During Occupational Health and Safety Week at PAU Hospitals, attention was drawn to the importance of occupational health and safety activities. In the briefing conducted by the Workplace Health and Safety Unit, it was emphasized that occupational health and safety is not merely a regulation or obligation, but a significant responsibility that places human life at its center. It was noted that healthcare services are sustained through the dedicated efforts of employees, and that creating safe working environments is of great importance both for employee health and service quality.

It was stated that the Workplace Health and Safety Unit, established on 22 July 2012 within Pamukkale University Hospitals, has been providing services for approximately 14 years, and that within the hospital structure classified as “very hazardous,” occupational health services are delivered to approximately 3,000 employees. It was emphasized that comprehensive efforts are carried out to maintain a safe working environment within the hospital’s extensive service area.

It was reported that regular periodic health screenings of employees are conducted by the Workplace Health and Safety Unit, and preventive health practices suitable for working conditions are carefully monitored. It was also stated that employee vaccinations are carried out in a planned manner, and measures to protect healthcare workers against occupational risks are implemented decisively. In addition, it was noted that regular risk analyses are conducted in all indoor and outdoor working areas, and that preventive actions are taken by identifying potential hazards before they occur.

“Taking precautions is not a choice, but the strongest responsibility for protecting life.”

It was stated that through mandatory occupational health and safety training, employees’ knowledge and awareness levels are continuously maintained, and that a safe working culture has become an integral part of the institutional structure. It was reported that occupational accident monitoring and reporting processes are carried out with great care, and that incidents are carefully analyzed to implement corrective measures to prevent recurrence. It was also noted that the monitoring processes of Code White incidents are handled with the same sensitivity, ensuring a multidimensional approach to protecting healthcare workers’ safety.

It was emphasized that through field observation evaluations and near-miss reporting studies, risk-prone situations are identified before they result in negative outcomes, and that the core principle of occupational health and safety is a “prevention first” approach. It was highlighted that occupational health and safety efforts mean protecting not only employees, but also families and societal safety as a whole.