A contractor in the central province of Kayseri astounded social media users when he released a set of photos showing him on the scaffolding of a high-rise building under construction.
Feridun Doğan was seen alone on the edge of the wooden scaffolding, striking a confident pose in four photos and posed with a worker in the same spot. Both men were not wearing safety belts and had not taken any other safety measures.
Replying to his social media followers about the risk of falling down, Doğan wrote: "Don't worry brother, it is only 30 meters from the ground."
Safety in the construction sectors, one of the most dangerous, is a source of concern as scores are killed in accidents every year in Turkey. Turkey has regulations in place to ensure work safety, but accidents still regularly claim lives. Last year, 10 workers were killed when an elevator crashed to the ground from the 32nd floor of an unfinished skyscraper in Istanbul.
Authorities blame profit-driven companies for negligence in work safety by ignoring the need to invest in safety measures. Though the elevator accident in Istanbul raised awareness about the issue, media reports indicate safety negligence is still quite common, as evident by photos and videos that show construction workers on tall buildings without nets, belts or other safety measures.
