What Is a Worker Health Center (ÇASMER)?

Definition of ÇASMER

The Worker Health Center (ÇASMER) is defined in Art.4 of the Occupational Health and Safety Services Regulation as “a unit affiliated with the Ministry of Health, authorized under Law No. 6331 to provide occupational health and safety services to workplaces, and possessing the necessary equipment and personnel.”

Who Authorizes a ÇASMER?

For occupational health and safety services, both the Joint Health and Safety Unit (OSGB) and the ÇASMER are authorized only by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Law 6331 Art.3/1-t; Art.17/7). A ÇASMER is a public institution affiliated with the Ministry of Health; the procedures for its authorization and supervision are set by a circular prepared jointly by the two ministries. ÇASMERs may provide workplace physician and other healthcare staff services.

Performing medical examinations at a fixed examination site or with a mobile occupational health vehicle requires a separate permit. For both OSGBs and ÇASMERs this permit is issued by the provincial health directorate on behalf of the Ministry of Health, and the application must include the authorization certificate issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (Medical Examinations Regulation Art.5/2, Art.16/1-b). Examination standards are set jointly by the two ministries (Art.21/1).

Difference Between ÇASMER and OSGB

	ÇASMER	OSGB
OHS authorization	Ministry of Labour and Social Security	Ministry of Labour and Social Security
Affiliation / founder	Public institution affiliated with the Ministry of Health	Founded by a public body, organized industrial zone or company
Scope	Workplace physician + healthcare staff	Full OHS (including occupational safety expert)
Medical examination permit (fixed site / mobile vehicle)	Ministry of Health (provincial health directorate); prerequisite: Ministry of Labour authorization certificate	Ministry of Health (provincial health directorate); prerequisite: Ministry of Labour authorization certificate