Industry-specific OHS solutions
OHS services for construction and building sites in Bursa
An OHS service that keeps risks current on a site that changes every day, managing scaffold, crane and machinery inspections, subcontractor coordination and worker health in one plan.
- Hazard class
- Site preparation is very hazardous
- Building scaffolds
- Inspected at least every 6 months
- Tower cranes
- Inspected by an accredited inspection body
- Specialist certificate
- Class A for very hazardous
Why is OHS on a construction site managed differently from a factory?
In a factory, the machine stays in place; on a construction site, the work area changes every week. Where excavation takes place today, formwork goes up tomorrow, and a month later a facade scaffold is erected. Teams from different subcontractors work at the same time, and each new phase brings a new set of risks. That is why OHS in construction is run not with documents prepared once and filed away, but with a live system that follows the site.
On the list renewed according to NACE Rev.2.1, site preparation (43.12.00) and the installation and maintenance of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (43.22.06 / 43.22.07) are in the very hazardous class. The very hazardous class brings the following obligations:
- A class A OHS specialist; at least 40 minutes of specialist time and 15 minutes of physician time per employee per month
- Assignment of other health personnel once the headcount reaches 10
- Annual periodic medical examinations and annual refresher training of at least 8 hours
- 16 hours of basic OHS training, of which at least 4 hours cover job-specific risks, face to face
- One first aider for every 10 employees
The risk assessment and emergency plan are renewed at least every 2 years; however, on a construction site, the assessment must be updated without waiting for that deadline whenever the work phase or method changes.
The main causes of serious accidents on construction sites are well known: falls from height, falling materials, trench collapses, being struck by machinery and electricity. The measures against these risks are also well established; the problem usually lies in applying them consistently. A guardrail is removed one day and not put back, the scaffold inspection record is not updated, or a newly arrived subcontractor team starts work without induction training.
In Bursa, in addition to residential, commercial and industrial building projects, renovation and extension work inside factories is also common. Construction work carried out inside an operating facility requires linking the OHS systems of both the business and the contractor.
On construction sites, Bursa Sistemer OSGB prepares a risk calendar based on the work schedule: which work starts in which week, when each scaffold will be inspected and which documents each subcontractor must bring are all tracked in this calendar.
The risks we encounter most often on site
Work at height
Falls at slab edges, lift shafts, roof and facade work are the risk with the most serious consequences. Collective protection such as guardrails, nets and covering openings comes first; safety harnesses and anchorages are complementary.
Scaffolding
Missing braces, guardrails and platform components, unstable ground and unauthorized alterations are the main causes of scaffold accidents. After erection or alteration, a scaffold must be inspected before use.
Tower cranes and lifting
Wind, overloading, standing under the load and incorrect slinging are the main hazards. The competence of the operator and signaller, load charts and wind limits are checked on site.
Excavation and collapse
Excavations without proper battering or shoring, and materials or machines stacked at the edge of the excavation, lead to collapses. Neighboring buildings and underground utility lines are also included in the assessment.
Earthmoving machinery and site traffic
Struck-by and crushing incidents occur when excavators, loaders and trucks reverse. Separating pedestrian and vehicle routes, banksmen and reversing alarms are critical measures.
Temporary electrical installations
Site distribution boards, extension cables and wet ground carry a risk of electric shock. Residual current protection, earthing and cable routing must be checked regularly.
Sample NACE codes and hazard classes
Your hazard class is determined by the NACE code in your Social Security Institution (SGK) registration. Examples of common codes in this industry:
| NACE | Activity | Hazard class |
|---|---|---|
| 43.12.00 | Site preparation | Very hazardous |
| 43.22.06 / 43.22.07 | Installation and maintenance of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) | Very hazardous |
If your code is not listed, send it to us and we will confirm it against the current official list. Calculate the obligations for your class →
Health surveillance and medical testing plan
On very hazardous construction sites, periodic medical examinations are carried out every year. The fitness-for-work assessment of those who will work at height is the most critical link of health surveillance on site.
Fitness for work at height
Conditions that may affect work at height, such as balance, vision, blood pressure and a history of loss of consciousness, are assessed at pre-employment; the physician determines the necessary tests for these employees on a risk basis.
Dust and chest X-ray
For those exposed to dust from breaking and cutting concrete and working with sand and cement, a chest X-ray in line with the ILO standard is taken; the physician sets its frequency.
Noise and vibration
If noise from breakers, compactors and machinery exceeds the 85 dB(A) upper exposure action value, an audiometry test is mandatory. Complaints are also asked about in those exposed to hand-arm vibration.
Heat, cold and fatigue
Outdoors, heat stress, sun and cold increase accident risk when combined with long hours and night work. The physician recommends seasonal measures based on the work schedule.
Periodic inspections to keep track of
- Building scaffolds: at least every 6 months
- Tower cranes: by an accredited inspection body
- Suspended access equipment (facade platforms): by an accredited inspection body
- Mast climbing work platforms: by an accredited inspection body from 01.01.2027
- Mobile cranes, aerial work platforms and slings: at least once a year
- Earthmoving machinery: at least once a year
- Load test: once a year; proof load test at most every 3 years
- Generators, site electrical installations and earthing: at least once a year
- Compressors and air receivers: once a year at operating pressure
- Portable fire extinguishers: at least once a year
Industry-specific training topics
- Work at height and use of safety harnesses
- Scaffold erection, use and daily checks
- Excavation safety and collapse risks
- Slinging and signalling
- Working safely around earthmoving machinery
- Temporary electrical installation safety
- Measures against falling materials
- Heat stress and outdoor work
How we apply our services in this industry
Documents you should have ready for an inspection
- Up-to-date risk assessment and revisions by work phase
- Specialist, physician and other health personnel assignments approved on İSG-KATİP (the Ministry’s OHS registration system)
- Health and safety plan, subcontractor documents and coordination minutes
- Scaffold periodic inspection reports (every 6 months)
- Inspection reports for tower cranes, cranes, earthmoving machinery and platforms
- Annual periodic examination forms and fitness-for-work reports
- Vocational training, operator certificates and basic OHS training records
- Emergency plan, team lists and drill form
- First aider certificates (1 per 10 employees)
- PPE issue records and safety harness checks
- Accident and near miss records; notifications to the Social Security Institution (SGK) within 3 working days
Areas where this industry is concentrated
Frequently asked questions
How often should scaffolds be inspected?
Under Annex III, renewed on 23 December 2025, the periodic inspection of building scaffolds is carried out at least every 6 months. The inspection is performed by an engineer, technical teacher, technician or senior technician registered on EKİPNET (the Ministry’s register of authorized inspectors); the contract is set up on İSG-KATİP (the Ministry’s OHS registration system) at least 1 day before the inspection. A periodic inspection does not replace the pre-use check: after a storm, an impact or an alteration, the scaffold must be re-examined before use.
Who is responsible for the OHS of subcontractor employees?
Each employer is responsible for the OHS of its own employees; however, employers sharing the same site must cooperate and coordinate on risks and measures. We recommend that the principal employer check subcontractors’ training, examination and assignment records before they enter the site. The health and safety plan and coordination requirements of the Regulation on OHS in Construction Works also apply. We prepare a subcontractor entry checklist tailored to your site.
Is other health personnel mandatory on a construction site?
For very hazardous work such as site preparation, you must assign other health personnel if you have 10 or more employees. The monthly time per employee is 10 minutes for 10–49 employees, 15 minutes for 50–249 employees and 20 minutes for 250 or more. If a full-time workplace physician is assigned, other health personnel are not required. Apprentices and interns are not counted in this time calculation. If your headcount changes with the work phase, the assignment must be updated accordingly.
Who should inspect a tower crane?
The periodic inspection of tower cranes must be carried out by accredited inspection bodies; the same requirement applies to suspended access equipment. From 1 January 2027, mast climbing work platforms also fall within this scope. Other equipment such as mobile cranes, slings and earthmoving machinery is inspected at least once a year by authorized persons registered on EKİPNET. A load test is carried out once a year; the proof load test is repeated at most every 3 years.
What should we do first if there is a workplace accident on site?
First, first aid is given to the injured person and 112 is called if necessary; the scene is preserved as far as possible until it has been investigated. A workplace accident is reported to the Social Security Institution (SGK) within 3 working days after the accident. A root cause analysis then follows, the risk assessment is updated and additional training is given to the employees concerned. Remember that other teams on the site do the same work; lessons learned must be shared across the whole site.
Can a newly arrived team start work on the first day?
Only after receiving induction training and once a fitness-for-work report has been issued. In the very hazardous class, no employee may start work without a fitness-for-work report. Induction training lasts at least 2 hours and is face to face and hands-on; it covers the site’s escape routes, assembly point, prohibited areas and that week’s high-risk work. Basic OHS training is completed within 3 months of starting work at the latest.