**10. Conclusion and recommendations**

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

**9. Occupational health and safety services for health professionals in** 

The Central Council of the Turkish Medical Association initiated first studies about the health status of health professionals in Turkey in 1989 with the slogan entitled "This is our health." Then, a database on the subject was aimed to be established [58]. The requirement of a com‐ mittee, which should carry out the studies regarding the health and safety of employees working in the hospital, was discussed in 1999–2000, and the pilot studies were initiated, but these studies were not completed. The precautions were compiled intended for the safety of the health professionals in the 15th item of the "Notification on Principles and Procedures related to Ensuring the Patient and Staff Safety and Protection in Health Institutions" which was approved in 29th of April, 2009. In a sense, this document created a basis for the establish‐

The concept of OHS services is defined by the USA Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and Hospital Safety Committee (HSC). Accordingly, they are explained as first step health care which improves and protects the health of health professionals and fulfills the thera‐ peutic care services for outpatients. An effective hospital occupational health program must include at least the following titles: recruitment examinations including a full medical history, periodic inspections, health and safety trainings, immunizations, health counseling, environ‐ mental control and surveillance, record systems of health and safety, and coordinated plan‐ ning between hospital departments and services. Furthermore, the environmental control and surveillance program should be a part of the occupational health program, and required pre‐

The Association of Public Health Professionals (originally HASUDER in Turkey) Occupational Health Working Group (OHWG) performed their first activity in Gazi University, Medical

per year [57].

50 Occupational Health

**Turkey**

ment of the related OHS unit [59, 60].

cautions should be taken by performing risk analyses [61–63].

Even though there are occupational health and safety units in state and private hospitals, personnels and service are still insufficient. Thus, the applications can vary from region to region, institution to institution as well as person to person [61]. In this regard, as in various European countries, it can also be efficient in Turkey in case the government controls the ser‐ vices for health professionals and if these services are provided independent of the requests of individuals [63]. The health of the health professionals also affects the health of the commu‐ nity. When we consider the regional differences of hospitals (such as technical equipments, staff and quality of services), which as an emerging economy, it is very important to apply the regulations that are specified by national laws and procedures across the country including the public and private health sector. Additionally, it is also crucial to decrease the exposure to occupational risks of health workers [66].

Occupational health and safety is very crucial in terms of the resource allocation. In case a portion of the economic resources can be allocated to OHS trainings and organization, the effi‐ ciency and increments in the production due to the application of OHS regulations can accel‐ erate the economic growth and the development [67]. The importance of OHS precautions has increased due to the understanding that the costs that eliminate the harm of occupational accidents are higher than the costs that prevent the occupational accidents [68].
