BackgroundGoal-oriented communication of risk of hazards is necessary in order to reduce risk of workers' exposure to chemicals. Adequate training of workers and enterprise priority setting are essential elements. Cleaning enterprises have many challenges and the existing paradigms influence the risk levels of these enterprises.MethodsInformation on organization and enterprises' prioritization in training programs was gathered from cleaning enterprises. A measure of enterprises' conceptual level of importance of chemical health hazards and a model for working out the risk index (RI) indicating enterprises' conceptual risk level was established and used to categorize the enterprises.ResultsIn 72.3% of cases, training takes place concurrently with task performances and in 67.4% experienced workers conduct the trainings. There is disparity between employers' opinion on competence level of the workers and reality. Lower conceptual level of importance was observed for cleaning enterprises of different sizes compared with regional safety delegates and occupational hygienists. Risk index values show no difference in risk level between small and large enterprises.ConclusionTraining of cleaning workers lacks the prerequisite for suitability and effectiveness to counter risks of chemical health hazards. There is dereliction of duty by management in the sector resulting in a lack of competence among the cleaning workers. Instituting acceptable easily attainable safety competence level for cleaners will conduce to risk reduction, and enforcement of attainment of the competence level would be a positive step.

Objectives: Cleaning products are considered less hazardous than those used in other sectors. Suppliers and distributors are less conscientious when it comes to informing users on health risks. The aim of the study was to elaborate on the usefulness and clarity of information in the safety data sheets (SDS) for cleaning products, and considering if the use of these SDSs can be seen as a risk factor towards occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in the sector. Material and Methods: Safety data sheets were selected based on the risk level of the product assigned in an industrial sector scheme. 320 SDSs for cleaning products were reviewed. Constituent components found in the products over a given threshold were listed and available information thereof used to assess the perceived non-hazard consideration of the chemicals. Results: The contents of the SDSs was generic and mostly incomplete. Safety measures and health information lacked sufficient specificity despite varying compositions and concentrations of components. There is generally incompatibility between mentioned sections on the suggested non-hazardous nature of the products and health effects. Not all substances used in these products have harmonized classifications, which makes them open to various classification of the products and the suggested safety measures. This results in different companies classifying similar products differently. Risk management measures and suggested personal protective equipment (PPEs) are given haphazardly. Physical properties relevant to risk assessment are not included. Conclusions: The safety data sheets are ambiguous, and they lack relevant and important information. Inadequate information and risk assessment concerning the products can lead to workers being exposed to hazardous chemicals. Underestimation of the hazard contribution of the components of the products and the insufficient, non-objective mention of appropriate control and protective measures are the major contributing elements. There is a need to test the products in order to establish health effects and product specific safety measures.

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Presentation of an approach for risk characterisation of exposure to chemicals in cleaning work 1 Introduction The association between use of chemicals in cleaning sector and increasing asthma cases among cleaners is becoming more apparent (Folletti et al 2014; Siracusa et al 2013; Vizkaya 2011; Medina-Ramon et al 2005) This is also the case with prevalence of occupational contact dermatitis (Bauer 2013; Carøe et al 2014). In a literature review by Charles et al (2009), of 35 epidemiological studies, 26 were for respiratory diseases (17) and dermatitis ( 9) and these were associated with cleaning agents, wet work and latex. In yet another review, Jaakkola and Jaakkola ( 2006) concluded that studies strengthen the evidence of an increased asthma risk among cleaners or workers in other jobs in which they are involved in cleaning. Assessing the risk of exposure to chemicals in the sector in order to establish good work practices is important to both the employers and their employees. Different methods and strategies have been developed over time to assess the risk of the chemicals used at various workplaces (

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There are significant comprehension disparities in the understanding of the concept of work ability. Correct understanding of the concepts and constructs in a given regulatory framework are tantamount to the proper implementation of the requirements of the regulation provisions. There is a need to streamline and improve the understanding of OSH professionals in order to ensure uniformity of purpose, and hence fulfilment of the vision of the regulation in focus.

Workers handling chemicals need to understand the risk to health involved in their work, and this requires training. In this study effectivity of concept attainment teaching methodology (CATM) as training strategy for cleaning workers was assessed. CATM was used to train workers on chemicals information and health hazards. Pictures, illustrations, and hazards/precautionary statements presentations were used in reception-based strategy, while printed pictures and information cards on chemicals health hazards were used in selection-based strategy. The experimental group was given a pre-training test which was repeated on completion of the training (post-test1). The test was repeated after a month to determine level of knowledge retention. Cleaner (n=307) from hospitals, a municipality and from a privately-run company took part. Certified cleaners and supervisors, the control group, were also tested. The tests scores were compared to assess for learning attainment and knowledge retention. Compared mean scores showed improved scores after training. ANOVA of the group means showed the differences were statistically significant. The objectives of the training were met, and with good knowledge retention as indicated by the improved scores in the post-tests. This indicates the efficacy of the method in training cleaning workers.

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