector. Mistikoglu et al.
(2015) have investigated in details the falling accidents of roof
craftsmen working in construction. Gurcanli et al. (2015) have con-
ducted a study which examines the risk of the instrument machine
operators. Kazaz and Acıkara (2015) have investigated the working
project managers in the Turkish construction sector and labor pro-
ductivity of construction workers comparatively. Ulubeyli et al.
(2015b) have done the research to detect the perception of the health
and safety of the workers.
1.2. Aim of research
The aim of this study is to determine the occupational health and
safety knowledge level of employees in the construction sites in Turkey
and to investigate the points to be considered in the trainings to be
given. These findings may be applicable to the other developing
countries with a similar study climate or can be considered as a pre-
liminary research. In this context, general findings, both in the
346
Safety Science 110 (2018) 344–354
international field as well as to the academic and practical comparisons
can be a diverse benchmark tool.
2. Methodology
In this study, the statistical search pattern was used as qualitative
research method, and survey form was used as data collection tool. The
questionnaire prepared to determine the profiles of employees and their
ideas of OHS consists of 21 questions. Before the questions were
formed, the relevant literature was searched and the draft form of the
questionnaire was prepared. Three expert opinions were consulted on
the content validity and content of the questionnaire draft form. In the
direction of the critics and suggestions obtained from the experts, the
trial questionnaire form was formed. This trial application was carried
out before the questionnaire study in to find out and eliminate the
possible faults that can be encountered in the working site, corre-
spondingly acquiring more systematic, efficient and reliable results. For
this purpose, survey forms have been conducted with 14 employees
working in a construction site. After the trial application, unnoticed
spelling mistakes on the questionnaires have been corrected and the
questions that had been difficult to understand were made clear.
Among the classifications made by Social Security Institution (SSI)
in Turkey regarding branches of industry (activity), the number of in-
sured employees registered under the title of construction sector has
been taken into consideration in order for the target population to be
determined. The sample number was calculated as 384 with 95%
confidence level and 5% error margin using the equilibrium given in
equation (1) (Sanders, 1990).
z2 N p q
n=
N D2 + z 2 p q (1)
In the questionnaire survey, 398 respondents were found to be
worthy of the survey, and 398 surveys were all evaluated in statistical
analyzes since the questionnaires were slightly higher than the number
of samples. The study is carried out 30 different large-scale housing
projects sites in Trabzon (located northeast of Turkey). The participants
filling in the questionnaire were selected among the employees who
had worked in the construction sites in different regions of Turkey. The
interviews to the workers were conducted face-to-face at the worksites
in January and February 2015.
The age, marital status and level of education information showing
the demographic characteristics of the employees participating in the
survey are given in Table 1. Accordingly, 15.33% of the employees are
18–24, 17.09% are 25–29, 19.6% are 30–34 18.34% are 35–39, 13.82%
are 40–44, 7.79% are 45–49, 8.04% are over 50. Also, 25.38% of the
employees are single, while 74.62% are married. In addition, 34.42% of
H.B. Başağa et al. Safety Science 110 (2018) 344–354

Table 1
Distribution of age, marital status and education level of employees.
Age distribution Frequency, f Percentage, %

18–24 61 15.33
25–29 68 17.09
30–34 78 19.60
35–39 73 18.34
40–44 55 13.82
45–49 31 7.79
Over 50 32 8.04
Total 398 100

Distribution of the marital status Frequency, f Percentage, %

Single 101 25.38

Married 297 74.62
Total 398 100

Distribution of the level of education Frequency, f Percentage, % Fig. 4. Distribution of employees based on their working fields in the con-
struction sector.
Primary School (5 years) 137 34.42
Primary Education (8 years) 132 33.17
High School 105 1.76 distributions.
Associate Degree 17 4.27 Distribution of employees based on their working fields in the
Bachelor’s Degree 7 26.38 construction industry has been shown in Fig. 4. Accordingly, in respect
Total 398 100
of employees involved in the study, the two fields have the biggest
percentage, the plasterer with 30.65% and Wood/Panels/Tunnel
Farmworker with 20.60%. The fields of study with a minimum per-
the employees are primary school graduates (5 years), 33.17% are
centage are Heavy Equipment Operator with 1.76% and Painter with
primary education graduates (8 years), 26.38% are high school gradu-
2.51%. Collecting the construction jobs into two groups as coarse and
ates, 4.27% are with associate’s degree and 1.76% are with bachelor’s
fine construction works, it was determined that the majority of the
degree.
respondents were found to be working in the fine works section.
The data required for statistical analysis were obtained via applying
Distribution of whether the employees involved in the study sample
the questionnaire prepared by the authors to the workers working in
have a professional competence certificate has been shown in Fig. 5.
the construction sector. Statistical analyzes of the obtained data were
According to the findings, 60.8% of the employees have a certificate of
carried out using the SPSS 23 (Statistical Package for the Social
professional competence, whereas 39.2% do not have it.
Sciences) program depending on the level of employees’ demographic
Distribution of how long the employees work in the construction
knowledge, their ideas about occupational health and safety and their
sector has been shown in Fig. 6. According to the data, 6.28% of the
level of knowledge. The obtained data were evaluated by making de-
employees work in the construction sector for less than a year, 39.20%
scriptive statistical analyzes to determine frequency distributions of the
1–10 years, 35.43% 11–20 years, 15.33% 21–30 years and 3.77% work
data. For this aim, frequency tables and pie charts are used in de-
for more than 30 years.
scribing the frequency distributions.
Data on daily working hours and the number of days worked per
For detailed information about the data, frequency analysis was
week are presented in the first table in the form of cross table. Article 63
made and the frequency distributions of the data were examined. Cross-
of the Law No. 4857 is for regulating the working time and the weekly
tabulations and Chi-square tests were also performed to determine the
working hours are defined as follows; “From the general view, working
relationship between the variables. It was assessed whether there was a
time in a week is maximum forty-five hours. Normal weekly working time
significant relationship between the variables with the Chi-square test.
with the agreements of the parties, working days of the week in the con-
The obtained data were also interpreted by the legislation valid in
struction site can be distributed differently with the condition of not to ex-
Turkey. For this purpose, Turkish Occupational Health and Safety (Law
ceed 11 h per day.” In the light of the information provided in Table 2, a
No. 6331), Turkish Labor Law (Law No. 4857) and Turkish Vocational
large portion of employees (96.23%) have been observed to work more
Qualification Authority/Institute Law (Law No. 5544) are used to
than the maximum forty-five hours limitations of Law No. 4857.
compare the legislation and the data.
Distribution of how/where the employees learned their current
occupation has been shown in Fig. 7. According to the results, 97.24%
3. Findings and results
of the employees learned the job through mentor system, while 2.76%

Surveys conducted with a total of 398 people working in the con-

struction sector in Turkey were taken into consideration. Pie charts of
the data obtained from employees participating in the survey, fre-
quency distributions and cross tables and Chi-square test results to
determine the relationship between binary variables are interpreted
below.

3.1. Frequency analysis

To obtain detailed descriptive information about the data acquired

from the employees participating in the survey, frequency analysis was
performed and the frequency distributions of the data were examined.
For this purpose, the answers given by the employees in the study Fig. 5. Distribution of whether the employees have a professional competence
sample to the questions were obtained as pie charts and frequency certificate.

347
H.B. Başağa et al. Safety Science 110 (2018) 344–354

Fig. 6. Distribution of how long the employees work in construction sector.

Fig. 9. Distribution of whether the employees involved in the study sample
have worked in a different sector before working in the construction industry.
Table 2
Daily working hours and the number of weekly working days of employees.
The average The average number of hours you work per day
number of days
you work per week 6h 7h 8h 9h 10 h 11 h 12 h

5 days 0 1 6 2 0 0 0
6 days 2 3 190 60 25 0 1
7 days 1 1 65 31 6 1 3

Fig. 10. Distribution of whether employees involved in the study sample read
books.

sectors can be listed as beekeeping, shoemaking, fishing, municipal

Fig. 7. Distribution of how/where the employees learned their current occu-
pation.
stated that they learned the job through education. 11 employees with
education work as heat/water/fire/sound isolator, electricity/water/
natural gas plumber and construction equipment operator.
Distribution of the level of job satisfaction of the employees in-
volved in the study sample has been shown in Fig. 8. According to the
data, 67.60% of the employees are satisfied with their job, 18.30% are
neutral and 14.10% are unsatisfied with what they do as living. Most of
the employees are found to be satisfied with their job (67.60%).
Distribution of whether the employees involved in the study sample
have worked in a different sector before working in the construction
industry has been shown in Fig. 9. According to the data, 71.61% of the
employees have not worked in a different business sector before
working in the construction industry; while 28.39% have. Some of the
workers, barbers, picking tealeaves, worker, and tea shop/cafe house
management, shepherding, warehouse personnel… etc.
Distribution of whether employees involved in the study sample
read books has been shown in Fig. 10. According to the results, it has
been seen that the 74.37% of the employees do not read books, while
25.63% do. It has been stated that of 102 employees reading, 41.2%
read religion-oriented books, 7.8% read all kinds of books, 39.2% read
novels and 11.8% read political-historical kinds of books.
Distribution of whether employees involved in the study sample
read newspaper has been shown in Fig. 11. According to the results, it
has been seen that the 84.92% of the employees read the newspaper,
while 15.08% do not. It has been stated that of 338 employees reading
the newspaper, 15.7% read all sections of a newspaper, 34.3% read just
news, 1.2% read columns and 1.2% read magazine section and 47.6%
read the sports section.
Distribution of whether employees involved in the study sample
watch television has been shown in Fig. 12. According to the results, it
has been seen that the 94.72% of the employees watch television, while
5.28% do not. It has been stated that of 377 employees watching tel-
evision, 0.8% watch religious, 37.4% series-movies, 38.4% all kind of
program, 4.8% watch news, 1.6% watch music-magazine-comedy pro-
gram and 10.1% watch sports.

Fig. 11. Distribution of whether employees involved in the study sample read
Fig. 8. Distribution of the level of job satisfaction of the employees. the newspaper.

348
H.B. Başağa et al.
Fig. 12. Distribution of whether employees watch television.
Fig. 13. Distribution of whether employees use the internet.
Distribution of whether employees involved in the study sample use
the internet has been shown in Fig. 13. According to the results, it has
been observed that 66.33% of the employees use the internet, whereas
33.67% do not. It has been stated that, of 264 employees, 0.8% use the
internet for shopping, 0.8% for religious purposes, 8.3% for education
research purposes, 4.8% for the news, 4.2% for the game-entertainment
and 81.1% use the internet for social media.
Distribution of whether the employees follow the technological
developments related to the construction/innovations (construction
equipment, materials and so on) has been shown in Fig. 14. According
to the results, 58.54% of the employees do not follow the technological
developments related to the construction/innovations, whereas 41.46%
follows the developments. Of 165 employees that follow the technolo-
gical developments related to the construction/innovations, 4.24% of
them follow the latest developments through fairs-magazines, 10.9%
from stores selling construction products (companies), 58.2% from the
internet, 4.8% from engineer- contractor colleagues, and 21.8% from
the construction sites.
Fig. 15 shows the distribution of whether the employees involved in
the study sample have experienced any occupational accident. Ac-
cording to this, it has been observed that the 20.35% of the employees
experienced occupational accidents, whereas 79.65% have not had any
occupational accidents. 59.3% of the 81 employees experienced occu-
pational accident once, 28.4% twice, 7.4% three times, 3.7% four times
Fig. 14. Distribution of whether the employees follow the technological de-
velopments related to the construction/innovations (construction equipment,
materials and so on).
349
Safety Science 110 (2018) 344–354
No, I havent
experienced the
occupational
accident
79.65%
Yes, I have
experienced the
occupational
accident
20.35%
Fig. 15. Distribution of whether employees have experienced an occupational
accident.
Yes , I received a
training on OHS
76.63%
No, I did not
receive a training
on OHS
23.37%
Fig. 16. Distribution of whether employees received training on the occupa-
tional health and safety or not.
and 1.2% five times.
Fig. 16 shows the distribution of whether the employees involved in
the study sample received an occupational health and safety training,
since for the first time they started working in the construction in-
dustry. In article 17th of the Law No. 6331 Occupational Health and
Safety training of employees, there is the following expression; “The
employer provides the occupational health and safety training for the
workers. This training is provided particularly, before starting work, when
the place of work or job changes, in case of work equipment changes or in the
case of new technology implementation. Training is renewed in accordance
with the changing and emerging of new risks, and if necessary repeated at
regular intervals.“ Accordingly, it has been observed that the 76.63% of
the employees received training on occupational health and safety,
whereas 23.37% did not receive the training. The proportion of un-
trained employees and those who have not yet been trained in occu-
pational health and safety is remarkable. All 305 trained employees
stated that they were trained by occupational health and safety spe-
cialists.
Distribution of the most recent training on occupational health and
safety has been shown in Fig. 17. When the most recent training on
occupational health and safety is analyzed, it has been observed that, of
305 trainers, 24.26% received training on occupational health and
safety in less than a month, 35.41% in 1–2 months, 18.03% in
3–4 months, 7.21% in 4–5 months, 2.30% in 5–6 months and 10.16%
more than one year ago. In the 6th Act Regulation of Employees about
Fig. 17. Distribution of the most recent training on occupational health and
safety.
H.B. Başağa et al. Safety Science 110 (2018) 344–354

Fig. 18. Distribution of how the trainers of occupational health and safety-re-
Fig. 20. Distribution of the level of awareness of employees' responsibilities for
lated training have assessed the latest training they received.
occupational health and safety.

the Procedures and Principles of Occupational Health and Safety
Training, there is the following expression; “The training on occupational
health and safety should be given to the employees working in a very ha-
zardous construction site by the employer at least once a year”. According
to the obtained data, it has been seen that 10.16% of the employers
received the training on occupational health and safety more than one-
year ago and it is observed that the rule of getting training at least once
a year in the regulation is not followed.
Distribution of how the trainers of occupational health and safety-
related training have assessed the latest training they received has been
shown in Fig. 18. According to this, of the 305 trainers of occupational
health and safety training, 10.49% assessed the training as very good,
59.02% is good, 25.90% is intermediate, 3.28% is poor and 1.31% as
very poor.
Distribution of employees’ ideas about how the occupational health
and safety trainings should be has been shown in Fig. 19. According to
the results, 92.97% of the employees request to receive occupational
health and safety training with practical training technique (practical
narration as well as audial and visual narration), 6.28% visual (image
and video lectures with oral presentation) and 0.75% auditory (only in
the form of verbal expression). Some of the ideas about the training
content that the workers stated, while surveys were being done are as
follows; “occupational hazard types and causes must be taught”, “ post-
accident pictures of those who have a work accident should be exhibited”, “
regular and continuous trainings on occupational health and safety should
be given”, “ trainings on occupational health and safety should be explained
by shooting short film”.
Distribution of the level of awareness of employees' responsibilities
for occupational health and safety has been shown in Fig. 20. According
to the results, 25.40% of the employees claimed to be aware of their
responsibilities for occupational health and safety, while 29.40% has
chosen “Somewhat aware” and 45.20% “Unaware” options. Of the 218
respondents claiming to have good and moderate level of knowledge,
6.0% stated they learned their responsibilities from their friends, 70.6%
from their occupational health and safety training, 1.8% from the in-
ternet and 21.6% from their experiences.
3.2. Cross tables and chi-square analyses
Cross tabulations and Chi-square test were used to determine the
relationship between the binary variables from the questionnaire-de-
rived data. Whether there is a significant relationship between two
variables is determined statically through Chi-square tests.
Below, the obtained data that cannot be applied to the Chi-square
tests are interpreted only in the form of cross tables, while the Chi-
square applicable data is interpreted by performing Chi-square tests and
cross-tabulated.
The cross-tabulation showing how the occupational health and
safety trainings should be according to age distribution and the level of
education of employees has been shown in Table 3. The values given for
these binary variables are not suitable for the application of chi-square
test. According to the cross-table, the majority of employees, regardless
of the level of education and their age distribution, demand the occu-
pational health and safety trainings to be practical. Therefore, this re-
quest does not vary in accordance with the level of education and age
distribution of the employees.
The relation between the age groups of the employees and level of
job satisfaction has been shown in Table 4. The Chi-square analysis
regarding the age groups of the employees and level of job satisfaction
has revealed a significant relation (p = 0.047 < 0.05). It has been seen
that the majority of the employees in the age groups are satisfied with
their work. The ratio of those who are satisfied with their work is in-
creasing as the ages go from 18–24 to ages 45–49. In the age group of
50, however, the proportion of employees who are satisfied with their
Table 3
The cross-tabulation showing how the occupational health and safety trainings
should be according to age distribution and the level of education of employees.
How do you think the training technique should be for the
occupational health and safety trainings to be more
beneficial?
Education Audial % Visual % Practical %

Primary School 0.7 5.1 94.2

(5 years)
Primary Education 0.8 8.3 90.9
(8 years)
High School 1.0 2.9 96.2
Associate Degree 0.0 17.6 82.4
Bachelor’s Degree 0.0 14.3 85.7

Age distribution Audial % Visual % Practical %

18–24 1.6 11.5 86.9

25–29 0.0 8.8 91.2
30–34 0.0 3.8 96.2
35–39 2.7 4.1 93.2
40–44 0.0 3.6 96.4
45–49 0.0 3.2 96.8
Fig. 19. Distribution of employees’ ideas about how the occupational health
Over 50 0.0 9.4 90.6
and safety trainings should be.

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H.B. Başağa et al. Safety Science 110 (2018) 344–354

Table 4 Table 7
The relation between the age groups of the employees and level of job sa- The relation between age groups of employees and their choices of following
tisfaction. the technological developments/innovations (building technology, construction
machinery, materials, etc.) related to the construction industry.
Level of satisfaction
Do you follow the technological developments related to the
Age Satisfied % Neutral % Dissatisfied % construction/innovations (construction equipment, materials and so
on)?
18–24 50.8 29.5 19.7
25–29 60.3 22.1 17.6 Age Yes % No %
30–34 64.1 205 15.4
35–39 74.0 15.1 11.0 18–24 42.6 57.4
40–44 80.0 9.1 10.9 25–29 47.1 52.9
45–49 87.1 6.5 6.5 30–34 42.3 57.7
Over 50 68.8 18.8 12.5 35–39 43.8 56.2
40–44 34.5 65.5
Total % 67.6 18.3 14.1
45–49 38.7 61.3
Over 50 34.4 65.6

Table 5 Total % 41.5 58.5

The relation between age groups of employees and their internet usage.
Do you use internet? Table 8
The relation between age groups of employees and whether they read books.
Age Yes % No %
Do you read books?
18–24 98.4 1.6
25–29 80.9 19.1 Age Yes % No %
30–34 79.5 20.5
35–39 65.8 34.2 18–24 37.7 62.3
40–44 45.5 54.5 25–29 20.6 79.4
45–49 35.5 64.5 30–34 26.9 73.1
Over 50 9.4 90.6 35–39 19.2 80.8
Total % 66.3 33.7 40–44 29.1 70.9
45–49 25.8 74.2
Over 50 18.8 81.3

work decreases compared to the previous group. Total % 25.6 74.4

The relation between age groups of employees and their internet
usage has been shown in Table 5. The Chi-square analysis regarding age
The relation between age groups of employees and whether they
groups of employees and their internet usage has revealed a significant
read books has been shown in Table 8. The Chi-square analysis re-
relation (p = 0.000 < 0.05). As the age level of employees increases,
garding age groups of employees and whether they read books has not
the internet usage rate decreases drastically.
revealed a significant relation (p = 0.212 > 0.05).
The relation between age groups of employees and the level of their
The relation between age groups of the employees and whether they
awareness about occupational health and safety responsibility has been
read newspaper has been shown in Table 9. The Chi-square analysis
shown in Table 6. The Chi-square analysis regarding age groups of
regarding age groups of the employees and whether they read news-
employees and the level of their awareness about occupational health
paper has not revealed a significant relation (p = 0.066 > 0.05).
and safety responsibility has not revealed a significant relation
The relation between the educational level of the employees and
(p = 0.225 > 0.05).
whether they read books has been shown in Table 10. The Chi-square
The relation between age groups of employees and their choices of
analysis regarding the educational level of the employees and whether
following the technological developments/innovations (building tech-
they read books has revealed a significant relation (p = 0.044 < 0.05).
nology, construction machinery, materials, etc.) related to the con-
In addition, the level of reading books increases with the level of
struction industry has been shown in Table 7. The Chi-square analysis
education.
regarding age groups of employees and their choices of following the
The relation between the educational level of the employees and
technological developments/innovations (building technology, con-
their internet usage has been shown in Table 11. The Chi-square ana-
struction machinery, materials, etc.) related to the construction in-
lysis regarding the educational level of the employees and their internet
dustry has not revealed a significant relation (p = 0.815 > 0.05).
usage has revealed a significant relation (p = 0.000 < 0.05). In

Table 6
The relation between age groups of employees and the level of their awareness Table 9
about occupational health and safety responsibility. The relation between age groups of employees and whether they read news-
papers.
At what level do you know your responsibilities for occupational health
and safety? Do you read newspapers?

Age Above average % Average % Below average % Age Yes % No %

18–24 23.0 24.6 52.5 18–24 83.6 16.4

25–29 19.1 32.4 48.5 25–29 80.9 19.1
30–34 28.2 35.9 35.9 30–34 79.5 20.5
35–39 30.1 34.2 35.6 35–39 97.3 2.7
40–44 32.7 20.0 47.3 40–44 85.5 14.5
45–49 22.6 29.0 48.4 45–49 83.9 16.1
Over 50 15.6 21.9 62.5 Over 50 81.3 18.8

Total % 25.4 29.4 45.2 Total % 84.9 15.1

351
H.B. Başağa et al. Safety Science 110 (2018) 344–354

Table 10 Table 13
The relation between the educational level of the employees and whether they The relation between the educational levels of employees and whether they
read books. read newspapers.
Do you read books? Do you read newspapers?

Education Yes % No % Education Yes % No %

Primary School (5 years) 20.7 79.3 Primary School (5 years) 82.5 17.5
Primary Education (8 years) 22.0 78.0 Primary Education (8 years) 84.8 15.2
High School 28.6 71.4 High School 87.6 12.4
Associate Degree 47.1 52.9 Associate Degree 94.1 5.9
Bachelor’s Degree 57.1 42.9 Bachelor’s Degree 71.4 28.6

Total % 25.6 74.4 Total % 84.9 15.1

Table 11 Table 14
The relation between the educational level of the employees and their internet The relation between the educational level and occupational accident rate of
usage. the employees.
Do you use the internet? Have you ever had an occupational accident?

Education Yes % No % Education Yes % No %

Primary School (5 years) 40.1 59.9 Primary School (5 years) 23.4 76.6
Primary Education (8 years) 69.7 30.3 Primary Education (8 years) 18.9 81.1
High School 88.6 11.4 High School 19.0 81.0
Associate Degree 100.0 0.0 Associate Degree 17.6 82.4
Bachelor’s Degree 100.0 0.0 Bachelor’s Degree 14.3 85.7

Total % 66.3 33.7 Total % 20.4 79.6

addition, the level of internet usage increases with the level of educa-
tion.
The relation between the educational levels of the employees and
their choices of following the technological developments/innovations
(building technology, construction machinery, materials, etc.) related
to the construction industry has been shown in Table 12. The Chi-
square analysis regarding the educational levels of the employees and
their choices of following the technological developments/innovations
(building technology, construction machinery, materials, etc.) related
to the construction industry has revealed a significant relation
(p = 0.007 < 0.05). In addition, it can be seen that the rate of fol-
lowing the technological developments/innovations (building tech-
nology, construction machinery, materials, etc.) is the lowest among
the employees who are primary school graduates.
The relation between the educational levels of employees and
whether they read newspapers has been shown in Table 13. The Chi-
square analysis regarding the educational levels of employees and
whether they read newspapers has not revealed a significant relation
(p = 0.501 > 0.05).
The relation between the educational level and occupational
accident rate of the employees has been shown in Table 14. The Chi-
square analysis regarding the educational level and occupational acci-
dent rate of the employees has not revealed a significant relation
(p = 0.866 > 0.05). In addition, according to the percentages given in
the tables, the highest rate of having an occupational accident belongs
to the primary school graduates with 23.4%, while the lowest rate is
those with Bachelor’s Degrees with 14.3%.
The relation between the level of awareness of employees' respon-
sibilities for occupational health and safety and the status of occupa-
tional accidents has been shown in Table 15. The Chi-square analysis
regarding the level of awareness of employees' responsibilities for oc-
cupational health and safety and the status of occupational accidents
has not revealed a significant relation. (p = 0.062 > 0.05).
The relation between the duration of the employees in the con-
struction sector and the level of their awareness about occupational
health and safety responsibility has been shown in Table 16. The Chi-
square analysis regarding the duration of the employees in the con-
struction sector and the level of their awareness about occupational
health and safety responsibility has not revealed a significant relation.
(p = 0.826 > 0.05).

Table 12 4. Discussions
The relation between the educational levels of the employees and their choices
of following the technological developments/innovations (building technology, Conformity of the works done in the site to the current OHS legis-
construction machinery, materials, etc.) related to the construction industry. lation in Turkey is indicated by comparison of the data obtained from
Do you follow the technological developments related to
the construction/innovations (construction equipment, Table 15
materials and so on)? The relation between the level of awareness of employees' responsibilities for
occupational health and safety and the status of occupational accidents.
Education Yes % No %
At what level do you know your responsibilities Have you ever had an occupational
Primary School 33.6 66.4 for occupational health and safety? accident?
(5 years)
Primary Education 47.0 53.0 Yes % No %
(8 years)
High School 39.0 61.0 Above average 16.8 83.2
Associate Degree 76.5 23.5 Average 15.4 84.6
Bachelor’s Degree 42.9 57.1 Below average 25.6 74.4

Total % 41.5 58.5 Total % 20.4 79.6

352
H.B. Başağa et al. Safety Science 110 (2018) 344–354

Table 16 the employees' habits of reading and research are taken into con-
The relation between the duration of the employees in the construction sector sideration.
and the level of their awareness about occupational health and safety respon- 94.72% of the employees involved in the study sample have stated
sibility. that they watch television. This suggests that it would be useful to use
At what level do you know your responsibilities for occupational television as an effective tool to inform employees on occupational
health and safety? health and safety issues. Nowadays, in addition to broadcasts called
“Public Spot” on television, additional broadcasts aiming to create
Duration Above average % Average % Below average %
public opinion are important for raising awareness of the employees.
Less than a year 12.5 29.2 58.3 20.35% of the employees involved in the study sample are reported
1–10 years 26.1 31.2 42.7 to have occupational accidents, whereas the 79.65% are not. It has been
11–20 years 27.0 27.7 45.4 observed that the rate of accidents among employees is the highest
21–30 years 26.2 26.2 47.5
among primary school graduates with 23.4%.
Over 30 years 20.0 40.0 40.0
23.37% of the employees involved in the study sample have stated
Total % 25.4 29.4 45.2
that they have not received training on occupational health and safety.
This shows that the employer has not fulfilled his obligation to provide
employees with training, stated in article 17 of the Law No. 6331,
the employees and cases specified in the relevant articles of law. In
partially.
addition, the aspects that should be taken into consideration to make
It is observed that 10.16% of those trained in occupational health
the OHS trainings more effective by using the data related to the social
and safety were trained on occupational health and safety more than a
experiences of the employees have been revealed.
year ago, which shows that the rule of getting an education at least once
It has been determined that the ages of 84.14% of the employees
a year, stated in the Regulation on Procedures and Principles of
constituting the sample group of the study are scattered between the
Occupational Health and Safety Trainings, has been violated.
ages of 18–44, the intensity of age is between 30 and 34 years with
It has also been observed that, as the age level of employees in the
19.6% and the majority is primary school graduate with 34.42% in
study sample increases, the rate of internet use decreases severely. On
respect of educational level distribution. It has been found that the vast
the other hand, as the education level of the employees increases, their
majority of the employees (67.59%) have not studied outside of com-
reading rate increases, as well. Likewise, it has been observed that, as
pulsory education and the number of undergraduates is too low.
the education level of the employees’ increases, their rate of internet
It is determined that 39.20% of the employees included in the study
use increases too.
sample do not have the professional qualification certificate. In the
Regardless of the age distribution of employees and their level of
Occupational Proficiencies Authority Act no 5544 Annex Article 1
education, the vast majority of employees want the occupational health
consists the article “From the hazardous and very hazardous work, in the
and safety training techniques to be practical. Therefore, this request
authority standard published and in professions specified in the notification
did not differ according to the age and/or educational level of the
issued by the Ministry, after twelve months from the date of publication of
employees.
the notification, people who do not have the vocational proficiency certificate
38.44% of the employees involved in the study sample have re-
will not be allowed to work according to the principles set out in this Act.”
ported that they are less aware of their responsibilities related to the
Accordingly, it is necessary for the employees who do not have the
occupational health and safety. The Law No. 6331 has been in force
certification and their employers to fulfill the necessary procedures to
since 2013 and the article 16 claims that the employees are to be in-
provide the documents in order not to have any problems in the future.
formed about the aspects of OHS. Taking this information into con-
In addition, if an employee without professional competence mea-
sideration it is clear that, OHS system has not been settled yet according
surement does not have the comprehensive details of his work, there
to the percentage obtained.
may be a high risk of putting both his own life and his colleague's life in
jeopardy, since he would not take occupational health and safety as-
5. Conclusions and suggestions
pects into consideration.
27.14% of the employees involved in study sample work 7 days a
In order for making occupational health and safety education, that
week. A non-negligible percentage of the employees stated that they
is obligatory to employees according to the Law on Occupational Health
work every single day of the week without taking a day off and they can
and Safety No. 6331 in Turkey, more beneficent, it is necessary to have
only have an off day in case the weather is rainy, snowy and/or cold. As
detailed information about the profile of workers who will receive this
a result, 27.14% of the employees are not able to use their weekly leave
training. In this study, face-to-face surveys were conducted with em-
day which is assigned to them by Law No. 4857. Moreover, according to
ployees to determine the general views of employees working in the
the data on daily working hours and the number of working days per
construction sector in Turkey and their general opinion on occupational
week of the employees, a large portion of the workers (96.23%) have
health and safety. According to the frequency analysis, Chi-square tests
been observed to work more than the maximum forty-five hours lim-
and cross tabulation that have been applied to the obtained data;
itations in the Labor Law No. 4857. Overworking and not using the
resting time are probable to result in tiredness, dullness, a decrease of
✓ The planned major change in occupational health and safety
motivation, etc. As a consequence of this situation, emotional dis-
through Law No. 6331 has not been fully realized in Turkey.
turbances such as distractibility, dispiritedness that may occur during
✓ There are deficiencies in putting the aspects contained in the Act
work become a threat to occupational health and safety of the em-
into implementation.
ployees.
✓ Employee training, the most crucial source of information on OHS,
It has been stated that 58.54% of the employees involved in the
has not been conducted effectively and relevantly.
study sample do not follow up the technological developments/in-
novations relevant to the construction industry, 74.37% do not read
The following suggestions are given to make the OHS trainings more
books, 15.08% do not read newspapers, and 33.67% do not use the
effective and accurate in terms of the data obtained from this study.
internet. These conditions should be taken into account while preparing
Since the education levels of employees, their ages and the experiences
the contents of the trainings to be given to the employees under the Law
are very diverse, it is necessary to take these factors into consideration
No. 6331. Besides, the provisions of article 16 of the Law No. 6331
while the education content and the groups to be trained are being
entitled “Informing Employees” also appear to be very important when
formed.

353
H.B. Başağa et al.
• Visual media can be effectively used to create OHS culture.
Appendix A. Supplementary material
Supplementary data associated with this article can be found, in the
online version, at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2018.09.002.
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