It has become mandatory in all workplaces: Those who do not comply will pay heavy fines!

As of January 1, 2025, it has become mandatory for all workplaces to employ an occupational safety specialist and an occupational physician, regardless of the number of employees or the hazard class of the workplace.

This regulation has come into effect under the Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331, which was published in the Official Gazette 12 years ago.

WORKPLACES WITH ONE EMPLOYEE ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE REGULATION

It will be required to have an occupational safety specialist and an occupational physician for low-hazard, hazardous, and very hazardous workplaces.

This situation also covers the smallest businesses. Even in workplaces with a single employee, it is mandatory to have an occupational safety specialist and an occupational physician.

FINES WILL START FROM 92 THOUSAND TL

Workplaces that do not employ an occupational safety specialist and an occupational physician will have to pay serious fines.

The fine for businesses in the low-hazard class with fewer than 50 employees will be 92 thousand 403 TL, and it could reach up to 138 thousand 604 TL for those with more than 50 employees.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY SPECIALIST AND OCCUPATIONAL PHYSICIAN SALARIES

While the salaries of occupational safety specialists for 2024 were set at 28 thousand TL for Class C, 40 thousand TL for Class B, and 47 thousand TL for Class A, the salaries of occupational physicians will reach up to 221 thousand TL as of 2025.

TRAINING WILL BE PROVIDED TO SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

Workplaces with fewer than 50 employees that are in the low-hazard class will be able to fulfill this obligation themselves by receiving training to provide occupational health and safety services.

The Ministry is working on alternative regulations to ensure that small business owners are not affected by these requirements.