Assessing Occupational Health and Safety Education and OHS Awareness Among Faculty of Architecture Students

The construction industry is inherently high-risk, necessitating heightened safety awareness among architects, construction engineers, and other professionals. The role of safety and health coordinators has become crucial due to the specialization and frequent movement of workers among multiple contracting partners, posing significant safety challenges. Occupational health and safety (OHS) education aims to create safe workplace environments, reduce occupational diseases and accidents, inform employees of their rights, and implement necessary precautions. Despite legislative efforts to include OHS courses in higher education, it is vital to evaluate the effectiveness of these programs in fostering a robust safety culture. This study assesses the level of OHS education and student awareness at Çankaya University's Faculty of Architecture. A descriptive survey model was employed, with data collected via a Likert scale-based survey administered to 287 fourth-year students in the Departments of Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Urban and Regional Planning. The survey measured students' OHS awareness across various dimensions, including theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and attitudes towards workplace safety. The findings provide insights into the current state of OHS awareness among students and inform future educational strategies.