Profile of occupational health services for healthcare cleaners at a tertiary hospital in Gauteng Province, South Africa
1
Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoia, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3747
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Healthcare cleaners are important frontline health workers (HC), entrusted with maintaining a clean and safe healthcare environment to minimize nosocomial infections and support the health systems objectives. Healthcare cleaning chemicals contain hazardous substances, which if not properly controlled and managed, may cause serious acute and chronic adverse health effects. Occupational health services (OHS) integral part of primary healthcare (PHC) adapted to occupational health risks, and include screening, diagnostic, curative, and rehabilitative services to safeguard workers’ well-being. OHS coverage is crucial for advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which are key indicators of health systems performance. Global OHS coverage is poor at 15%. South Africa’s OHS coverage is 29%, with the most shortfall reported in the government departments.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Gauteng Province in November 2025. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on participants’ demographic characteristics and profile of OHS activities provided for the cleaners, e.g., the type of examinations or tests performed, reporting of chemical related incidents, surveillance of chemical induced symptoms, chemical safety training, risk assessment, and the type of personal protective equipment (PPE). STATA 17 software was used for data analysis.
RESULTS:
11 OH personnel comprising assistant nurses, enrolled nurses, occupational health nurses, occupational medical practitioners and environmental health officers, participated in the study, yielding a 64.7% response rate. There were inconsistent findings regarding the provision of medical surveillance. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) and skin patch tests were not performed to rule out atopy. There were divergent findings regarding provision of chemical safety training, risk assessment, record keeping, and the type of personal protective equipment.
CONCLUSIONS:
The limited categories of OH professionals and OHS activities for cleaners suggest substandard OHS coverage and legislative compliance in the management of healthcare cleaning chemicals.
Healthcare cleaners are important frontline health workers (HC), entrusted with maintaining a clean and safe healthcare environment to minimize nosocomial infections and support the health systems objectives. Healthcare cleaning chemicals contain hazardous substances, which if not properly controlled and managed, may cause serious acute and chronic adverse health effects. Occupational health services (OHS) integral part of primary healthcare (PHC) adapted to occupational health risks, and include screening, diagnostic, curative, and rehabilitative services to safeguard workers’ well-being. OHS coverage is crucial for advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which are key indicators of health systems performance. Global OHS coverage is poor at 15%. South Africa’s OHS coverage is 29%, with the most shortfall reported in the government departments.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Gauteng Province in November 2025. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on participants’ demographic characteristics and profile of OHS activities provided for the cleaners, e.g., the type of examinations or tests performed, reporting of chemical related incidents, surveillance of chemical induced symptoms, chemical safety training, risk assessment, and the type of personal protective equipment (PPE). STATA 17 software was used for data analysis.
RESULTS:
11 OH personnel comprising assistant nurses, enrolled nurses, occupational health nurses, occupational medical practitioners and environmental health officers, participated in the study, yielding a 64.7% response rate. There were inconsistent findings regarding the provision of medical surveillance. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) and skin patch tests were not performed to rule out atopy. There were divergent findings regarding provision of chemical safety training, risk assessment, record keeping, and the type of personal protective equipment.
CONCLUSIONS:
The limited categories of OH professionals and OHS activities for cleaners suggest substandard OHS coverage and legislative compliance in the management of healthcare cleaning chemicals.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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