From worker health to occupational health and safety in Turkey: a history of paradigm change

Occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations in Turkey have undergone significant transformations from the Ottoman Empire to the present day. Early legal frameworks, starting with the 1865 regulations, were narrowly focused on specific high-risk sectors like mining. This worker-centric and sector-based approach persisted during the early Republican era but began to expand as Turkey pursued industrialization and modernization. The post-2000 era marked a paradigm shift driven by Turkey's EU harmonization process and the adoption of ILO standards. The transition involved moving from compensatory and reactive measures to a proactive, preventive, and inclusive OHS model applicable to all employees, regardless of sector or employment status. This study examines the historical evolution of OHS regulations in Turkey, exploring how socio-economic changes, international norms, and domestic dynamics shaped a modern framework that aligns with global labor standards.