**8. Economic aspects of occupational health and safety**

Industrialization and technological developments lead to occupational injuries and environ‐ mental risks which cause socioeconomic losses not only in Turkey but also in various coun‐ tries including European countries [53, 54]. Even though there are precautions taken against occupational risks in developed European countries, occupational accidents and diseases due to profession have not been prevented for long years. This indicates that it is hard to overcome occupational disease and accidents. On the other hand, the gradual decrease in the occupational accidents and diseases related to profession in European countries in the past 10 years show us the importance of the application of the precautions. In this regard, when we consider the outcomes of our country, we should support the regulations in the workplace, create the incentive systems, ensure effectiveness of Occupational Health and Safety Workers' Representation and Occupational Health and Security Committees, and increase the trainings in order to foster social consciousness instead of waiting the employees and employers to apply these rules [53]. According to ILO, it has been reported that there is 1.25 trillion dollars loss each year due to the OHS problems [55]. In Turkey, the loss of only social security systems has been reported as approximately 4 million Turkish Liras per year [56]. According to the report of Turkey Statistical Institute (TSI) 2007 Gross Domestic Product values, the total costs of occupational accidents in Turkey are almost 35 billion Turkish Liras per year [57].
