Determining The Awareness Level of Catering Employees in Terms of Occupational Health and Safety

Abstract

Catering businesses have a busy and dynamic working environment and involve various risks in food preparation and presentation. Therefore, it is of great importance that employees are aware of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and can take the necessary precautions. This research aims to determine the awareness level of employees in catering businesses about OHS. The sample of the research consists of 185 employees working in catering businesses operating in the city of Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, and who volunteered to participate in the research. Survey technique was used to obtain data. Since the surveys were administered personally by the researcher between February and March 2024, volunteers participated in the research. The obtained data were evaluated in a statistical package program. While "frequence" and "percentage" values were used to evaluate demographic and occupational data of the participants, "Independent-Samples T Test" was used to evaluate OHS knowledge levels and practices. As a result of the research; it has been concluded that OHS trainings have a positive effect on creating OHS awareness among employees and that employees are high on OHS definitions and processes and personal protection measures, but low on legislation issues. According to the research results; it has been suggested that OHS training should be given to new hires and that a specialist in the field responsible for OHS should be employed in businesses.