Cultural Transformation in Safety

Approximately 2.5 million people are exposed to work-related accidents or occupational diseases each year, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). Turkey ranks 9th globally in terms of fatal occupational accidents per 100,000 employees, based on ILOSTAT data. National studies show that about 2.3% of workers in Turkey are affected by workplace accidents annually, and the fatality rate is nearly five times higher than the EU average, highlighting a critical safety gap.

The manufacturing industry particularly food production faces increased risks due to fast-paced operations, seasonal labor dynamics, and complex machinery use. As a major food manufacturer, Ülker (part of pladis Türkiye) operates large-scale factories and warehouses, engaging thousands of employees and contractors across multiple locations.

In 2014, Ülker reported a Lost Time Accident Rate (LTAR) of 4.38, a figure that underscored the need for not only stronger safety controls but also a deeper, cultural shift. Internal assessments revealed that while legal compliance was being met, long-term improvement required employee ownership, behavioral change, and unified safety practices.

In response to these systemic challenges, pladis Türkiye launched the Cultural Transformation in Safety initiative to embed safety into its organizational culture and drive sustainable change across all operations.

Like in many countries, Turkey enforces occupational safety regulations that organizations are legally required to follow. pladis Türkiye, fully complies with these standards and has long implemented routine safety controls. By 2023, the company set a new safety vision of “Zero Accident” emphasizing that a true transformation required embedding safety as a core cultural value, shifting from a reactive mindset to a proactive, prevention-first approach across all levels of the organization. The goal was not merely to create a safer workplace, but to make safety a shared mindset, deeply rooted in organizational culture.

To lead this change, pladis Türkiye accelerated its Cultural Transformation in Safety initiative under three strategic pillars:

1) Behavior-Based Safety Culture
2) Risk Management and Preventive Systems:
3) Digital Safety Platforms