Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
5th INTERNATIONAL PARIS CONGRESS ON APPLIED SCIENCES, Paris, Fransa, 4 - 08 Ağustos 2025, ss.361-363, (Özet Bildiri)
Occupational health and safety has become an increasingly important concept worldwide,
including in Turkey. However, the legislation, standards, practices, and safety measures related
to this field vary significantly depending on the level of development of each country.
Industrialization has brought with it a growing labor force, which in turn has resulted in heavy
working conditions and unsafe workplace environments. Consequently, government
intervention in working life has become essential to protect employees’ health and safety. The
supervision of working life and conditions by governments also differs according to each
country’s administrative structure and level of development. Within their respective legal
frameworks, states have developed various practices and inspection systems, which encompass
the monitoring, auditing, and recording of occupational health and safety practices as integral
components.
This study specifically examines the differences in legislation and administrative practices
between the United States and Turkey regarding the “reporting processes of occupational
accidents.” In this context, the legal frameworks in both countries were reviewed, and the
purposes and justifications for recording accidents were analyzed. The study further compares
the differing definitions of “occupational accident” in the two legal systems and investigates
how these definitions influence the reporting processes of events classified as occupational
accidents. Moreover, the content of accident notification forms used in both countries was
examined to assess whether these forms effectively support the compilation and interpretation
of accident statistics in alignment with their intended purpose.
Additionally, the study explores the procedures for preparing accident notification forms in
compliance with legislation, as well as the relevant enforcement mechanisms in both countries.
The findings reveal that while the United States and Turkey share similarities in legislation and
general practices, notable differences exist in the bureaucratic aspects and operational
procedures of the reporting process. The research highlights that OSHA (Occupational Safety
and Health Administration) in the United States adopts a more transparent policy regarding data
sharing, whereas in Turkey, significant portions of such data remain undisclosed due to legal
constraints. The objectives of record-keeping also differ: OSHA’s primary purpose is to prevent
potential future accidents through collaboration with key stakeholders (workers, employers, and
government), whereas in Turkey, the process is largely aimed at facilitating post-accident
procedures managed by the Social Security Institution (SGK).
Differences in the legal definitions of occupational accidents between the two countries are also
reflected in the design and content of their reporting forms. Furthermore, the study observes
that, unlike Turkey, the United States provides training and consultancy services to ensure the
accurate preparation of accident notification forms, illustrating a critical divergence in practical
implementation. Another significant distinction is the legal recognition of employee
participation in the accident reporting process in the United States, granting every worker the
right to report workplace accidents, a right that is absent from Turkish legislation.