Abstract
Introduction:
hospital laundry workers are widely exposed to different occupational hazards due to the peculiar characteristics of their work environment.
Objective:
to identify workers' experiences and perceptions of their working conditions. Method: qualitative research conducted with workers from the laundry of a large public hospital. The research data were collected and analyzed through focus group technique and content analysis.
Results:
the perceived hazards were identified and analyzed into three categories: 1. Daily work hazards, with the subcategories Ergonomic hazards (work intensification; excessive work hours; demand for production; and absence of breaks), Physical hazards (noise; heat), Biological hazards (handing of biological material), and Puncture or laceration accidents; 2. Work organization; 3. Workers' suggestions to improve working conditions.
Conclusion:
the several occupational hazards encountered in the hospital laundry were directly related to the environmental and organizational conditions. Implementing collective control measures and strategies to change work organization is necessary to prevent accidents and diseases and promote hospital laundry workers' health.
Keywords:
occupational hazards; worker's health; occupational health; hospital laundry service