Seven Criteria to Check When Choosing an OSGB

Choosing a joint health and safety unit (OSGB) is a partnership with which an employer will carry out its OHS obligations for years. Looking only at the lowest price can come back as missing documents at inspection and real lack of protection on site. Here are seven criteria to check when deciding.

1. Is the authorisation certificate valid?

The OSGB must hold an authorisation certificate from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. Check its validity in the list published by the Ministry and in the ISG-KATİP system. A contract with an OSGB whose authorisation has expired or been withdrawn does not release the employer from its obligation.

2. Who will come and for how long?

The contract must state the name, class and monthly visit time of the assigned specialist and physician. If a time below the minimum minutes prescribed by the regulation for your headcount and hazard class is written in the contract, it creates problems at inspection and lowers the level of protection at your workplace.

3. Does the price fall below the Ministry's schedule?

The Ministry publishes a minimum fee schedule for OSGB services. An organisation quoting below this schedule will either perform the contract incompletely or expose you to legal risk. When you receive a quote ask what it corresponds to in the schedule.

4. On site or at a desk?

Call one of the reference workplaces and ask whether the specialist really comes on site, makes notes in the findings book and whether training takes place on time. A good OSGB plans visit dates at the start of the year and shares visit notes with you.

5. Who prepares which documents?

Clarify whether the risk assessment, emergency plan, annual work and training plans, annual evaluation report and training records are in scope. Some quotes present these documents as an "extra service".

6. Is there a portal or reporting for follow-up?

A portal where you can easily follow document validity dates, training renewal times and examination dates prevents legal deadlines from being missed.

7. Are the exit terms clear?

The contract term, notice period and the transfer of records via ISG-KATİP must be clearly written. When changing authorised provider your documents must be handed over to you in full.

At Esenlik OSGB all seven items are written in the contract. If you send us your headcount and hazard class we can send a written package quote within 24 hours.

A short summary for deciding

A suitable OSGB is one whose authorisation is valid, whose visit durations are written in the contract, whose price does not fall below the schedule, whose document responsibilities are clear and which offers a way of following up. If one of two quotes is vague on these points, the apparently low price is later balanced by extra fees. Placing the quotes side by side with the same headcount and class assumptions makes comparison easier.