Introduction This study aims to examine the job satisfaction of occupational safety experts working in Joint Health and Safety Units (JHSUs) in Turkiye, and to identify the associated factors, including perceived competence, workload, support, and training.

Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in September 2024 using an online questionnaire. A total of 102 occupational safety experts participated. The survey included sociodemographic questions, the Job Satisfaction Questionnaire, and the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. Chi-square, post-hoc power, and regression analyses were used to explore associations between variables and job satisfaction.

Results The findings indicated that mental wellbeing, perceived competence, managerial support, and the ability to fulfill job requirements were significantly associated with higher job satisfaction. Perceived adequacy of training and concerns about job security also played a role. Despite expectations, increasing years of experience and certification class did not correspond with increased job satisfaction, suggesting that experience alone may not enhance perceived competence. The overall sample was skewed toward more experienced and highly engaged professionals, with underrepresentation of C class certified experts.

Conclusion The study provides insights into factors influencing job satisfaction among occupational safety experts and highlights the role of psychological and organizational dynamics beyond demographic characteristics. The findings underline the need for targeted strategies to improve training quality, support mechanisms, and working conditions. Furthermore, such research contributes to a broader understanding of how differing national OHS practices impact the job satisfaction and competencies of safety professionals.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

This study did not receive any funding

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The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Ethics Committee of Hacettepe University gave ethical approval for this work.

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All data produced in the present study are available upon reasonable request to the authors