As of January 01, 2025, an important period awaits all workplace owners who will be classified as less dangerous workplaces. No. 6331 Occupational Health and Safety Within the scope of Article 38 of the Law, the obligation to have an Occupational Safety Expert and Workplace Physician begins in workplaces with fewer than 50 employees and classified as less dangerous.

So, what is the less dangerous law, which workplaces does it cover and what should businesses do about this new obligation? Let's examine this important regulation in detail.

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Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulations in Less Hazardous Workplaces and Law No. 6331

Law No. 6331 on Occupational Health and Safety is an important piece of legislation enacted in Turkey to protect the health of employees, prevent occupational accidents and provide a safe working environment. This law divides all workplaces into three categories according to hazard classes:

less dangerous, dangerous and very dangerous. Less hazardous workplaces refer to sectors where the risks to which employees are exposed are low. These sectors generally cover areas such as office, retail, education, hospitality.

OHS Obligations in Less Hazardous Workplaces

The Law extends the scope of the Law by requiring the provision of occupational health and safety services even in less hazardous workplaces. Accordingly, the following obligations have become applicable to less hazardous workplaces:

1. Having an Occupational Safety Expert: Less hazardous workplaces, depending on the number of employees, must employ an occupational safety specialist or receive this service from a joint health and safety unit (OSGB). The occupational safety specialist conducts a risk assessment at the workplace, informs employees and determines measures to prevent occupational accidents.
2. Presence of a Workplace Doctor: Less hazardous workplaces are obliged to employ an occupational physician or outsource this service. The occupational physician conducts regular health examinations of employees, prepares induction reports and assesses the health conditions of the workplace environment.
3. Risk Assessment: A risk assessment is required, taking into account the nature of the work and working conditions at the workplace. This assessment involves identifying potential hazards in the workplace and planning the measures to be taken against these risks.
4. Training and Information: Training employees on occupational health and safety is of great importance to prevent occupational accidents. Basic OHS training is mandatory for employees in less hazardous workplaces.
5. Emergency Plans: An emergency plan that includes the measures to be taken against emergencies such as fire and earthquake and evacuation procedures should be prepared and employees should be made to perform drills in line with this plan.

Conveniences for Small Businesses

As less hazardous workplaces are generally small-scale enterprises, the law provides some facilities and flexibilities for these workplaces. For example:

• Joint Health and Safety Units (JHSU): Less hazardous workplaces may outsource these services from OSGBs instead of employing occupational safety specialists and occupational physicians.
• Self-Service: In less hazardous workplaces with fewer than 50 employees, employers can undertake occupational health and safety services for their own workplaces after receiving specific training.

What is a Less Hazardous Workplace Class?

The Less Hazardous Law classifies workplaces into hazard classes according to their field of activity. In this distinction, workplaces are assessed according to the following three hazard classes:

1. Less Dangerous Workplace: Places that do not pose a high risk, usually offices, small-scale shops and retail businesses.
2. Dangerous Workplace: Workplace groups with moderate risk, where more complex and risky work is carried out.
3. Very Dangerous Workplace: Workplaces operating in areas prone to major accidents such as mining and construction.

Although workplace owners in the less dangerous class generally think that there are fewer administrative burdens in this order, the health and safety of employees is taken to the highest level thanks to the obligations imposed by the less dangerous law.

What the Less Dangerous Law Brings

As of 2025, the prominent obligations for businesses under the less hazardous law are as follows:

1. Occupational Safety Specialist Obligation: Experts who assess the risks present in the workplace and ensure that the necessary measures are taken.
2. Workplace Physician Obligation: Appointment of a physician to identify occupational health risks and protect employee health through periodic examinations.
3. Risk Assessment and Emergency Plans: Documents that need to be prepared specifically for each workplace.
4. Training Obligation: The obligation for employers to provide Occupational Health and Safety training to their employees.

This new regulation requires owners of less hazardous workplaces to operate a system in which it becomes mandatory for them to take and implement occupational health and safety measures, as was the case in previous periods.

Penalties for Not Complying with the Less Dangerous Law

In case of non-compliance with the law, employers may face serious administrative fines. Law No. 6331 has introduced deterrent regulations for businesses that do not comply with legal requirements. The details of administrative sanctions under the less dangerous law are as follows:

• Failure to have an Occupational Safety Expert or Occupational Physician.
• Penalties imposed on workplaces that do not conduct risk assessments.
• Sanctions for employers who neglect occupational health and safety trainings.

Benefits of the Less Dangerous Law for Workplaces and Employees

The Low Danger Law is more than just a legal obligation. It aims to create a healthy and safe workplace environment. The benefits of this system for most employers in the less hazardous class can be summarized as follows:

1. Increased Employee Productivity: The productivity of individuals working in a healthier and safer environment increases.
2. Reduced Legal Risks: Businesses that comply with the law are protected from criminal risks.
3. Strengthening Employer Branding: Businesses that care about occupational health and safety become more reputable in the eyes of employees and customers.
4. Reduced Accidents and Diseases: Occupational accidents and occupational diseases are prevented through professional measures.

Less Dangerous Law and OSGB Services

The easiest way to fulfill your obligations under the Less Dangerous Act is to utilize the services of a professional OSGB (Joint Health and Safety Unit). OSGBs offer the following services to businesses:

• Provision of Occupational Safety Specialist and Workplace Physician.
• Preparation of risk assessment reports.
• Providing Occupational Health and Safety trainings.
• Organizing emergency plans and drills.

With this professional support, you can both comply with the law and ensure that your business operates safely.

Although the Low Hazard Law imposes a new responsibility on businesses from 2025, it also provides an important opportunity to make workplaces healthier and safer. Fulfilling these obligations not only protects you from legal sanctions, but also increases employee satisfaction and your company's productivity.

You can benefit from our professional OSGB services to prepare your business in the best way within the scope of the least dangerous law and to act in accordance with your legal obligations. Contact us now and take your workplace into the future!