Occupational risks in hospital cleaning work: perceptions from specialists in workers' safety and health

Abstract

Objective: to characterize occupational risks in the labor context of hospital cleaning service workers and discuss their implications for the work process, as perceived by specialists in occupational safety and health. Method: in this exploratory, qualitative study with specialists in the area of worker safety and health, data were obtained, in the first half of 2020, through semi-structured interviews, recorded in digital media, and subjected to categorical thematic content analysis. The study was approved by the research ethics committee, and free and informed consent was obtained from the participants. Results: the experts confirmed the risks of the hospital work environment, in addition to the cleaning service workers’ high workloads. Final considerations: the experts' perceptions demonstrated the existence of different types of occupational hazards. Also highlighted were the lack of knowledge of the risks, the workers’ vulnerability and the precariousness of their working conditions.