OHS Obligations of Less Hazardous Workplaces

What is the less hazardous class, and who falls into it?

The obligations of less hazardous workplaces are the lightest set of obligations in the legislation; but light does not mean non-existent. Your hazard class is determined by the NACE code of the main activity carried out at your workplace; if there is more than one main activity, the higher class applies. The list of hazard classes was completely renewed on 13 March 2025 in line with NACE Rev.2.1.

Some verified examples of activities in the less hazardous class in the 2025 list:

• Software (62.10.00),
• Accounting (69.20.02),
• Business consultancy (70.20.01),
• Manufacture of outerwear (14.21.01),
• Bread making (10.71.02).

The last two examples surprise many employers: even with sewing machines or ovens, these activities are in the less hazardous class. To find your own code, see our article on how to find your hazard class.

With the Constitutional Court decision published in the Official Gazette on 9 December 2025, the provision postponing the obligations for less hazardous workplaces with fewer than 50 workers was annulled. These workplaces are now also fully covered; details are in our article on OHS in workplaces with fewer than 50 workers.

Less hazardous workplace obligations in one table

The table below brings together the obligations in the less hazardous class that do and do not change with the number of workers.

Sources for the table: Law No. 6331 on Occupational Health and Safety Art. 6, 8, 15, 20 and 22; Regulation on OHS Services Art. 5 and 11; Art. 12 of the workplace physician and OHS specialist regulations; the 2026 training regulation; and the risk assessment, emergency and first aid regulations.

Note one detail on training: the first three topic groups of basic training can be delivered remotely in every class; the fourth topic group, covering risks specific to the job and the workplace, can also be delivered remotely in less hazardous workplaces. The time allocated to this group is at least 2 hours in the less hazardous class.

The 50-worker threshold: what changes?

When a less hazardous workplace hires its 50th worker, five things change at once:

1. The employer can no longer provide the service itself. In less hazardous workplaces with fewer than 50 workers, the employer or employer's representative can, after completing the training announced by the Ministry, provide OHS services other than pre-employment and periodic examinations. At 50 this route closes; without specialist and physician certificates, an appointment or an OSGB (joint health and safety unit) is required.
2. Combining hours ends. In less hazardous workplaces with fewer than 50 workers, the employer and service providers can combine monthly hours or set service intervals within the same contract year. At 50, the service is provided every month.
3. Health reports are obtained from the workplace physician only. The option of ÇASMER, a family doctor or another public health facility is for less hazardous workplaces with fewer than 50 workers.
4. An OHS committee is set up. A committee is mandatory in workplaces with 50 or more workers where continuous work lasting more than 6 months is carried out.
5. Penalties are increased. In less hazardous workplaces with 50 or more workers, administrative fines are applied with a 50% increase; below 50 there is no increase. The increase does not apply to fines calculated per worker.

In addition, in workplaces with 50 or more workers, the employer provides two rooms of at least 8 m² for the physician and specialist, and a suitable vehicle for reaching the nearest health unit in an emergency. In workplaces with fewer than 50 workers, a suitable place to work is sufficient.

Calculating the hours: two examples

Example 1: an accounting firm with 18 workers. Specialist 18 × 10 = 180 minutes, or 3 hours a month; physician 18 × 5 = 90 minutes, or 1.5 hours a month. Since hours can be combined, a 9-hour specialist visit every three months could be planned, for example. 1 first aider and 1 employee representative are needed; for emergencies, 1 support staff member per team is sufficient.

Example 2: a software company with 120 workers. Specialist 120 × 10 = 1,200 minutes, or 20 hours a month; physician 120 × 5 = 600 minutes, or 10 hours a month; no combining. 120 ÷ 20 = 6 first aiders and 3 employee representatives are needed, and an OHS committee is set up. For each of the firefighting, rescue and protection teams, 120 ÷ 50 = 2.4, rounded up to 3 support staff, are appointed.

You can see your own figures with the OHS obligation calculator. For full-time appointments and the calculation for additional workers, see our article on physician and specialist working hours; for the number of support staff, see our emergency plan guide.

Obligations often overlooked in less hazardous workplaces

Deficiencies frequently found at inspections in offices, shops and service businesses are:

• Induction training. The at least 2-hour face-to-face training given to a new worker on their first day is documented with a signed record; it does not count towards basic training hours.
• Emergency plan and drills. "We're a small office" is not a valid excuse; a plan, teams and an annual drill are mandatory for every workplace.
• Periodic inspections. The internal electrical installation and earthing, and portable fire extinguishers, are inspected at least once a year unless the standard sets a shorter period.
• Cleaning chemicals. Even in an office, the safety data sheets and storage rules for cleaning products are needed; details are in our article on working with chemical agents.
• Risk assessment on change. A move, new equipment or a workplace accident requires renewal without waiting for the 6-year period.

Risk of penalties

Being less hazardous does not remove penalties. Based on the 2026 base amounts, failing to appoint a specialist or physician costs 111,263 TL for each person not appointed, and the same amount every month the breach continues; failing to carry out a risk assessment costs 66,725 TL, and 100,119 TL every month the breach continues; failing to provide training costs 8,980 TL per worker. In a less hazardous workplace with fewer than 50 workers these amounts apply without increase; at 50 and above they are increased by 50%. For example, if a less hazardous workplace with 60 workers has no risk assessment, the first fine is 66,725 × 1.5 = 100,087.50 TL. You can calculate the other items with our OHS administrative fines tool.

From our centre in Nilüfer, we provide OHS specialist and workplace physician services to offices, shops and service businesses in Bursa and the surrounding provinces; in other words, to less hazardous workplaces. Risks specific to office and retail businesses are on our office and retail page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an OHS specialist mandatory in a less hazardous workplace?

Yes. Every less hazardous workplace must appoint an OHS specialist holding at least a class C certificate to provide at least 10 minutes of service per worker per month. In workplaces with fewer than 50 workers, the employer can also provide this service themselves after completing the Ministry training.

How often must the risk assessment be renewed in the less hazardous class?

At least every 6 years. In situations such as a move, new equipment or technology, a change in production methods, a workplace accident, an occupational disease or a near miss, it is renewed without waiting for the period to expire.

How long is training in the less hazardous class?

Basic training is at least 8 class hours and is completed within 3 months of starting work at the latest; refresher training of at least 8 hours is given every 3 years. In addition, every new worker receives at least 2 hours of induction training on their first day.

Does a less hazardous workplace need other health personnel?

No. Other health personnel (DSP) are only mandatory in very hazardous workplaces with 10 or more workers.