![]() According to some studies, exposure to these chemical substances has caused hospital cleaning workers to suffer from occupational diseases such as occupational asthma and occupational contact dermatitis. ![]() They can be considered to be the cause of some respiratory (asthma, vaginitis), skin (dermatitis), fertility, and cardiovascular disorders. Many of these hazardous chemicals have corrosiveness, irritation, flammability, and oxidation properties. ![]() It is estimated that each cleaning worker uses about 110 kg of hazardous chemicals per year, depending on the nature of his job. In the meantime, cleaning workers are one of the users who, due to the nature of their job (cleaning the surfaces and work environment from many types of pollution), are among the jobs exposed to the risks of chemical substances. Considering the health risks of employees' exposure to chemical substances, it is necessary to have a minimum perception and awareness of the risks of using and being exposed to these substances in related occupational groups. According to their usage and importance, chemicals are used in industrial and non-industrial environments and small and large workshops. The emergence of new technologies, the use of chemicals, and the properties of some solvents have caused significant changes in the use of materials in processes and the type of activities in the workplace. ConclusionĪccording to the obtained results, it is recommended to take the necessary measures to increase the employees' perception of the signs of chemical substances and improve their safety culture. Furthermore, there is a direct and significant relationship between the overall score of safety culture and the overall perception of the symptoms of GHS (CC = 0.313, P = 0.009). The levels of "Work environment" (83.8%) and "Information exchange" (76.5%) had the highest and lowest positive scores for safety culture. In addition, it was found that 55 people (80.9%) had an overall positive attitude toward the safety culture. Among the investigated signs, "Flammable substances" and "Harmful to the environment" signs had the highest, and "Skin irritant" signs had the lowest correct perception. This study showed that the participant's correct perception in nine cases (81.8%) of presented GHS signs was lower than the ANSI Z535.3 standard. Data were analyzed using regression and Pearson correlation tests. After ensuring the confidentiality of the received information and completing the demographic information checklist, each participant completed Global Harmonization System (GHS) sign perception and the safety culture questionnaires in this survey. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 with the participation of 68 cleaning workers with the mean age ± (SD) and work experience ± (SD) of 36.19 ± (7.619) and 9.21 ± (5.462), respectively, in four selected Tehran hospitals in Iran. ![]() This study aimed to evaluate the safety culture and perception of hospital cleaning workers' warning signs of chemical hazards. Due to the type of activities and the long-term exposure to chemicals, hospital cleaning workers require the necessary knowledge about the chemicals used and proper safety culture.
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