The program of “Occupational Safety Exhibitionhouse” aims to improve working conditions of small and middle scale enterprises. Thus, it has also been an indispensable part of developing an appropriate “occupational safety services system”.
There are three important aspects of the “exhibitionhouse” and “occupational safety service system”:
- Measures to be taken as the responsibility of experts
- Quality and sustainability of all measures
- Changing of workers’ attitude patterns at earlier ages
Occupational Safety System:
This system requires the voluntary participation of employers and employees. The system includes the following steps:
- Exploration of the hazards at the job-site by the experts in the meetings where both the employer and the employee are present: These meetings are organized after completing the “risk analysis forms” through discussions with a group of job-site personnel and employer. Thus, the hazards are discovered not with the insistence of the experts, rather in an environment where the real-owners of the subject are present. For that purpose, “checklists” and guiding material are prepared.
- So as to determine the extent of how much they were affected by the hazards until that time, measurements in working environment (e.g. noise level, lighting level, thermal conditions, comfort conditions, gas and stem measurements) and health examinations of the workers were made.
- Taking group measures (such as changing an entire air filtering system in a factory) is considered more effective and therefore, is preferred rather than using individual methods (such as repetitively reminding individual workers to use face-masks).
- When use of personal protectives is required and if wanted; the probable options are shown. The exhibitionhouse is an excellent option providing a substantial guide concerning this subject and in our country, this guidance has an important role because “personal protective market” is undeveloped so also is the local production, as well.
- The attitudes of workers (including the children) towards occupational health and safety issues are considered. Efforts are given so as to make them think multi-dimensionally and “prevention” oriented. “Smiling discourse” techniques are implemented so as to remove misunderstandings, if any. Convincing people to overcome their habits of not implementing the preventing measures are the prerequisites of realizing occupational safety measures.
- Every study is documented and developments are noted. Most importantly, feedback from the participants is made through “pre-test”, “post-test” and “an evaluation poll of the educational atmosphere and the educators”.
The occupational safety exhibitionhouse is one of the most important means of the occupational safety service.
Its approach is integrated, combining group measures and individual ones as a blended whole. Engineering measures improving working environments are given top priority. In parallel to this approach, there is a big range of protectives such as first measures for fire or being wounded, measures to remove threatening factors for respiration system, mask kinds etc.
The exhibitionhouse also contains the atmosphere of education and hands-on manipulation of the protectives is encouraged. It is especially important for the working children who are attending Apprenticeship Education Centers and receiving the theoretical education to complete the Occupational Health and Safety Course in this exhibitionhouse. This is most beneficial because patterns of attitudes are changed easier when workers are younger. In addition to the working children, adult workers are educated as well.
Although “personal protective equipment” is sold in this exhibitionhouse; what makes it different from a business establishment is that it seeks an “occupational safety expert’s prescription” and that the sale of such equipment is not seen as a goal, rather as a convenience.
Initially, the exhibitionhouse was supported by International Labor Organization (ILO). However, it is currently managing and growing on its own.