Occupational Health And Safety In The Context Of Unions Affiliated With Disk

The historical evolution of industrialization has led to significant transformations in production processes. As this progression moved from manual labor to automation and eventually to digitalization, the understanding of occupational health and safety (OHS) also underwent major changes. Integrating digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and smart systems into production has accelerated workflows but introduced new risk areas within the working environment. Historically, trade unions have played a critical role in preventing occupational accidents and diseases and remain fundamental actors in protecting workers' rights and promoting safety measures. The unionization process in Türkiye began in the late Ottoman period and was shaped by various legal regulations during the Republican era. During this period, the labor movement had a direct impact on OHS developments. Notably, DISK (Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Türkiye) and its affiliated unions have garnered attention through their OHS-related initiatives, the inclusion of specific provisions in collective labor agreements, and institutional arrangements at workplaces. This study explores the approaches of DISK-affiliated unions to occupational health and safety, their operational practices, and their historical contributions. It aims to highlight the determining influence of unionization in the development of OHS standards.