Critical training for employees working at heights

Established in 2011 as Turkey’s first public Occupational Health and Safety Unit (OSGB), IZELMAN OSGB has been providing services to reduce work accidents at Izmir Metropolitan Municipality by continuing its trainings for employees in various risk groups. As part of Occupational Health and Safety, Working at Heights Training was provided to Metropolitan Municipality employees working at heights on July 3-4.
IZELMAN OSGB, aiming to plan, supervise, and ensure safe and healthy working conditions from a single center, started providing services to Izmir Metropolitan Municipality subsidiaries, carrying out Occupational Health and Safety services for a total of 17,000 employees. One of these trainings, Working at Heights Training, was provided on July 3-4. These trainings include essential information, skills, and behaviors required for employees to work safely at heights, conveying vital information such as the risks of working at heights, correct use of necessary equipment for work, and what should be done in case of emergencies. The trainings conducted by Occupational Safety Specialists Gamze Göktan and Çağrı Kadir Onay are organized for personnel working at heights such as elevator maintenance and repair works, tree pruning, roof maintenance and repair. Employees eligible to work at heights based on the examination by occupational health physicians can participate in these trainings.
“First, we identify the risks” Providing information about the trainings, Occupational Safety Specialist Gamze Göktan said, “With these trainings, we aim to raise awareness among employees. Working at heights does not only mean wearing a safety harness to ensure safety. There are many factors such as wind hazards, slipping, falling risks in the work area. We first identify the risks in the work environment and try to explain them to the personnel. Then, we provide information on the precautions to be taken and how to act while working. As participants repeat these trainings, their knowledge stays fresh,” she said.
Theoretical and practical training Occupational Safety Specialist Çağrı Kadir Onay also stated, “Working at Heights training is actually important for every employee. Because any work with a certain level difference and a possibility of injury when falling is considered working at heights. Therefore, we need to take precautions while working. Our trainings continue to make employees more conscious. Both theoretical and practical trainings are very important. Practical trainings ensure that the information provided becomes more permanent,” he said.
“We will continue to work carefully” Yasin Dalgıç, who works in elevator maintenance and repair works at Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, said, “Working at heights increases the risk of falling, getting injured, and being harmed. These trainings are very beneficial for us. We refresh our knowledge. We will continue to be more careful by following the rules,” he said. An employee named Çağrı Çam said, “We once again learned how important it is to wear a harness and use other equipment while working at heights through this training. The occurrence of an accident while working at heights can lead to irreversible consequences,” he said.
IZELMAN OSGB, in accordance with Law No. 6331, also provides regular basic occupational health and safety trainings to its employees according to the workplace hazard class. It provides 8 hours of training every 3 years to employees in the less hazardous workplace class, 12 hours every 2 years to employees in the hazardous workplace class, and 16 hours every year to employees in the very hazardous workplace class.