Firefighting is outside the scope of the current OHS law!

In the wake of the forest fire disaster that plunged Türkiye into mourning, the risks of firefighting and existing safety standards have come under scrutiny. The tragic forest fire in Eskişehir Seyitgazi, which claimed 10 lives, has once again brought to the forefront the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) rights of the brave heroes who fight the flames on the front lines.

Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Dr. Nuri Bingöl emphasized that the biggest underlying issue behind such tragedies is that firefighting is left “outside the scope” of the current OHS law. He stated: “In Law No. 6331 on Occupational Safety, the intervention activities of emergency and disaster units are unfortunately excluded from the scope. The danger level of those working in firefighting operations is far beyond the ‘very dangerous’ category, which is defined as the highest risk level in OHS legislation. If a new category were to be created, we could call it the ‘extremely dangerous category,’ but unfortunately, no such category exists.”

Dr. Nuri Bingöl, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Üsküdar University and an OHS expert, evaluated the issue of occupational health and safety following the deaths of 10 people who are 5 forest workers and 5 AKUT members and who were battling the forest fire in Eskişehir Seyitgazi.

Intervention activities are outside the legal scope

Dr. Nuri Bingöl emphasized that one of the biggest dangers faced by "firefighters of the forest" is the fact that their work is not fully defined under the law. He stated: “First of all, it should be noted that forest fires, and all types of fires for that matter, are not directly mentioned in the occupational health and safety legislation. According to Law No. 6331 on Occupational Safety, the intervention activities of emergency and disaster units are unfortunately outside its scope. The danger class of those working to combat such fires is far beyond the ‘very dangerous’ category, which is defined as the highest danger level in OHS legislation. If a new category were to be created, we could call it the ‘extremely dangerous class,’ but unfortunately, such a category does not exist.”

New personnel should not be on the front lines

Stating that while training programs do exist, experience and proper task assignment are the real determining factors in the field, Dr. Nuri Bingöl said: “Special training is, of course, provided to those who fight fires, whether they are part of the fire brigade or forest workers. There is a training center in Antalya where simulation-based, practical, and escape and rescue exercises are conducted regularly. However, the most important thing is this: As far as I know, including fire brigades, new personnel are generally not placed on the front lines in firefighting efforts; usually, experienced teams are deployed. Those who are relatively new and inexperienced are tasked with cooling operations after the fire is extinguished. This is the correct approach.”

Clearing dry grass before the fire reaches it is crucial

Highlighting that in forest fires, in addition to water, which is always the primary weapon, the clearing of dry grass (called the “underlayer”), which ignites more easily and accelerates the spread of fire, is critical, Dr. Nuri Bingöl said: “Clearing dry grass with bulldozers, graders, or similar vehicles before the fire reaches it, and opening access roads for the intervention teams, is of great importance. Compared to urban fires, forest fires generally occur in steep, rocky, and inaccessible terrain. Therefore, having a good knowledge of the topographic structure of the land, obtaining support from local residents, and including forest workers who know the area well in the intervention are of vital importance.”

Wind is one of the most critical factors in forest fires

Addressing some misconceptions commonly held by the public, Dr. Bingöl stressed that neither equipment nor planning can provide absolute protection at all times, especially given the dynamic nature of forest fires, which increases risks.

Dr. Nuri Bingöl concluded: “Let me correct a misconception: There is no such thing as ‘fireproof clothing,’ only ‘heat-resistant clothing.’ When the fire reaches extreme levels, this clothing will not save anyone in any way. One of the most critical factors in forest fires is wind. Imagine that a path is opened for a team to advance where there was no road. If the wind suddenly changes direction and blocks this newly opened path, escape may become impossible. Anticipating this during risk assessment is of vital importance. Therefore, the commander managing the fire must be highly experienced and knowledgeable in this matter.”

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)