Turkey approves International Labor Organization’s code on safety and health in construction

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

DHA Photo

The International Labor Organization’s (ILO) code on safety and health in construction entered into force in Turkey on Feb. 6. 

The convention came into focus after 10 workers at an Istanbul construction site were killed following the collapse of an industrial elevator on Sept. 10, 2014. After recently being approved by parliament, the convention officially became law after being published in the Official Gazette on Feb. 6, 2015.

Broad in scope

Convention no: 167, established in 1988, will henceforth apply in Turkey to all activities including operation and transportation on a construction site, preparation of the site, construction of new buildings, civil engineering, and the building and dismantling processes. Additionally, the convention involves provisions on the tools and vehicles that must be used during construction processes, issues of health and safety on construction sites, workers’ and employers’ obligations, and measures that must be taken by signatory states.

Meanwhile, another law that obligates compulsory accident insurance for all personnel working in the mining sector has been approved by the cabinet and will come into force in May. 

According to the decree published in the Official Gazette on Feb. 6, 2015, all legal entities wishing to carry out mining activities are obliged to sign an insurance policy, based on whether the activities involve over or underground work.

Risk monitoring by insurance companies

The decree states that insurance companies will be responsible for the inspection of production compatibility in workspaces.

“If a facility provides the conditions that are compatible with the essential insurance requirements, insurance companies will issue the policy. Within six months, starting from the issue date of the policy, insurance companies are obliged to repeat the inspection process. If the facility does not fulfil the conditions during the second inspection, insurance companies will deny the issue request and notify the relevant public institutions authorized to give a license to these facilities,” the decree says.

Last year’s mine disasters in the western town of Soma and the Central Anatolian province of Karaman’s Ermenek district have brought working conditions at mines across Turkey into the spotlight.

Ankara also recently signed the ILO’s convention no: 176 aiming to prevent fatalities, injuries, and harm to the public health, including damage to the environment, from mining operations.