Industry-specific OHS solutions
OHS for textile and apparel businesses in Bursa
Weaving halls, dyehouses and sewing lines belong to the same sector, yet their hazard classes and risks differ. We build your OHS plan around your process.
- Apparel (14.21.01)
- Less hazardous
- Weaving and dyeing
- Hazardous class
- 2025 list
- Bleaching and dyeing now hazardous
- Steam boilers
- Inspection by accredited bodies from 2027
One textile sector, three different OHS profiles
Bursa is one of the long-established centers of textile production: spinning and weaving mills, dyeing and finishing plants concentrated in zones such as TOSAB (the Bursa specialized organized industrial zone for textile dyehouses), and apparel workshops spread across the city are links in the same supply chain. From an OHS perspective, however, these links are very different from one another.
In the list renewed on 13 March 2025 under NACE Rev.2.1, outerwear manufacturing (14.21.01) is less hazardous and cotton weaving (13.20.16) is hazardous. Bleaching and dyeing of textiles (13.30.01), which was very hazardous in the 2012 list, has been moved to the hazardous class in the new list. If your dyehouse is still planned as very hazardous, it is time to confirm your class against the current list: the required specialist certificate, the medical examination interval and the training frequency may all have changed. A lower class, however, does not mean the chemical, steam and hot-surface risks are any smaller.
There is no relief for a less hazardous apparel workshop either: with the Constitutional Court decision published on 9 December 2025, the provision postponing the obligation to appoint a workplace physician and an OHS specialist in less hazardous workplaces with fewer than 50 employees was annulled. Small sewing workshops are now also subject to these obligations.
Common issues across the sector:
- Continuously high noise in weaving halls
- Cotton dust and airborne fibers in spinning and weaving
- Dyestuffs, auxiliary chemicals, hot water and steam in dyehouses
- Repetitive movements, prolonged sitting and needle injuries in apparel production
- A high fire load from fabric, yarn and packaging in all areas
Bursa Sistemer OSGB prepares a separate risk assessment section for each process in textile businesses, verifies your hazard class against the current list, and sets training hours, examination intervals and the required specialist certificate class accordingly.
The risks we encounter most often on site
Noise in weaving halls
In halls with weaving looms, noise is often above the upper exposure action value. The limit value of 87 dB(A), taking the effect of hearing protection into account, must not be exceeded under any circumstances.
Cotton dust and fibers
Organic dust generated in yarn preparation, carding and weaving can cause respiratory complaints. Dust measurements and the efficiency of the extraction system form the basis of the chest X-ray plan.
Chemicals in the dyehouse
Dyestuffs, acids and alkalis, reducing agents and bleaches pose risks of skin and eye burns and respiratory sensitization. Dosing, labeling and chemical storage arrangements are critical.
Steam, hot water and hot surfaces
Dyeing machines, stenters and steam lines pose scalding and burn risks. Pressure and temperature release must be verified before opening lids, taking samples or carrying out maintenance.
Sewing-line ergonomics
Neck, shoulder and wrist disorders are common in sewing work done seated for long periods in short cycles. Chair and table height, lighting and break schedules are addressed together.
Fire load
Fabric, yarn, fiber dust and packaging materials allow fire to spread rapidly. Storage layout, dust cleaning, electrical panels and escape routes are inspected 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 14.21.01 | Outerwear (apparel) | Less hazardous |
| 13.20.16 | Cotton weaving | Hazardous |
| 13.30.01 | Bleaching and dyeing of textiles (very hazardous in the 2012 list) | 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
Periodic medical examinations are carried out at least every 5 years in apparel and at least every 3 years in weaving and dyehouses. For child, young and pregnant workers the interval is at most 6 months; the physician shortens intervals where necessary.
Hearing surveillance for weavers
Audiometry is mandatory in halls where the upper exposure action value of 85 dB(A) is exceeded. The pre-employment test serves as an important baseline so that later results can be compared.
Lungs and dust exposure
Workers exposed to cotton and fiber dust receive chest X-rays conforming to the ILO standard; the physician sets the frequency. The need for spirometry is also a risk-based decision of the physician.
Skin and respiratory health in the dyehouse
Skin and respiratory complaints are specifically asked about during examinations of workers handling dyestuffs and auxiliary chemicals; the physician plans additional tests based on safety data sheets and measurements.
Young and pregnant workers
Young and pregnant workers receive periodic medical examinations at least every 6 months. When a pregnancy is reported, the physician reassesses the suitability of the job and any adjustments needed.
Periodic inspections to keep track of
- Steam boilers and hot-water boilers: at least once a year; for steam boilers, by an accredited inspection body from 1 January 2027
- Compressors and air receivers: once a year at operating pressure, and at test pressure at least every 3 years
- Forklifts and pallet trucks (yarn and fabric warehouses): at least once a year
- Conveyors and fabric handling systems: at least once a year
- Ventilation and dust extraction systems: at least once a year
- Indoor electrical installation and earthing: at least once a year
- Generators and transformers: at least once a year
- Fire detection, sprinklers, hydrants and extinguishers: at least once a year
- Industrial racking and doors: at least once a year
Industry-specific training topics
- Noise and use of hearing protection
- Chemical preparation and spill response in the dyehouse
- Safety on steam lines and pressure equipment
- Needle and belt guards on sewing machines
- Ergonomics for seated work
- Dust accumulation, electrical safety and fire prevention
- Manual handling of fabric bolts and rolls
- Using fire extinguishers and evacuation
How we apply our services in this industry
Documents you should have ready for an inspection
- Current hazard class determined from the NACE code in your SGK registration
- Process-based risk assessment and team appointment letter
- Noise and dust workplace measurement reports
- Inspection reports for steam boilers, compressors and pressure vessels
- Inventory of dyestuffs and auxiliary chemicals, current safety data sheets (SDS)
- Annex 2 (EK-2) examination forms; examination records for young and pregnant workers
- Induction and basic OHS training records, test results
- Emergency plan, evacuation maps and drill form
- Fire extinguishing equipment inspection records
- PPE issue records (hearing protection, gloves, safety glasses)
Areas where this industry is concentrated
Frequently asked questions
Our dyehouse used to be very hazardous; is it still?
Most likely not. Bleaching and dyeing of textiles (13.30.01) was moved to the hazardous class in the list renewed on 13 March 2025. This change affects the required specialist certificate class (at least B), the periodic medical examination interval (at least every 3 years), the refresher training frequency (every 2 years) and the need for other health personnel. However, if your workplace carries out another very hazardous main activity, the higher class applies. We check your Social Security Institution (SGK) registration and recalculate your obligations.
We are a small apparel workshop; do we have to appoint a physician and a specialist?
Yes. With the Constitutional Court decision published on 9 December 2025, the postponement for less hazardous workplaces with fewer than 50 employees was removed. These workshops can obtain physician and specialist services from an OSGB (a licensed joint health and safety unit). If the employer or their representative completes the training prescribed by the Ministry, they may also carry out the service themselves; pre-employment and periodic examinations, however, are excluded from this. In addition, monthly service time may be combined within the same contract year.
Are earmuffs enough in the weaving hall, or is a hearing test required?
It depends on the measurement result. At the lower exposure action value of 80 dB(A), hearing protectors are made available to workers; at the upper exposure action value of 85 dB(A), their use is mandatory and audiometry is carried out. The limit value of 87 dB(A), taking the effect of the protector into account, must never be exceeded. Hearing protection should therefore be selected according to the measured level, and the priority should be loom maintenance and noise reduction at source.
What changes in 2027 for the inspection of our steam boiler?
Under Annex III, renewed on 23 December 2025, periodic inspections of steam boilers will be carried out by accredited inspection bodies from 1 January 2027. The maximum inspection interval remains once a year; the pressure test is performed once a year at operating pressure and at test pressure at least every 3 years. If your next inspection falls in 2027, we recommend arranging a contract now with a body that meets this requirement.
How many hours of basic OHS training are required in textiles?
Under the regulation published on 2 April 2026, basic OHS training is at least 8 class hours in less hazardous apparel and at least 12 class hours in hazardous weaving and dyehouses, and must be completed within 3 months of starting work at the latest. In the hazardous class, the job-specific risks module is delivered face to face. Refresher training is held every 3 years in apparel and every 2 years in weaving and dyehouses, and lasts at least 8 hours each time.
How can we reduce ergonomic risks on the sewing line?
Sewing operators spend most of the day in the same posture. Adjustable chair and table height, the position of the foot pedal, the reach distance to the workpiece and good lighting are the first steps. Short micro-breaks and rotation between operations spread the load on the neck and shoulders. We add the ergonomic assessment to the risk assessment as a separate section and feed the musculoskeletal complaints identified by the physician during examinations back into the line layout.