Abstract

Occupational health and safety (OSH) is a public health issue. Any work done in the field of OSH affects directly the employees. prioritising the employee, the most important value that contributes productivity, provides a positive contribution to the work that is being done on this area. The success of these studies requires multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary approach to the public health. In Turkey, the health transformation program for the development of healthcare services was initiated in 2002 and primary health care services were prioritised. Also within this scope, the OSH Department of Public Health Institution of Turkey (PHIT) is actively involved with occupational health since 2011. In addition, after the law enacted in 2012, Community Health Centres (CHC) serving under the PHIT started to give OSH services to the sector. Smaller companies hire OSH services from a private organisation or from a CHC (currently 84 out of 900 CHCs provide OSH services). Family physician system has been introduced, and as of today, approximately 23 000 family physician are widely available throughout the country. The fight against chronic diseases is at the main agenda of Turkey. Surveillance studies for awareness, data collection, analysis and prevention and protection are also continuing, especially in primary health care services. Taking advantage of the knowledge and experience of international studies with the public health approach and sharing our own experiences will contribute to the worldwide OSH services.